How Much Does It Cost to Move from the UK to Canada in 2026
Moving from the UK to Canada is rarely a single bill. It is a chain of costs spread across visas, shipping, flights, settling-in expenses and the first few months of rent before your first Canadian payslip arrives. Underestimate any one of these and the move feels harder than it should.
This guide breaks down what each part actually costs in 2026, with figures verified against IRCC’s current fee schedule and Anglo Pacific’s pricing. For the full context on visas, healthcare and where to live, see our pillar guide on moving to Canada from the UK.
| Costs current as of April 2026
Visa fees, exchange rates and shipping prices all move during the year. The figures here reflect IRCC’s published fee schedule, Anglo Pacific’s container rates, Always request a quote close to your actual move date and verify visa fees at canada.ca before transferring funds. |
Cost 1: Visas and immigration fees
Your visa cost depends entirely on the route you take. The Working Holiday route is the cheapest at around £270 in total fees, while a family of four going through Express Entry can expect to spend close to £3,000 on visa and assessment fees before they leave the UK.
Indicative visa fees in GBP
- Working Holiday (IEC) per person: £155, plus £45 biometrics and £55 open work permit holder fee.
- Express Entry primary applicant: £865 application plus £345 right of permanent residence fee.
- Express Entry spouse: £865 application plus £345 RPRF.
- Express Entry dependent child: £230 each.
- Educational Credential Assessment: £100 to £180 per applicant.
- Language test (IELTS General or CELPIP): £200 to £230 per sitting.
- Police clearance from ACRO: £65 standard or £155 express.
- Medical exam with a panel physician: £250 to £400 per adult.
- Immigration consultant (recommended but optional): £1,500 to £3,000.
Cost 2: Shipping your belongings
Shipping is the single biggest variable. The right service depends on how much you are moving and how soon you need it.
Full container shipment (20ft container)
A 20ft container holds the contents of a typical three-bedroom UK home (around 28 to 32 cubic metres). Door-to-door pricing in 2026 typically falls between £4,800 and £6,200 to Halifax, Montreal or Toronto. Transit time is around four to six weeks. This is the right choice if you want to ship everything and settle in from day one.
Shared container (groupage) service
Your belongings travel in a container shared with other UK customers heading to Canada. Pricing is £2,400 to £3,800 for 10 to 15 cubic metres, which suits couples, downsizers and partial households. Transit is six to eight weeks because the container only sails when full.
Baggage and box shipments
For students, working holiday visa holders, or anyone shipping just personal effects, baggage shipping moves boxes, suitcases and small items door to door. A typical box (60 by 50 by 40cm) costs £75 to £110 depending on weight and destination. Faster than freight, with most shipments arriving in two to four weeks. Full pricing is on our baggage shipping to Canada page.
Air freight
Significantly faster (5 to 10 days) but five to eight times more expensive per kilogram than sea freight. Worth it for a small, urgent shipment of essentials, but not practical for a household move.
Full cost breakdown for a typical family of four
| Cost item | Indicative cost (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Express Entry visas (family of four) | £2,650 | Includes RPRF for two adults and processing for two children |
| ECA, language tests, police, medical | £950 | Combined upfront assessments |
| Anglo Pacific full 20ft container | £5,400 | Door to door, including packing and customs |
| Flights (family of four, one-way) | £2,200 | Off-peak; can rise to £4,000 in peak summer |
| First three months rental + bond (Calgary) | £5,800 | First month plus deposit plus next two months |
| First three months rental + bond (Toronto) | £8,500 | Significantly higher in major hubs |
| Setup costs (furniture top-up, transport, schooling) | £2,500 | Initial purchases before pay starts |
| Health insurance during 90-day waiting period | £600 | BC, Ontario, Quebec, NB only |
| Indicative total (Calgary) | £20,100 | |
| Indicative total (Toronto) | £22,800 |
|
Cost 3: The currency factor
The GBP to CAD exchange rate has averaged $1.85 across the first four months of 2026, with a 12-month range of roughly $1.80 to $1.89. A 5p movement on £30,000 of transferred savings represents a £900 swing in your final position. Anglo Pacific works with Halo Financial, an FCA-authorised currency partner since 2004. They can lock in rates with forward contracts (useful when your move date is months away) and avoid the spreads charged by high-street banks on international transfers. We always recommend speaking with them before transferring meaningful sums.
Where to spend versus where to save
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Use a registered immigration consultant if your route is complex
+ Book Anglo Pacific shipping eight weeks before move date for best rates + Lock currency rates with a forward contract through Halo Financial + Pay for the express ACRO police certificate if you are tight on time + Choose mid-sized cities for significantly cheaper rentals + Book flights three months ahead to avoid peak summer pricing |
– Cutting corners on packing materials risks damage on a six-week voyage
– Last-minute shipping bookings cost 20 to 30% more – Skipping medical insurance for the 90-day wait is genuinely risky – Underestimating rental bonds creates cash flow problems on arrival – Bank-to-bank international transfers are usually the most expensive option – Buying everything new on arrival costs more than shipping it |
Five ways to keep your costs down
- Declutter ruthlessly before quoting your shipment. The less volume, the lower the cost. Anglo Pacific’s shared container service is up to 40% cheaper than a full 20ft for the same household.
- Fly off-peak. May, September and October flights to Canada cost 30 to 40% less than July to August departures.
- Consider a smaller starter city. Calgary, Halifax and Edmonton all offer rentals around half the price of Toronto or Vancouver, with strong job markets in their own right.
- Pre-arrange Canadian banking through a UK newcomer programme. Most major Canadian banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) let you start the application before you arrive.
- Time your currency transfer with a professional. A forward contract through Halo Financial can lock today’s rate for a transfer date up to 12 months away.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much does it cost to ship a container from the UK to Canada in 2026?
A full 20ft container door to door costs between £4,800 and £6,200 in 2026, depending on destination port and time of year. A shared container service for partial households costs £2,400 to £3,800. Both prices include packing, sea freight, customs clearance and delivery to your new Canadian address.
2. How much does it cost to ship boxes from the UK to Canada?
Anglo Pacific’s baggage and box shipping service typically costs £75 to £110 per standard box (60 by 50 by 40cm) door to door, depending on weight and destination. This is the most cost-effective option for students, working holiday visa holders, or anyone shipping just personal effects rather than a full household.
3. How much money should I bring to Canada from the UK?
Most provincial guidelines suggest a single mover should arrive with at least CAD $13,000 to $15,000 (around £7,000 to £8,000) to cover the first three months. A family of four should plan for CAD $25,000 to $30,000 (around £13,500 to £16,200). This is on top of upfront visa, shipping and flight costs.
4. Are there any hidden costs when moving to Canada?
The most commonly missed costs are the rental bond (typically equal to one month’s rent in most provinces), private health insurance during the 90-day provincial waiting period (CAD $90 to $180 per person per month), and credit card setup costs because your UK credit history does not transfer. Budget an additional £1,000 to £2,000 for these.
5. Can I import my car from the UK to Canada?
Yes, but it must meet Transport Canada’s vehicle import standards. Most cars over 15 years old qualify automatically. Newer cars must comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which often requires modifications. Total cost typically ranges £3,000 to £5,000 once shipping, modifications, RIV programme fee, GST and provincial sales tax are included. For most movers, it is cheaper to sell the UK car and buy in Canada.
