How to move to Canada

Posted: Wed. Nov. 6/24

Ok, so IT happened. And if you are waking up feeling like you just walked into a theater that has a four-year horror show waiting for you, it's understandable you might be looking to get the hell out of there.

Here is your guide on how to move to Canada, written by a journalist who has spent his entire career educating and inspiring people about one of the best places on earth.

Step 1: the fun part, make a road trip

Come visit, you'll want to understand the country a whole lot better, as you'll need to assess which part of the country with the world's biggest landmass you'll want to call your new home.

Grande Cache Passport to the Peaks Alberta Darrel Comeau ZenSeekers

Photo: Darrel Comeau

Canada is a big country, with tons of space to make yourself at home.

My experience is writing about places in Canada's west, provinces including Alberta and British Columbia (we call it BC).

These are both provinces north of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho. Home to more hikes, golf courses, lakes, beaches and ski resorts to count, Canada's West is a magnet for those interested in Alberta's "cowboy culture" (home to the Calgary Stampede) or BC, an outdoor recreation paradise.

Exploring the bay at Kiix̣in Village and Fortress National Historic Site of Canada.

Photo: Chris Istace

The provinces of Western Canada are rich in natural beauty.

Organizations like Travel Alberta and Destination BC (the provincial tourism boards) both offer easy itineraries you might just want to put to use… tomorrow!

Hit the road spontaneously, we @ZenSeekers dare yah!

Use this moment to embrace the spirit of adventure and explore new horizons.

"Oh, the places you will go," a Dr Suess quote that couldn't be more appropriate when you are getting ready to travel Canada.

Step 2: sign up for our ZenSeekers or SnowSeekers newsletters

Keep your inbox filled with inspiration and more education as for the past 16 years our online magazines ZenSeekers, and our winter-focused SnowSeekers, have been publishing engaging stories with itineraries and how-tos for understanding Canada's Western way of life.

Get outdoors, get more connected, get more Zen.

Get a look at the good life showcasing Western Canada's transformative and winter travel, destination experiences and cultures.

Sign up to ZenSeekers

Sign up to SnowSeekers

You'll quickly find that you belong within our community of engaged, outdoor-focused travelers and lifestyle seekers.

Step 3 - contact the Canadian Consulate and activate your dreaming

Are you a skilled laborer? Did you know you can gain Express Entry?

Photo: Chris Istace

Skilled trades are one of several in-demand types of work in Canada. See if you might be eligible for express entry.

When you get serious about making the move you may want to hire an immigration consultant or representative—you don't need one by requirement but they know the system and will have "keys to doors" in moving forward your interest that you might not know about.

Step 4: apply for your Canadian Citizenship

Here is the link to get your application started.

When you're ready, start the process of applying for citizenship.

This will not be a process that happens tomorrow. That's okay. Come visit, spend a month traveling around, get into some of the areas outside of our big cities. Learn and experience unique destinations; we have soooo much more than Whistler and Banff.

Starting your journey today through a quality Canadian road trip not only blows off some steam from the past few months of the kooky election cycle, but it will also open your eyes to a whole new world…

Welcome to Canada.

Let us know what you find—while on the road we encourage you to share your adventures on social media and include the hashtags #zenseekers or #snowseekers so we can follow your journey.

About the writer

Jim Barr (aka Doc Pow) has been a travel journalist for over 25 years. He heads up the team at Seekers Media, publishers of online magazines such as ZenSeekers and SnowSeekers.

He makes his living encouraging people to get outside and "take a load off." The entire reason he started his company almost two decades ago was to give people an outlet for their stress to be washed away by getting on a chair lift, or out for that next hike or nature walk.