Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area, one of the most developed, and a long-standing destination for people planning to move abroad. It is varied geographically and environmentally, and it also offers a stable economy, a strong public system and a high standard of services.
The country has a population of roughly 41 million and takes in newcomers from every region of the world. An active labour market, well-paid work, a strong passport, open landscapes, globally ranked universities and modern cities are among the reasons people consider immigration to Canada. This guide walks through the geography, the main cities, language and culture, the economy, the currency, the provinces, the places worth seeing, and the practical things worth knowing before you move.
Canada at a glance
If permanent residence in Canada is part of your plan for the next few years, it helps to start with the basics of the country itself.
Canada’s population is about 41 million, and decades of immigration policy have made it culturally diverse. The official languages are English and French, and the currency is the Canadian dollar. The country is made up of 10 provinces and three territories. The capital is Ottawa, where Parliament sits and federal policy is set.
Mark Carney, of the Liberal Party, was sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister in March 2025.Canada has one of the world’s advanced economies, with export earnings from natural resources, information technology, financial services, manufacturing and trade, oil and gas production, grain crops such as wheat and barley, livestock and fisheries.
It ranks highly for quality of life, education, health care and public safety, which is a large part of why it attracts skilled workers, students and investors.
Map of Canada: provinces and territories
Canada is the second-largest country in the world, covering 9,984,670 square kilometres. It sits in North America, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north, and it shares its southern border with the United States. Its provinces are:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
Alongside the provinces there are three territories: the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. Atlantic Canada is a regional term for the four eastern provinces, not a separate territory. Almost every province and territory runs its own Provincial Nominee Program shaped by local labour-market shortages, and each publishes stream updates on its official government website.
Studying in Canada
Canada is one of the most popular study destinations in the world, and hundreds of thousands of international students enrol at Canadian institutions each year. Recognised universities, high teaching standards, the ability to work while studying, and the option of building Canadian experience after graduation are the main reasons. Students can study at every level, from college diplomas through to doctorates. Graduates who obtain a post-graduation work permit and gain skilled Canadian work experience may become eligible for certain permanent residence streams, although eligibility rules change and no study pathway leads automatically to permanent residence.
Many institutions offer scholarships, and fields such as medicine, engineering, computer science and business are among the most popular choices. If you are planning to study here, it is worth reading our guides to studying medicine in Canada, co-op programs in Canada and moving from a study permit to a work permit.
Best cities to live in Canada
Canada’s geographic and cultural range, its varied job market and its standard of living give residents real choice about where to settle. Newcomers often head for the largest cities and the employers based there, but smaller centres offer a quieter life, shorter commutes and lower housing costs. The right choice depends on your occupation, your budget and the way you want to live. The cities below are the ones newcomers ask about most.
If you are open to smaller communities, read our guide to immigrating to rural Canada.
Toronto: Canada’s economic and cultural centre
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and the country’s best-known destination for newcomers. It sits in Ontario and is genuinely multicultural. Because of its size and location it hosts a large share of the country’s head offices, international firms, financial institutions and commercial centres.
The main advantages of living in Toronto are its universities and colleges, the range and depth of the job market, and comparatively high salaries. The trade-off is that the cost of living, and rent in particular, is high. For the first year after landing, a smaller city is often the more practical choice.
Vancouver: a coastal city with mild weather
Vancouver, in British Columbia, is known for its coastline, forests, mountains and comparatively mild climate. Winters are far gentler than in Toronto or Montreal, and its universities draw students from around the world.
The labour market in British Columbia is broad. Alongside roles in information technology, financial management, trade and small business, it is one of the better places in Canada for people working in tourism, film production and the arts. Housing costs, however, are among the highest in the country.
Montreal: the cultural capital
Montreal is the largest French-speaking city in Canada, located in Quebec, and it is widely regarded as the country’s centre for culture and the arts. Alongside institutions such as Universite de Montreal, Concordia University and McGill University, Montreal offers strong job prospects for people working in:
- Information and communications technology
- Game development
- Financial management
- Banking
- Nursing
- General and specialist medicine
Compared with Toronto and Vancouver, living costs and tuition in Montreal are lower. That is one reason many applicants for a Canadian study permit choose institutions in the city. Note that Quebec runs its own immigration selection, separate from the federal programs.
Ottawa: the political capital
Ottawa, in Ontario, is where Parliament and the federal departments sit. It is a smaller and quieter city than Toronto or Vancouver, and a large share of local employment is tied to the public service. If you work in government administration, information technology, cyber security, health care, banking or financial management, Ottawa is worth considering. Many federal positions are restricted to Canadian citizens, so check the eligibility notes on any job posting.
Calgary: the energy and business hub of western Canada
Calgary, in Alberta, is a common destination for engineers, particularly specialists in oil, gas and renewable energy. Students in the province can apply to the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary or Mount Royal University, and may be able to work after graduation on a post-graduation work permit. Most hiring in the province is concentrated in industries such as:
- Energy, oil and gas
- Renewable energy and clean technology
- Construction and engineering
- Transport and logistics
- Agriculture and food processing
These same sectors shape which occupations Alberta prioritises in its provincial nominee streams.
Living in Canada after you arrive
Once you land, the practical steps matter: applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), renting a home, registering for provincial health coverage, exchanging your driver’s licence and understanding the family law of your province. Knowing what to expect makes the first months considerably easier.
Places to visit in Canada
Canada is a very large country with a wide range of things to see, from vast national parks to modern city landmarks. The country is young by European standards, but its parks system and its urban museums are among the best anywhere. A few of the best-known destinations are below.
National parks and natural attractions
Canada protects a substantial share of its wilderness through the national parks system. The table below lists some of the natural attractions with an international reputation:
| Attraction | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Banff National Park | Alberta | Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and ski runs |
| Jasper National Park | Alberta | Glaciers, waterfalls, lakes |
| Niagara Falls | Ontario | Natural border between Canada and the United States |
| Gros Morne National Park | Newfoundland and Labrador | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Capilano Park | British Columbia | Capilano Suspension Bridge and rainforest |
| Thousand Islands | Ontario | Beautiful scenery and boating |
City attractions
Canadian cities mix historic sites with modern landmarks. Some of the better-known ones are:
- The CN Tower in Toronto
- The Royal Ontario Museum
- Old Montreal
- Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
- Parliament Hill
- The Canadian Museum of History
- The Calgary Tower
- The Glenbow Museum
- Old Quebec
- Chateau Frontenac
- Victoria and the Butchart Gardens
- Indigenous cultural centres
- The Fortress of Louisbourg
- The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Canada’s economy and currency
The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD), divided into 100 cents. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 CAD. Circulating coins are the 5, 10 and 25 cent pieces, plus the 1 CAD coin and the 2 CAD coin. The one-cent penny was withdrawn from circulation in 2013, and cash payments are rounded to the nearest five cents. The Canadian dollar is a major global currency, supported by economic stability and a large natural-resource base, and the economy combines an open market with substantial resource and agricultural output. Detailed figures on national income and economic structure are published on the official government statistics site.
Canada’s open economy depends heavily on international trade, and its banking system is generally rated among the most stable in the world. Sustained immigration has also brought in educated and skilled workers, which has supported growth in technology and advanced manufacturing. The main sources of national income include energy and natural resources, oil and gas exports, minerals such as gold and nickel, agricultural production, automotive and aerospace manufacturing, financial and banking services, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and clean technology.
The labour market and in-demand jobs in Canada
Canada admits large numbers of skilled workers each year to fill gaps in the labour market. Understanding which occupations are in demand, how your job is coded under the National Occupational Classification (NOC and TEER), how job offers work, when an LMIA is required and what the typical salary is for your role will tell you which programs you can realistically apply to. Occupations are grouped into six TEER categories, from TEER 0 for management roles through to TEER 5 for jobs that need only short on-the-job training, and many programs set a minimum TEER level.
Immigrating to Canada with Aval Visa
If you are planning to move, the routes include a Canadian study permit, the Start-Up Visa, a Canadian work permit, business and investment streams, the Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry, among others. Each has its own eligibility criteria, and every decision rests with IRCC or the province concerned.
A good starting point is the Aval Visa assessment form. We review your age, funds, work history and field of study and set out which routes you may qualify for and which you do not. From there we assist with forms, supporting letters and correspondence through to your arrival, and with extensions once you are in Canada. Aval Visa is led by Hadi Imani, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC #R522575) regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Express Entry and how does it work? Express Entry is the system IRCC uses to manage applications under three federal programs for skilled workers. Eligible candidates enter a pool and are ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System on factors such as age, education, language ability, work experience and adaptability. IRCC holds regular rounds of invitations, and candidates whose score meets the cut-off for a given round may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. There is no guaranteed score and cut-offs move between rounds.
- Which Canadian cities are best for newcomers? It depends on your occupation, your budget and the life you want. Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Quebec City are the most common landing points, but smaller cities often have shorter job searches and much lower housing costs.
- Can you immigrate without a language test? Most economic immigration programs require an approved English or French test result, and the minimum level differs from program to program. Family sponsorship does not require a language test from the sponsored person, though every other requirement still applies.
- Is French necessary in Canada? French is the official language of Quebec, and New Brunswick is officially bilingual, so French matters a great deal for those destinations. Elsewhere it is optional, but French ability earns extra points under the Comprehensive Ranking System and IRCC holds category-based rounds for French-speaking candidates.
