Canada is one of the more accessible countries in the world for Irish emigrants, and the options have expanded significantly in the last few years. The IEC Working Holiday visa is open to Irish citizens up to age 35. Express Entry scores well for Irish applicants: Young, educated, English-speaking. Atlantic provinces are actively running programmes that recruit directly from Ireland. The door is genuinely open.

What catches people out isn't getting in. It's the logistics: the provincial health insurance gap in the first 3 months, the customs document nobody tells you about until the last minute, the winter transit realities if you're shipping in November. This guide covers the full sequence from decision to delivery.
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Step 1: Sort your immigration route

‍12+ months before you move

Canada's immigration system is points-based, which is good news for most Irish applicants. But the timelines are longer than people assume, so this step comes first.

Express Entry is the main route to permanent residence for skilled workers. It manages three federal programmes, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program. The system scores applicants using a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that considers age, education, language skills, and work experience. Irish applicants in their 20s and early 30s with a degree and solid work history typically score well. Draws happen regularly and the time from invitation to permanent residence is roughly 6 months. Check your CRS score at ircc.canada.ca.

IEC Working Holiday is the fastest route for Irish citizens aged 18 to 35. It gives you an open work permit for up to 24 months, you can work anywhere in Canada with any employer. Applications open each January and fill quickly. If you're in the age bracket, this is often the right first step even if permanent residence is the eventual goal.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) let provinces nominate immigrants outside the federal system. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is particularly relevant for Irish emigrants: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland actively recruit from Ireland for roles in healthcare, IT, and other sectors. Employers in these provinces can hire directly from abroad.

Intra-Company Transfer is the route for Irish employees at multinationals with Canadian offices who are being transferred. Check eligibility with your employer's HR team early.

One point that applies to every route: do not book your removal until your visa is confirmed. Immigration timelines slip, and a container booked for March that needs to be pushed to September creates problems and costs.

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Step 2: Choose your city

Where you land in Canada affects your cost of living, job market, provincial tax rate, and how quickly you settle. Most Irish emigrants cluster in a handful of cities, and the differences between them are significant.

Toronto has the deepest job market in Canada: finance, tech, construction, healthcare. It's also the most expensive. A one-bedroom apartment in central Toronto runs C$2,200 to C$3,200 per month. Suburbs like Mississauga, Oakville, and Burlington are more affordable and still accessible to the city.

Vancouver is consistently rated one of the most liveable cities in the world. Mild weather, tech and film industry jobs, mountain access an hour out of the city. Housing is Canada's most expensive. A one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver proper runs C$2,500 to C$3,800 per month; most people live in Surrey, Burnaby, or the North Shore.

Calgary is the energy capital: oil, gas, engineering, construction. Salaries in these sectors are high, and Alberta has no provincial income tax, which makes a real difference to take-home pay. The cost of living is significantly lower than Toronto or Vancouver. A three-bedroom house in the suburbs rents for C$1,800 to C$2,800 per month.

Halifax and Atlantic Canada are increasingly popular. The cost of living is well below the national average. Properties are genuinely affordable to buy. Halifax is also the closest major Canadian port to Ireland, transit times from Dublin run 3 to 4 weeks in many cases, the shortest of any Canadian route.

Ottawa suits people with backgrounds in government, public service, tech, or defence. Quieter than Toronto, more affordable (one-bedroom central: C$1,800 to C$2,600 per month), and genuinely bilingual.

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Step 3: Book your removal survey

6 months before your move date

Once your immigration route is confirmed and your destination is chosen, get a pre-move survey done. This is where most people are too late.

A survey takes 30 to 60 minutes. AMC does it in-person or by video call. The surveyor assesses everything you plan to take, measures volume in cubic metres, and produces a fixed quote. No estimates, no charges added after the fact.

Booking 6 months out matters for two reasons. First, the survey result lets you plan financially. You know the actual cost, not a range. Second, sea freight to Canada from Ireland takes 3 to 8 weeks depending on destination, so the booking timeline needs to work backwards from your arrival date.

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Shipping costs from Ireland to Canada (east coast ports: Halifax, Montréal):

Volume: 5–10 CBM
What it typically fits: 1-bed flat, basics only
Dedicated Truck: €2,500–€4,000

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Volume: 15-20 CBM
What it typically fits: 2–3 bed house, no bulky furniture
Dedicated Truck: €2,500–€4,000

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Volume: 25-35 CBM
What it typically fits: full 3-4 bed house
Dedicated Truck: €7,500–€12,500

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Volume: 33 CBM (full 20ft container)
What it typically fits: Large 4-bed house
Dedicated Truck: €9,500–€14,500

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Vancouver and west coast destinations add approximately €1,000 to €2,000 to these figures because containers travel through the Panama Canal and inland across Canada to the west coast.

Winter transit note: If your container arrives in Halifax or Montréal between November and March, delivery vehicles need to be winter-equipped. Not all removal companies operating this route can say the same.

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Step 4: Financial and admin prep: 3 months before

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3 months before your move date

Canadian bank account: Open one before you arrive. RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC all have newcomer programmes that allow account opening from Ireland. You'll need your passport, visa, and a Canadian address. Some banks let you book a branch appointment for your arrival day, which means you walk in and leave with an active account.

Revenue Ireland: Notify Revenue Commissioners you're leaving. If you've paid PAYE and are emigrating mid-year, you may be entitled to a refund. Get this in order before you go, pursuing it from a Canadian address adds friction.

Provincial health insurance: Every province runs its own public health system, and almost all have a 3-month waiting period for new residents before cover kicks in. Ontario (OHIP), British Columbia (MSP), Alberta (AHCIP), all three months. Budget C$150 to C$300 per month for private travel or visitor health insurance to cover the gap. Do not arrive without this arranged.

Driving licence: Most Canadian provinces accept an Irish driving licence for 60 to 90 days. Ontario, BC, and several others have reciprocal agreements with Ireland that allow direct conversion without a road test. Bring your Irish licence, passport, and proof of address to the provincial licensing office within the permitted window.

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Step 5: Customs documents

6 to 8 weeks before

The key customs document for moving household goods into Canada is the CBSA Form B4E, the Personal Effects Accounting Document. It's a detailed inventory of everything in your shipment with approximate values. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) requires it, and if it's incomplete or filed late, it creates delays at the port.

AMC prepares the B4E on your behalf as part of the move. You'll need to provide a list of what you're bringing and estimated values, we'll build the document from there and handle the filing.

What qualifies for duty-free import: Household and personal goods you've owned for at least 6 months, being imported by someone establishing Canadian residency for the first time. New items, commercially purchased goods, alcohol, and tobacco don't qualify and should be declared separately.

During this window, AMC also delivers packing materials and, if you've booked a full packing service, schedules the pack crew. Begin packing non-essentials  (books, seasonal items, spare linens) in the weeks before the crew arrives.

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Step 6: Moving week and arrival

Moving week

AMC packs and loads your remaining belongings. You receive a full inventory list and bill of lading on the day of collection. Tracking access is available through AMC's portal throughout the journey.

The week you arrive in Canada

• Register for provincial health insurance immediately, the 3-month clock starts from your arrival date
• Get a Canadian SIM card on arrival day. Most Canadian admin requires a local number
• Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) at a Service Canada office. It's required for employment and government benefits
• Book your provincial driving licence conversion within the window your province allows
• AMC's Canadian partner crew delivers your shipment after CBSA clearance, typically within 1 to 2 days of the container arriving at port

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Vehicle and pet shipping

Cars: Importing a vehicle into Canada requires CBSA clearance, proof of ownership, and a recall clearance letter. If the car is less than 15 years old, it may need modifications to meet Canadian safety standards (daytime running lights, metric speedometer). The process is manageable but requires advance planning. AMC quotes vehicle transport separately from household goods.

Pets: The process from Ireland to Canada is relatively clean. Dogs and cats need a microchip, current rabies vaccination (at least 30 days old), and a health certificate from a vet issued within 10 days of travel. No quarantine period is required for pets from Ireland, provided documentation is in order. Airlines have size and breed restrictions. Check early.

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FAQs

Q. How long does sea freight take from Ireland to Canada?

‍Halifax (east coast): 3 to 4 weeks door-to-door. Montréal: 4 to 5 weeks. Toronto: 5 to 7 weeks (including inland delivery from Halifax or Montréal). Vancouver: 6 to 8 weeks.

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Q. an Irish citizens get a working holiday visa for Canada?

‍Yes. The IEC Working Holiday is open to Irish citizens aged 18 to 35. It gives you an open work permit for up to 24 months. Applications open each January at ircc.canada.ca.

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Q. Do I need to pay import duty on my household goods?

‍No, provided you've owned them for at least 6 months and are importing them as part of establishing Canadian residency. The CBSA Form B4E documents this. AMC handles the preparation.

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Q. What is Express Entry and how do Irish applicants score?

‍Express Entry is Canada's points-based skilled worker immigration system. It scores applicants on age, education, language, and work experience. Irish applicants who are under 35, degree-educated, and with several years of professional experience typically score competitively. Check your score at ircc.canada.ca.

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Q. Is there a language requirement to move to Canada?

‍For Express Entry, you'll need to take an approved English language test (IELTS General Training is the most common) and submit your score. Irish applicants almost always score at or above the required level, but you still need to take the test and submit official results.

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Q. What happens if my Canadian address isn't ready when my shipment arrives?

‍AMC can arrange storage at the destination port or a Canadian warehouse until your address is confirmed. Flag this at booking. it's a common situation, particularly for people whose rental searches extend past their expected move-in date.

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AMC has been moving Irish families to Canada for over 25 years. FIDI and FAIM accreditation. Partner delivery crews in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montréal, and across Atlantic Canada. Winter-ready trucks for deliveries between November and March.

The first step is a free pre-move survey, in-home or by video. Book one and you'll have a fixed quote and a realistic timeline to plan around.

Get a free pre-move survey here.

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AMC Removals is an Irish-owned international removal company with over 25 years of experience. FIDI-accredited and FAIM-certified.