Moving from Dubai to Canada

Moving from Dubai to Canada

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for UAE-based professionals and families — thanks to its clear, points-based permanent-residency routes, strong economy and high quality of life. Relocate MENA manages the move from the UAE to Canada end to end: exit formalities in the Emirates, shipping and settler’s-effects customs, immigration, and settling in. Here is what to plan for.

Before you leave the UAE

We coordinate your departure from the UAE so nothing is left open: residence-visa cancellation, ending your tenancy and Ejari, closing utility and bank accounts, and collecting and attesting the education, professional and civil documents your Canadian application needs.

Immigration routes to Canada

  • Express Entry — the main route for UAE residents without a Canadian employer. It is a points-based system (CRS) leading directly to permanent residency, with category-based draws that reward specific in-demand occupations and experience.
  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) — a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and effectively guarantees an invitation; useful if your occupation is in demand in a particular province.
  • Work permit — if you have a Canadian job offer (often through an intra-company transfer with a multinational), you can apply for a work permit while your PR runs in parallel.

Our immigration team assesses your CRS profile, recommends the right route, and prepares the application and document attestation.

Shipping your belongings and settler’s effects (BSF186)

As a new settler you can import your used personal and household effects free of duty and tax, provided you owned and used them abroad before arriving. You declare everything to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on arrival using Form BSF186, with BSF186A listing “goods to follow” (the container that arrives later). Two rules catch people out: items only qualify if they are on that original list, and you must arrive in Canada before goods sent separately. We prepare a detailed inventory and handle the process — see our Transfer of Residence to Canada (BSF186) service. By sea, transit from Jebel Ali to Vancouver is about 25–30 days; Toronto-bound shipments usually route via Montreal and rail.

Cost of living in Canada

Costs vary widely by city. As an indicative 2026 guide:

Item Indicative cost (CAD, 2026)
Single person, monthly budget ~2,500–4,000 (Vancouver/Toronto at the top)
One-bedroom rent, Vancouver / Toronto ~2,600 / ~2,450 per month
Private-school fees ~15,000–55,000+ per year

Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal are notably more affordable than Vancouver and Toronto. Figures are indicative and move with the market.

Healthcare, schools and settling in

Canada has public provincial healthcare, but several provinces apply a waiting period (often up to three months) before coverage starts, so newcomers usually take private interim insurance. Public schooling is free and allocated by area; private and international schools charge the fees above. Our home search and school search services help you choose the right neighbourhood and schools.

Pets and vehicles

Canada admits pets with the right vaccinations and documentation, which our pet relocation team manages. Importing a vehicle involves federal admissibility and provincial registration requirements, so we advise whether shipping or buying locally makes more sense and handle the vehicle relocation if you proceed.

How Relocate MENA helps you move from Dubai to Canada

One dedicated move manager handles both ends of your move — UAE exit, packing and shipping, CBSA settler’s-effects clearance, immigration, schools, pets and vehicles — so your relocation from Dubai to Canada is seamless. Request a callback and a relocation specialist will build your plan.

Frequently asked questions

What visa or immigration route do I need for Canada?

The most common route for UAE residents without a Canadian employer is Express Entry, which leads to permanent residency and needs no job offer; a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination adds 600 points. If you have a Canadian job offer you may qualify for a work permit (often via intra-company transfer). Our immigration team assesses your profile and manages the application and attestation.

Can I bring my belongings duty-free as a settler (BSF186)?

Yes. As a new settler you can import used personal and household effects free of duty and tax, provided you owned and used them abroad before arriving. You declare everything to CBSA on arrival on Form BSF186 (with BSF186A listing “goods to follow”) — crucially, items must be on that list to qualify, and you must arrive before goods shipped separately. We prepare the inventory and documentation; see our Transfer of Residence to Canada (BSF186) service.

How long does shipping from Dubai to Canada take?

By sea, transit from Jebel Ali to the Port of Vancouver is roughly 25–30 days; shipments to Toronto usually route via Montreal and onward rail. Air freight is far quicker. Your move manager confirms a realistic timeline at quotation.

How much does it cost to live in Canada?

As a 2026 guide, a single person spends roughly CAD 2,500–4,000 a month. Vancouver and Toronto are the priciest — a one-bedroom is around CAD 2,900 in Vancouver and CAD 2,550 in Toronto — while cities like Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal are more affordable. Private-school fees run from about CAD 15,000 to CAD 55,000+ a year. Figures are indicative.

What about healthcare when I arrive?

Canada has public provincial health coverage, but several provinces impose a waiting period (often up to three months) before it begins, so newcomers usually take private interim health insurance to bridge the gap.

How does Relocate MENA manage a Dubai-to-Canada move?

One dedicated move manager handles both ends: UAE exit formalities, packing and shipping, CBSA settler’s-effects clearance, immigration, and pet and vehicle relocation — so your move from Dubai to Canada is seamless.