Visa & residency options
Federal Skilled Worker / CEC / FSTP ranked by CRS score.
Designated incubator/VC endorsement; direct PR for founders + family.
Provincial streams for occupations in demand.
Work permit for executives, managers, specialised knowledge.
Residency: PR via Express Entry or PNP; citizenship after 3 years as PR (within 5).
Tax & cost of living
Federal 15–33% + provincial; effective top rate ~53% (Nova Scotia). Tax-free TFSA and RRSP shelters available.
- Rent (1BR city): CA$2,000–$3,200
- Meal out: CA$20
- Transport pass: CA$130/mo Toronto TTC
Banking & business setup
RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC offer newcomer packages — open account with passport + visa pre-arrival. Wealthsimple Cash for digital.
Federal incorporation CA$200 online via Corporations Canada, or provincial (Ontario CA$300). 1 director (no residency requirement in some provinces). Corporate tax 15% federal + provincial.
Living in country
Toronto and Vancouver among world's most expensive; prairies (Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg) and Atlantic Canada far more affordable.
Universal provincial (OHIP Ontario, RAMQ Quebec, MSP BC) — 3-month wait in some provinces; private supplement for dental/vision.
Strong K-12 public; top universities (UofT, McGill, UBC) ~CA$7k Canadian / CA$30k–$60k international.
Tech (Shopify, Wealthsimple, AI hubs Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver), mining, finance (Big Five banks), healthcare.