Moving to Canada from Singapore? Our Complete How to Move to Canada from Singapore Checklist is a foolproof list of easy-to- follow, chronologically ordered tasks designed to help ensure you and your family enjoy a smooth, stress-free move to Canada.
Follow our comprehensive step-by- step checklist, which starts from six months prior to your move, right through to once you have arrived in Canada, to avoid the logistical and legal pitfalls of moving to Canada from Singapore.
Our moving to Canada checklist includes over 60 detailed steps, from applying for a visa and {organising-noun} your move, right through to connecting your utilities and opening a bank account. Tick off each item in our moving to Canada from Singapore checklist for the most efficient, well-planned, and hassle-free international move possible.
As the largest removals company in the world, with over 1,000 service centres across 180 countries, UniGroup Worldwide International Movers will help make your move to Canada as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With over 85 years' experience, successfully delivering 48,000 international shipments annually, our overseas removals experts can help ensure your safe, seamless stress-free move to Canada from Singapore.
UniGroup moving Singaporeans to Canada carefully and hassle-free
For your convenience, you may:
Checking your passport's expiry date
When moving from Singapore to Canada, you must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of your intended stay. So, if you intend to stay in Canada for 12 months, your passport must be valid for 18 months, considering the time required to process your visa (which could be upwards of six months).
If your passport is not valid for a minimum of 12 months beyond the period of your intended stay, you may need to apply for a new passport.
Singapore citizens can apply for passports from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). New passports are valid for five years.
You can apply for a passport or renew your existing passport using the Application for Passport On-line Electronic System (APPLES) e-Service, although a SingPass is required. You will need the following to complete your application:
Applying for your Canada visa
You must obtain a visa before arriving on Australian soil. To do so, you must:
For further information visit How to Apply for a Australian Visa in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
When moving to Canada from Singapore, once you have been granted a work permit, you’ll need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). A SIN is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada and access to government programs and benefits.
For further information visit How to Apply for a Social Insurance Number in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Canada is a huge country, with a population of over 36 million people spread across some 10 million km2 (3.8 million square miles). If you’re not moving from Singapore to Canada to a specific location for work, you’ll need to decide where to live.
For further information on factors to consider when deciding where to live visit How to Decide Where to Live in Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
When it comes to knowing how to move to Canada, an important step is establishing approximately when you need to move, considering:
For further information, visit the When is the Best Time to Move to Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
If you’re not moving to Canada from Singapore permanently, you’ll need to decide what to do with your current home:
There are several factors that you’ll need to consider when making this decision, particularly if you own your home. Some of the most important factors include:
Choosing a real estate agent is an important decision in selling or renting out your home. If you opt to sell, your real estate agent will handle advertising, inspections, the auction, and negotiating private offers. If you choose to rent out your home, your real estate agent will manage the property on your behalf, handling repairs and liaising with your tenants long-term. So, you need to choose carefully.
To shortlist real estate agents:
If possible, take an exploratory trip to Canada to better understand what lies ahead. During the trip:
Putting your current home on the market
If you’ve decided to sell or rent out your current home, as soon as your visa is approved, engage the services of your preferred real estate agent. It is at this stage that you’ll sign a contract with your agent. This contract should outline items such as fees, advertising costs, the process if your home is passed in at auction, property management protocols, and much more. It is recommended that you seek legal advice to ensure you are happy with the terms of the contract.
If you’re selling or renting out your current home, you’ll need to put it on the market. Some of the steps involved in this process include:
If you’re selling or renting out your home, you’ll want to do everything you can to secure the best possible price. As such, you’ll need to undertake some preparations to ensure that your property looks the best it possibly can, in both advertising photos and during inspections. Consider:
Decide which of your belongings you’ll be shipping to Canada, leaving in your current home, storing, selling, donating and disposing of. (And make sure you speak to your UniGroup expert if you require short or long-term secure storage.).
Create a detailed inventory of all the items that you want to move to Canada to obtain accurate removals quotes and to determine how much would it cost to move to Canada. Your UniGroup moving expert can assist you with an easy-to-fill-out form.
For further information visit How Much Does It Cost to Move to Canada? and How to Ship Household Goods to Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Obtaining a quote from an experienced international removalist
Container ships move in six different directions, often travelling over 20m (65ft) with each roll, as often as seven to 10 times per minute. So, with your belongings being tossed about for weeks on end, it’s essential that you entrust your move to an exceptionally experienced international removals company such as UniGroup Worldwide.
If you obtain a quote from another international removalist, ensure they exhibit the same level of experience and capabilities as UniGroup Worldwide, including:
For further information visit How Much Does It Cost to Move to Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Given the extensive movement of sea freight and potential for damage if belongings are not properly packed, combined with the introduction of strict anti-terrorism laws and significant tightening of customs clearance processes for all personal effects shipments, UniGroup strongly recommends that you do not ship items to Canada that have not been packed by a professional moving company. The significantly higher potential for loss and damage of ‘owner packed’ items, as well as attracting stringent inspection by customs officials, often results in additional charges and long delays.
Once you’ve decided on where, when, and what you want to move, book in:
For further information visit When is the Best Time to Move to Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
If you are storing any of your belongings while overseas, make sure you store them properly, safely and securely with a trusted and experienced short and long-term storage provider such as UniGroup Worldwide.
To help ensure your belongings are stored properly and safely, so they remain in their best condition, insist on the following criteria when selecting a storage provider:
Once you’ve decided on a secure storage provider, book in:
Review the contents of your freezer and pantry and create meal plans that will empty them prior to moving.
Making travel arrangements to Canada
To save money on your travel arrangements:
If you plan on searching for your home once you arrive in Canada, book temporary accommodation for when you first arrive. Depending on where you plan to live, you may also want to book a hire car.
Where possible, book temporary accommodation that is within walking distance to your work, or public transport. This way, all members of your family will have access to transportation.
At your child’s current school in Singapore:
For your child’s education in Canada, you’ll need to:
To assist you in finding the most appropriate school for your children, visit:
For further information visit What is the Education and Schooling System Like in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Most vehicles sold in countries other than the United States cannot be imported into Canada. If you are considering importing a vehicle into Canada that you bought in Singapore, you need to carefully review all importation requirements, and keep in mind that it is a criminal offense to import a vehicle into Canada that does not meet the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
To avoid unnecessary headaches and expenses speak to a UniGroup Worldwide international moving expert for all your vehicle transportation requirements.
For further information visit How to Import Vehicles into Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Australian Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
Confirming Pet Transportation To Canada
You can take most pets to Canada, so long as they are free from infectious diseases that are transmittable to humans and are not deemed harmful to the environment.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency stipulates that all animals and animal products entering Canada must have documentation. This documentation is known as a ‘pet passport’. Apply for your pet passport using this form.
To ensure a stress-free relocation to Canada for your pet, speak to a UniGroup Worldwide international removals professional about all your pet transportation requirements.
For more information visit How to Import Pets into Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
Firearms purchased outside Canada are subject to complicated clearance procedures and are very difficult to import. As such, they can delay customs clearances and result in additional charges. If you intend to take weapons with you, it is best to confirm all importation requirements as early as possible.
For more information visit How to Import Weapons into Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
You may import wines and other alcoholic beverages into Canada as part of your household goods shipment, pursuant to the laws of the province or territory in which you plan to reside.
For more information visit How to Import Alcohol into Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
Regulations around importing plants into Canada are quite strict to prevent damage caused by plant pests. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulates the import of plants and plant products under several different acts, including the Plant Protection Act and Regulations and the relevant sections of the Seeds Act and Regulations.
For more information visit How to Import Plants into Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
If you’ve already secured a new role (or are moving to Canada for a specific employment opportunity), now is the time to investigate employment options for your partner (if needed). Or, if you haven’t secured a role, to investigate employment options for yourself.
For more information visit How to Find Employment in Canada and What is Working in Canada Like? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
If you’re an a Singaporean moving to Canada, you should investigate local Canadian customs and common cultural differences to help you assimilate more easily into Canadian culture on arrival.
For more information on some of the common cultural differences visit our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide:
A cluttered house will make moving to Canada unnecessarily stressful; packing will take longer, and the cost of your removal and storage will be more expensive (as fees are based on the volume of items). If you’re not selling or renting out your home (in which case you will have already completed this step), now is the time to declutter your home, determining which items you will:
How can I move to Canada with minimal stress? Engage experienced, professional international packers, like the team at UniGroup Worldwide. Not only will it reduce, if not eliminate, the most stressful part of moving, it will help ensure your belongings are packed safely for their long journey to Canada.
If you’re not using a professional packing service, make sure you start packing as early as possible:
For more information visit our Ultimate How to Pack for Moving Tips & Guide.
Complete your customs declaration forms as you pack. This will help ensure the forms are completed as accurately as possible. The information you’ll need includes:
The forms you’ll need to complete include:
For more information visit our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
For more information visit What is a Credit Rating? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Investigating housing in Canada
If you’re not moving Canada from Singapore for work, or your employer hasn’t organised housing for you, investigate potential properties to buy or rent in Canada.
For more information visit What is Housing Like in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
If your current home lease or contract of sale includes any repair work prior to you vacating the premises, book in a handyman now. (UniGroup Worldwide can assist you with this if needed.)
If you’re ending a lease, now is the time to notify your landlord. Make sure you understand any requirements, including:
If you’ve decided to rent out your current home, touch base with your property manager to confirm:
If you’ve decided to sell your current home, touch base with your real estate agent to confirm:
For more information visit What is the Healthcare System Like in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Attending to your medical needs prior to moving to Canada
There are three potential compatibility issues when it comes to using Australian appliances and electronics in Canada: the plug, the voltage and the frequency. You should therefore thoroughly check the power labels or manuals of all your appliances and electronics to ensure they are compatible with Canadian standards, before incurring the cost of shipping over what might be useless upon arrival. Buying new or secondhand appliances and electronics once you arrive may not only be more cost-effective, but your only solution.
For more information visit Will Australian Appliances and Electronics Work in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
As a rule, your standard house and contents insurance won’t cover your personal possessions while in transit. An experienced international removalist like UniGroup will offer a comprehensive range of cost-effective removals insurance options. Speak to your UniGroup expert to arrange transit and storage insurance that suits your needs and budget.
If you’ve decided to rent out your current home, you’ll need to inform the company responsible for your home and contents insurance that you are no longer living there. You may also want to arrange landlord’s insurance. This protects against financial losses that may be suffered because of owning a rental property. You can opt for insurance that covers the building only, as well as specific items that you may have left on the premises.
When moving to Canada from Singapore, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP), in addition to a valid Australian drivers’ license. If you intend on obtaining an IDP, you must do so in advance. IDPs are issued by Australian motor vehicle departments, not the Canadian Government.
For more information visit Can You Drive in Canada with a Foreign License? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
If you plan to drive once you arrive in Canada, there are many different road rules of which you should be aware.
For more information about driving in Canada and road rules visit What are the Road Rules when Driving in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Safely dispose of any dangerous or prohibited goods that cannot be shipped to Canada or stored. People attempting to import prohibited items into Canada may be subject to a penalty and the items may be seized by customs officials.
For more information visit What Items are Prohibited When Shipping Goods to Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
Shipping some items to Canada (such as biological materials, money, trademarked items, and food) are subject to restrictions, and will require additional precautions, special customs clearance, or permits. Be sure you’re aware of these requirements, and apply for any permits as early as possible.
For more information visit What Items are Restricted when Shipping Goods to Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide and our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
Packing your suitcases for your move to Canada
Start packing your suitcases now, while making a detailed inventory list as you go. Your suitcase should contain all the essential items that you and your family members will need as soon as you arrive in Canada, including:
For more information visit our Canada Customs Forms & Guides for Moving Overseas.
Confirm any of your removalists’ access requirements at your existing home, such as parking and building access and restrictions, traffic management and lift protocols. Remember to check street signage and the requirements of your local council, building manager or body corporate.
Reconfirm all your Canada move details with your international removalists, including:
If you’re renting, or your contract of sale requires it, book in a ‘vacate clean’ at your current home for the day after your belongings are picked up. (UniGroup Worldwide can assist you with this if needed.)
Now is the time to back-up all your computers, tablets, mobile phones and other storage devices that are being shipped to Canada, placed into storage, and/or will accompany you on the plane. Be sure to safely store the back-ups separately to the original devices.
Covering off any incidentals before departing for Canada
There will always be last-minute odd jobs when moving overseas, including:
Completing odd jobs before your move to the Canada
With just one week before your move to Canada, you should be just about ready to go, bar a few odd jobs:
Completing last-minute jobs relocating to Canada
If you’ve followed this checklist, the day before moving day should just include a few last-minute jobs:
Managing a stress-free moving day to Canada
On moving day, you need to make sure you separate and carry with you:
Before you leave your existing property ensure:
If you’re in Canada to take delivery of your shipment:
To open a bank account, visit the local branch of your chosen bank with:
Some of the biggest banks in Canada include:
While medical care and services in Canada are among the most advanced in the world, they are also among the most expensive.
As such, it is vital that you take out health insurance, particularly as all medical treatment (even a trip to your local doctor for the flu) must be paid for.
For more information visit What is the Healthcare System Like in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Once you’ve found a property to rent or buy, you’ll need to organise the connection of your electricity, water and gas utilities.
For more information visit How Do Electricity, Water and Gas Utilities Work in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Organising a mobile phone and internet once you arrive in the Canada
There are many mobile phone and internet providers in Canada, all of which offer a range of different packages at various price points. Be sure to do your research into which package best suits your needs before signing a contract.
For more information visit How Do Mobile Phones and the Internet Work in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Enrolling your children in a Canadian school
When residing in Canada, you’ll need to enrol your children at your preferred school. To do so, you’ll need:
For more information visit What is the Education and Schooling System Like in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
If your children will attend university in Canada, you’ll need to enrol them as soon as possible. Universities will also consider your child’s grades and what sort of subjects they’ve chosen to study. For specific entry requirements for international students, it’s best to consult individual universities.
For more information visit What is the Education and Schooling System Like in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
As with any developed nation, there are several taxes that you’ll be required to pay when living in Canada. These may include:
For more information visit What Tax Do I Pay in Canada? in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
Once all the logistics of moving to Canada from Singapore are finalised, it’s time to enjoy your new home! Get out, discover your new neighbourhood, see the local sights, make some new friends and enjoy your next big adventure.
For more information visit What to See and Do in Canada in our Ultimate How to Move to Canada from Singapore Guide.
We have been furnished with the above information, however, UniGroup Worldwide Moving gives no guarantees or undertakings concerning the accuracy, completeness, or up-to-date nature of the information provided. It is essential that users verify all information contained here before taking any action or relying upon it. UniGroup Worldwide cannot be held liable for any actions taken based on the information contained within this Checklist.
