Moving to Canada checklist and tips

Moving to Canada? Congratulations! It’s a huge and exciting step, but it can also be daunting. You’re moving your whole life, after all. One easy way to get ready and pack for moving is to approach it with a plan.To help you make sure you’ve got everything covered (and avoid getting overwhelmed) we’ve put together this moving checklist. Starting from three months out to D-day, these moving and packing tips and tricks should help make your move stress free.

Moving to Canada tips

These are our best moving tips to help you start planning.

• Don’t start packing too early – you’ll inevitably pack things you need. But also don’t leave everything to the last minute. Our checklist spaces things over 3 months.
• Get official details about immigration and visas from the Canadian government website.
• Don’t pack until you know what you can take! Check the rules at the customs website
• It gets hot in summer and freezing (even below freezing) in winter. Know what the climate is in the region you’re moving to, and pack accordingly for the seasons!
• If you don’t have a job secured, be warned that the job application process can take a while. Be prepared to take time while you establish connections and look for work in your new home.
• See if you’ll be eligible for Canada’s public health care. If not, think about private health insurance.

Want some more info about what to expect and how to prepare? Take a look at our guide to moving to canada.

Packing to move? Where to start

Three months

• Book your airline tickets and hotels
• Start looking at the housing market and research areas
• If you have kids, let their school know you’re moving and request any paperwork and transfer certificates you may need
• For pets, check quarantine and vaccination requirements
• Research professional relocation consultants and get quotes
• Check paperwork requirements for your new country – visas in particular – and make sure your passport won’t expire while you’re away
• Check if you need an international drivers license (and get your national one renewed if it’s due to expire)
• If you’re selling, put your house on the market; if you’re renting, let your landlord know you’re moving
• Start deciding what you really want to take and what you can put into storage or sell

Two months

• Start making a checklist of what will go into each box
• Get hard copies of all important documents (certified if necessary) and also make digital scanned copies
• Get copies of your family’s medical records from your doctor and research health care options for your new country
• Research schools for your children and start contacting them
• Put anything you’re selling on the market
• Let your bank know you’re going overseas, and start looking at overseas banking options
• Set up any payments you’ll need to make while overseas
• If you’re renting your house while you’re away, get repairs underway and put it on the market
• Start packing items you won’t need (ornaments, books, out of season clothes)
• Start planning your leaving parties you want

One – two weeks

• Make a list of essentials for the first few weeks to go into your check in and carry on luggage
• Get some local currency, or make sure you have a card that will work when you arrive
• Have all your paperwork ready
• Make sure you have any medications you can take with you, and check whether they have an alternative name in your new country
• Take apart large furniture items
• Start packing suitcases
• Confirm your accommodation arrangements for when you first arrive
• Empty and clean your fridge and freezer

Moving day

• Make sure you’ve left nothing behind in your house. This includes your passport!
• Have essentials in your carry on luggage, just in case your check in luggage is delayed
• Say your final goodbyes and invite people you like to come visit
• Confirm delivery plans with your shipping company, including date

When you step onto that plane, breathe a sigh of relief – and smile. You’re right at the beginning of an exciting journey!