How to migrate to Canada from Singapore: What you need to know

If you’re looking to move abroad as a new adventure, Canada may be just what you need. While the climate and natural surroundings couldn’t be much more different to home, you’ll still have access to solid city infrastructure, great healthcare and a world class education system. All with a warm welcome and the chance to hike, ski, or get involved in the local culture in your off time.

Thinking of a big move to Canada? This guide covers all you need to know including visa options, cost of living considerations, and more.

We’ll also introduce Wise and the Wise account as a smart option for Singaporeans relocating abroad. Make low cost international transfers with mid-market exchange rate¹, and open a Wise account to manage your money across borders conveniently. All that and more coming right up.

How to migrate to Canada from Singapore

As a country with a diverse and cosmopolitan population and outlook, it’s no wonder Canada is an attractive destination for Singaporeans looking to relocate. As English is an official language, communication shouldn’t be a problem - and if you’re an entrepreneur, Canada’s business friendly approach and proximity to the entire North American market is a bonus.

Toronto is a common destination for expat arrivals - as well as Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary or other key cities, based on your preferred lifestyle, career options and budget. No matter where you end up you’ll have stunning natural resources right on your doorstep, and an open and welcoming culture to enjoy. Let’s kick off with a few important things to know about how to migrate to Canada from Singapore.

Facts about Canada

To get oriented, here are a few useful facts about Canada.

Visa requirements to migrate to Canada from Singapore

There are many different visa types if you’re hoping to immigrate to Canada. The right one for you will depend on your circumstances and plans. There’s a very helpful government visa checker tool which you can use to see which visa is best for you

Here are a few important facts about 3 popular Canadian visas which may be available for Singaporeans:

Student Visa⁵:

• When to apply: Apply once you have been offered a place at an approved institution
• Costs and fees: 150 CAD application fee
• Validity period: Length of your course + 90 days in most cases
• Any other things to note? You may be able to apply to stay in Canada after graduation, to give time to find work

Employer Specific Work Permit:

• When to apply: Once you have a job with an approved employer
• Costs and fees: Variable application fee depending on the situation
• Validity period: Based on your employment details, occupation and situation
• Any other things to note? Check the Canada work permitrequirements, based on your specific situation here⁶

Open Work Permit:

• When to apply: Apply without needing a job agreed in advance
• Costs and fees: Variable application fee depending on the situation
• Validity period: Based on your points score and personal situation - could be a route to PR status
• Any other things to note? Check the Canada work permitrequirements, based on your specific situation here

Some of the common routes to get permission to live and work in Canada are offered on a points based system. You’ll need to fulfil the minimum requirements set out for entry by the Canadian government, and then will be pooled with other applicants after providing documents showing your eligibility. If you rank highly in the points system you’re more likely to be issued your visa.

How to get a job in Canada as a Singaporean

There are a wide range of potential employment positions in Canada - but crucially, you’ll need to make sure your potential employer can sponsor your visa application in most situations. This can make it trickier to find a job - but starting out looking online on reputable local and international job boards can give you a foot up. Here are a few to consider:

• LinkedIn - Hugely popular employment networking site
• Indeed - Umbrella website with jobs all over the globe
• Jobbank - Government issued resource, not all jobs are suited to foreign applicants, but it’s a good place to get advice and ideas
• Jobboom - Search for local positions in Canada and get advice on the job market
• Eluta.ca - platform for job seekers looking for a position with one of the top 100 employers in Canada

Getting residency in Canada for Singaporeans

If you’re thinking of moving to Canada for keeps, you’ll usually need to achieve PR status first.

Citizenship is an option for people who already have PR status, and who have lived in Canada for at least 3 of the past 5 years. You’ll need to prove your English or French language ability, pass a citizenship test and interview, and take an oath of citizenship.

Here are some of the routes to Canadian permanent residency which you might consider;

What else do I need to know before I migrate to Canada from Singapore?

An international move will require a good amount of research. Make sure you know what to expect, and have plans in place to deal with the unexpected surprises which will also come your way. Here are a few helpful facts and topics to consider when you’re planning your relocation.

Cost of living in Canada

While the cost of living in Canada can vary between cities, the averages favour Canada significantly. Ontario’s capital city, Toronto, is a popular choice for migrants. The economic opportunities here make it attractive, and the costs aren’t so bad once you're used to the price of life here in Singapore.

Over on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver is one of the most diverse cities in Canada - and another natural choice for people looking to relocate. Costs are reasonable - and with mountains and the sea all nearby, you’re spoiled for choice if you’re an outdoorsy type.

Here are the headlines:

• Excluding rent, life in Toronto is around 17.5% cheaper than in Singapore⁷
• Including rent in Toronto, life is a massive 23.7% lower than in Singapore, on average
• Excluding rent, Vancouver is 15.7% cheaper than Singapore⁸
• Including rent in Vancouver, life is 19.2% cheaper than in Singapore on average

And here’s a bit more detail on the sort of average prices you may expect⁹:

Housing in Canada

Rent will eat up a lot of your budget no matter where you move to. It can help to get a feel for the costs of rental in Canada before you move, by browsing some options online based on your preferred locations. Here are a few handy sites to consider:

• Liv.rent - describes itself as Canada’s safest rental platform
• Rentcafe - international site with good listings for major Canadian cities
• Craigslist - classified site, including apartment options and house shares

Manage your money after moving to Canada from Singapore with Wise

Once you arrive in Canada you can open a local bank account easily enough - but if you need ways to manage your CAD conversions and spending before you leave, try a Wise account.

Hold 40+ currencies with [Wise](https://wise.com/sg/account, and switch between them with just your phone or laptop, using the mid-market rate with low fees from 0.33%. Plus, you get account details for select currencies including CAD and SGD to receive transfers right to your Wise account - handy if you’ll be getting paid by a Canadian employer, or if you expect someone back home to send you money from time to time.

Make international transfers to 160+ countries and order a linked Wise card for spending and withdrawals. And once you’re settled in your new home, use Wise to convert and send SGD to CAD or vice versa, with the [mid-market rate](https://wise.com/sg/mid-market-rate and low, transparent fees

🚀 Get started with Wise