Over 25,000 Irish people now live in Canada. That’s more than the population of Kilkenny! Meanwhile, Canada’s planning to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents this year. So yeah, there’s definitely room for you too. If you have an interest in moving to Canada from Ireland, then this article is for you.
Let’s get right into it!
Why Canada?
The truth remains that you could move anywhere. But here’s the thing about Canada – it actually delivers on its promises. Universal healthcare? Check. Decent wages? Check. Your kids won’t bankrupt you going to university? Also check.
Plus, you won’t spend months learning a new language like you would in Germany or France. Sure, Quebec’s different, but most of Canada speaks English. That’s one less headache when you’re already dealing with immigration paperwork.
The Canadian government isn’t shy about wanting skilled workers either. They’ve made moving to Canada from Ireland pretty straightforward if you know what you’re doing. Let’s talk about how.
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What are Your Options when Moving to Canada from Ireland?
Working Holiday Visa
If you’re between 18 and 35, this is your golden ticket. Ireland has a deal with Canada that lets you work there for up to two years. No job offer needed. No employer restrictions. Just show up with CAD $2,500 in your account and you’re good to go.
The 2025 applications opened in December, and honestly? Get in early. They do random draws throughout the year, but being in the pool longer gives you more chances to get picked.
Here’s what you need:
- CAD $85 for the visa fee
- CAD $2,500 accessible funds
- Health insurance (they help you sort this)
- Clean criminal record
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Express Entry
Now, if you want to stay permanently, Express Entry is where it’s at. Think of it like a points-based game where you compete with people from around the world. But don’t worry, Irish applicants often do well because of education levels and English skills.
The system looks at your age, education, work experience, and language abilities. Younger is better (sorry, but it’s true). University degrees help and work experience in skilled jobs counts big time.
However, there’s a catch. Starting spring 2025, job offers won’t give you as many points as before. That means your education and experience become even more important.
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Provincial Programs
Every province runs its own immigration program too. And honestly? Sometimes these are faster than Express Entry. If you’re a nurse, teacher, or work in tech, provinces will practically roll out the red carpet.
Getting picked by a province adds 600 points to your Express Entry score. That basically guarantees you’ll get invited to apply for permanent residence. It’s like having a cheat code.
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Family Route
If you have family in Canada already, then you are just lucky. Spouses, parents, kids, even some siblings can sponsor you. The paperwork’s still annoying, but at least you skip the points competition.
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Moving to Canada from Ireland- Step by Step Guide
Step 1: Pick Your Path
Don’t just jump into the first program you see. Think about it properly. Are you young and just want an adventure? Then you should go for the Working Holiday visa. If you want to move permanently but test the waters first? You can start with Working Holiday, then switch to Express Entry later.
The Canadian work experience you’ll get from a Working Holiday visa is pure gold for permanent residence applications. Trust me on this one.
Step 2: Start Collecting Documents
Canadian immigration runs on paperwork. Lots of it. So, start gathering these now:
- Your passport (obvious, but make sure it’s not expiring soon).
- Educational credentials assessment – this takes forever, so start early.
- Language test results, even though you speak English.
- Police checks from Ireland and anywhere else you’ve lived for six months or more.
- Then there’s medical exams, proof of funds, and work reference letters.
The whole process feels like you’re applying for MI6, but stick with it.
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Step 3: Build Your Online Profile
Express Entry is usually online through the government website. You fill out a form about your life, and their computer calculates a score. Don’t panic if it seems low at first – there are ways to bump it up.
Want better scores? Learn some French. Get additional certifications. Gain more work experience. Or better yet, get a provincial nomination.
Step 4: Play the Waiting Game
Once your profile’s live, you join thousands of other hopefuls waiting for an invitation. Canada holds draws every couple of weeks, usually inviting the highest-scoring candidates.
Recent draws have been around 500-540 points, but this changes depending on what Canada needs. Healthcare workers and tech people often get priority.
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Step 5: Submit Everything
If you got your invitation, congratulations! Now you have 60 days to submit your full application. This isn’t the time to rush – mistakes can sink your application completely.
Processing takes about six months, though some take longer. Use this time to research where you want to live and start job hunting.
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What You’ll Actually Spend When Moving from Canada to Ireland
Moving to Canada from Ireland costs a lot of money upfront, but knowing the numbers helps you plan properly instead of getting nasty surprises later.
| Cost | Item | Amount (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Fees | Express Entry Application | $1,365 | For single applicants |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee | $515 | Paid after approval | |
| Biometrics | $85 | One-time fee | |
| Medical Exams | $300-500 | Per person | |
| Police Clearances | Varies | From each country lived in 6+ months | |
| Settlement Funds | Single Person | $14,690 | Must be readily available |
| Family of 2 | $18,288 | Spouse/partner included | |
| Family of 3 | $22,483 | Two adults + one child | |
| Family of 4 | $27,297 | Two adults + two children | |
| Each Additional Person | +$3,706 | Per additional family member | |
| Monthly Living Costs | Temporary Accommodation | $2,000-4,000 | Furnished rentals |
| Phone Plan | $50-80 | Monthly ongoing | |
| Public Transportation | $150-200 | Monthly passes | |
| Private Health Insurance | $75-150 | Until provincial coverage starts | |
| One-Time Setup Costs | Security Deposits | 2 months rent | First and last month upfront |
| Winter Clothing | $500-1,000 | Essential for survival | |
| Initial Household Items | $1,000-2,500 | Basics until shipping arrives |
Remember the government wants to see you can survive without immediately going on social assistance. Fair enough. But the money needs to be sitting in your account, not tied up in your house or investments.
Most people use savings accounts or GICs (basically Canadian term deposits). The amounts change every year, so double-check the latest figures before applying.
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Picking where to live after Moving to Canada from Ireland
Canada is massive. It is literally bigger than all of Europe combined, but most Irish people end up in a handful of places. Here’s the lowdown:
| City/Province | Best For | Climate | Housing Cost | Key Industries | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto, Ontario | First-time immigrants | Cold winters, warm summers | Very High | Finance, tech, media | Excellent jobs, multicultural, great transit | Expensive housing, traffic |
| Vancouver, BC | Outdoor enthusiasts | Mild, wet winters, dry summers | Very High | Tech, film, tourism | Beautiful scenery, mild weather | High cost of living, rain |
| Calgary, Alberta | Energy professionals | Cold winters, warm summers | Moderate | Oil & gas, agriculture, tech | Good salaries, no provincial tax | Harsh winters, oil-dependent economy |
| Montreal, Quebec | Bilingual speakers | Cold winters, humid summers | Low-Moderate | Aerospace, gaming, AI | Affordable, unique culture | French required, higher taxes |
| Ottawa, Ontario | Government workers | Cold winters, warm summers | Moderate | Government, tech | Stable employment, bilingual bonus | Limited private sector |
| Halifax, Nova Scotia | Small-city lovers | Mild winters, cool summers | Low | Maritime, education, tech | Ocean access, friendly locals | Limited job market |
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Getting Your Qualifications Recognized
This is where things get frustrating. Many professions need Canadian licensing, even if you’re fully qualified in Ireland. If you have a profession in the lines of being a Doctor, nurse, engineer, teacher, then you have a lot of licensing hoops to jump through.
Start researching your profession’s requirements early. Some licensing bodies offer bridging programs to help international professionals meet Canadian standards faster. It’s annoying, but it’s the price of admission.
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Practical Stuff You Need to Know when Moving to Canada from Ireland
Money Matters
Open a Canadian bank account ASAP. Your Irish credit history doesn’t follow you, so you’re starting from scratch. Some banks have newcomer packages that waive fees and make getting credit cards easier.
Building credit takes time. Get a secured credit card if needed and pay it off religiously. Good credit matters for renting apartments, getting car loans, and sometimes even jobs.
Your Social Insurance Number
You can’t work legally without a SIN. Apply at any Service Canada office as soon as you arrive. It’s free and takes about 10 business days to get mailed to you.
Don’t give your SIN to anyone except employers and government agencies. Guard it like your PPS number back home.
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Finding a Place to Live
The rental market in big cities is brutal. Start looking before you arrive if possible. Facebook groups, Kijiji, and Rentals.ca are where most people search.
Landlords want employment verification and references. As a newcomer, you might need to pay several months upfront or find a guarantor. Furnished short-term places give you breathing room to find something permanent.
Getting Around
Public transport varies wildly. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have excellent systems. Smaller cities often require cars for basic errands.
You can use your Irish license temporarily (usually 60-90 days), then you need a Canadian one. Some provinces recognize Irish licenses and make testing easier, but rules change frequently.
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What you Need to Know about Tax when Moving to Canada from Ireland
Moving to Canada from Ireland creates tax obligations in both countries initially. Fun, right? You’ll become a Canadian tax resident once you establish significant ties here – basically when you have a home, family, or spend most of your time in Canada.
Both countries have a tax treaty preventing double taxation, but you’ll still file returns in both places during your first year. Seriously consider hiring a professional who knows cross-border tax issues. It’s worth every penny to avoid mistakes.
Canadian tax rates range from 20-50% depending on income and province. But lots of things are deductible, including moving expenses, professional development, and childcare costs.
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Dealing with Challenges when Moving to Canada from Ireland
Winter Will Test You
Irish winters are nothing compared to Canadian ones. We’re talking -20°C for weeks on end. Good winter gear isn’t optional – it’s survival equipment.
Many Irish immigrants struggle with seasonal depression during the long, dark winters. Light therapy lamps help. So do vitamin D supplements and staying active. Some people escape to warmer places for a week or two in February.
Missing Home
Homesickness hits everyone differently. Video calls help, but the five-hour time difference is annoying. Finding your local Irish community makes a huge difference, but don’t just hang out with other Irish people. Making Canadian friends helps you integrate faster.
Professional Frustrations
Getting Irish qualifications recognized is often slower and more expensive than expected. Start early and budget for additional training or exams. Many professional bodies offer bridging programs, but they take time and money.
Don’t get discouraged if you have to take a step back professionally at first. Most Irish immigrants find their careers recover and often surpass what they had back home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bring my pet when moving to Canada from Ireland?
A: Yes, but pets need health certificates, vaccinations, and possible quarantine periods depending on species and health.
Q: Do I need to convert my Irish driving license immediately?
A: Most provinces allow 60-90 days with Irish licenses, then require Canadian licenses through simplified testing.
Q: Can I sponsor my elderly parents right away?
A: Parent sponsorship requires meeting income thresholds for three consecutive years and demonstrating financial stability first.
Q: What happens if my Express Entry application gets refused?
A: You can reapply after fixing refusal reasons, or explore Provincial Nominee Programs as alternatives.
Q: Do Irish university degrees automatically transfer to Canadian equivalents?
A: No, you need Educational Credential Assessment through designated organizations to verify equivalency for immigration.
Q: Can I start a business immediately as a permanent resident?
A: Yes, permanent residents have same business rights as citizens, including company registration and loans.
Q: How long before I can travel freely between Ireland and Canada?
A: As permanent resident, travel freely but maintain residency obligations of 730 days per five-year period.
Conclusion
Moving to Canada from Ireland is a big deal. You’ll miss family gatherings, proper rashers, and complaining about the weather with people who actually understand. The first winter will be rough.
But thousands of Irish people have done this successfully and built amazing lives in Canada. The opportunities for personal and professional growth often make up for what you leave behind. Just be realistic about the challenges and patient with the process.
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