Moving from Canada to Iceland
Moving from Canada to Iceland is a considerable decision that requires attentive preparation. Iceland is among the most economically and socially developed countries in Europe. The harsh climate and geographical remoteness of the continent have not been an obstacle to the creation of an excellent medical, public, and transport infrastructure, and high-tech communication.
Canadians moving from Canada to Iceland might find it rather lonely and isolated in the beginning, however, this land will surprise you when you least expect it. An island of incomparable natural landscapes, where rivers flow through deserts and fire blazes from beneath the ice, is best described as a land of striking contrasts.
Canada vs. Iceland
To help you understand what awaits you after moving to Iceland from Canada, consider the following main aspects of life in both countries.
Ethnicity, Religion and Language
Canada takes second place after Russia in the top biggest countries in the world located in the north of the North American continent. The territory of Canada is 9.985 million square kilometres which is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. The land is washed by the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
The climate in Canada is extremely diverse. Most of the population lives in close proximity to the United States border where the climate is the most pleasant. Here the temperature in summer varies from +20°C to +30°C and -15°C to -32°C in winter. In the northern part of Canada, the climate is subarctic with extreme cold.
The total population of Canada as of July 2022 is about 38,655,000 people. Considering the size of the country this number is rather small, however, the majority of the land is uninhabitable. Only about 32% of the total population identify themselves as Canadians and there are about 4.9% of indigenous people. Other 63% of the population are English, Scottish, French, Irish, German, Chinese, Indian and other minority groups.
The majority of the population identifies as Christians with about 38.7% Roman Catholics, 23.5% Protestant and 5% Anglican Church. Others identify as Muslims ( 3.7%), Hindus ( 1.7%), Sikhs ( 1.4%), Buddhists (1.1%) and others.
The official languages in Canada are English and French.
Life in Canada is full of opportunities you never knew existed. Society here strives for changes and new connections. It might be slightly overwhelming at first, but soon enough you will become a part of a social club where everyone fits in. Average Canadians do not live a lavish lifestyle, but can definitely afford to make one or two trips back home or to the islands nearby.
Canadians are an extremely welcoming and friendly nation. Everyone respects one another and despite all the differences gets along. When visiting Canada, you will feel like a part of one big international family, you can hear 25 different languages spoken in a restaurant at once. Each brings into the country a piece of home and shares it with others.
Canada offers one of the best education systems in the world. Primary and secondary education is obligatory and free of charge in public schools for each Canadian citizen, PR holder and refugee. Higher education is not free in Canada, both domestic and international students must pay tuition fees, however, the difference in cost is noticeable.
The most popular universities in Canada are the University of Toronto, the University of Montreal, the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia. The average tuition fees for domestic students range from CAD $1,600 - $10,000 per semester, depending on the degree and program. International students must expect to pay on average from CAD $7,000 - $35,000 accordingly.
The cost of living in Canada is not inferior to other leading nations such as the USA, Australia and European countries. The average monthly expenses spent by a single person living in Canada is about $1200 CAD without rent. The estimated monthly costs of a family of 4 are about $4,300 CAD per month without rent.
The average monthly salary in Canada working in a full-time position is over $54,000 CAD per year. The biggest expenses would be rent - CAD $1,300 to $2,000 for a 1-bedroom apartment and CAD $2,200 to $3,100 for a 3-bedroom apartment. The most expensive cities to live in are Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa.
Canada was first to introduce a point-based immigration system in 1967. It allowed the state to manage immigration applications more accurately and faster. Although there are multiple standard criteria that you have to fulfill to get a passing score, luck will play some role in it too. In each entry pool the number of required points changes.
If you are a qualified and skilled professional, you might be eligible to obtain the PR straight from your home country. Once you have gained permanent residency, you will be permitted to apply for Canadian citizenship after 3 years (1,095 days) out of 5 years, of residing in Canada.
Ethnicity, Religion and Language
Iceland is a European country and an island state. It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and consists of a large island of the same name and numerous small islands.
The capital is Reykjavik. The total area of Iceland is 103 000 square kilometres. By Earth's standards, this is a fairly young island, it emerged about 60 million years ago and is still forming.
In summer it is quite warm here, as the sun is very active, although the temperature is rarely above +14 °C. And in winter, on the contrary, it is not so cold - usually from 0 to +8 °C. There is almost no slush because the sidewalks are heated and the snow melts quickly. The wind is strong and very rarely.
The population of Iceland is about 376,000 people. The national composition of the country is homogeneous, as about 87% of the population is indigenous Icelanders, descendants of the Vikings. The other 13% - are representatives of other nationalities, natives of Northern European countries, Poland, the Philippines and others.
More than 80% of the population of Iceland belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. About 4% belong to other Protestant denominations (primarily the Seventh-day Adventists), about 2% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and 7% are other religious groups.
The official language in Iceland is Icelandic, although about 90% of the population speaks English fluently.
Canadians moving to Iceland from Canada will feel more than satisfied with the high living standards, low crime rates and quality entertainment spread around the country. Icelanders manage their work-life balance, taking advantage of each spare minute to explore and enjoy their country’s natural resources: horseback riding, trips and hikes on glaciers, descents into lava caves, and diving.
Icelanders are very calm people: it's hard to imagine a situation that would set them off, and they believe that everything will sort itself out. Icelanders will never pry into your soul, which they don't expect from you either. They will gladly help you if you ask, but they won't impose themselves. However, if you get to know people, you soon begin to feel like you're in one big family.
All children in Iceland are required to receive primary and basic secondary education. The public schools in Iceland are fully supported by the state and tuition is free. Currently, higher education is available at seven universities, both public and private. In order to enter, it is necessary to pass entrance examinations in specialized subjects.
When moving from Canada to Iceland you will be surprised to find out that higher education in Iceland is tuition free. The only fees that must be paid are the annual registration fee which varies from ISK 75,000 ( $547 USD) and an application fee for non-EU/EEA students of ISK 8,000 ($58.42 USD).
A single person moving to Iceland should expect to spend an average of ISK 154,230 ($ 1,460 CAD) per month without rent. A family of 4 would spend on average about ISK 569.073 ($5,390 CAD) per month without rent. The most expensive cities to live in Iceland are Reykjavik, Hafnarfjordur, Keflavik and Husavik.
After moving from Canada to Iceland, you can stay on the island legally for a long time by obtaining a temporary residence permit. It is possible to get a residence permit, if:
- Officially employed in the country
- Enrolled in an Icelandic institution of higher education and gets a student visa
- Gets married or lives in a permanent partnership (provable) with a resident/citizen
If the temporary residence is maintained for four years, the holder receives an Icelandic permanent residence. In order to apply for citizenship, one has to live in Iceland for seven years, but for certain categories of applicants, the period is reduced:
- 5 years - if the non-resident has been married to a citizen for at least four years
- 3 years - if the applicant was born in Iceland and has no other citizenship
- 2 years - if the applicant's parents have been Icelandic citizens for over 2 years
Immigration to Iceland as a Canadian Citizen
Moving to Iceland from Canada has 4 main ways how to immigrate to Iceland: education, employment, marriage/family reunion or opening a business. You will be required to obtain a temporary residence permit (study permit or work permit) and a correspondent visa in order to enter the country.
Prior to moving from Canada to Iceland, we recommend saving up a minimum of 3 - 5 months of average monthly expenses to avoid stress upon arrival. When applying for an Icelandic residence permit, you must provide proof of finances and a criminal record. Start preparing for a move early.
Moving from Iceland to Canada
There are multiple reasons why citizens of Iceland want to immigrate to Canada from Iceland, such as creating a better future for their families, a broader range of job opportunities, advancing their education or its proximity to the USA. Regardless of the reason, relocating from Iceland to Canada would be easily manageable due to straight forward Canadian immigration system.
We hope that provided information can give you a better understanding of whether moving to Canada from Iceland is what you need. These two share little in common but both have a lot to offer. Take your time researching and comparing life in Canada to what you have in Iceland before you start packing for a move.Hercules Moving Company will happily assist you with moving your household goods overseas. If you wonder how much it will cost to move from Canada to Iceland or vice versa, Fill up a Free Quote Now!
