Moving abroad · Ireland to Canada

Cost of moving from Ireland to Canada

Canada draws thousands of Irish workers each year through International Experience Canada, and more through work permits and Express Entry. Here is what the move costs in Canadian dollars, and in euros, from the IEC fee to the first month’s rent.

Fees only, not immigration advice. Whether you qualify for a visa, and which route suits you, is for the official site (canada.ca/immigration) or a registered adviser (MARA in Australia, RCIC in Canada, the Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC) in the UK) or a solicitor. We are neither.

Who is moving, and how

Temporary; a spouse can apply for an open work permit.

Where you will live

Rent figure: average 2-bedroom rent paid by new tenants (turnover units), purpose-built rentals, Oct 2025. No damage deposit; a last month’s rent deposit (at most 1 month) is allowed.

Getting there and settling in

Our estimate for your household, change it: food, transport, bills, phone.

Money you need to move

CA$23,070 – CA$33,044
about €14,753 – €21,131 at the ECB rate of 28 October 2026 (1 EUR = 1.5638 CAD)
    CostCAD
    Visa and permit feesOfficial fee pages, per person (see the route’s notes)CA$240
    Flights (one way)Our estimate, change it: prices move dailyCA$469 – CA$1,251
    Shipping your belongingsPublished mover prices, kept as a rangeCA$5,473 – CA$10,165
    Rental deposit and first month’s rentOfficial rent statistics and the deposit lawCA$5,094
    Setting upOur estimate, change itCA$3,500 – CA$8,000
    Buffer until first paydayMonths × (rent + other monthly spending, our estimate)CA$8,294
    TotalCA$23,070 – CA$33,044

    Not included: children’s study permits or visitor records (separate fees), and the employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment fee, which the employer pays.

    What to do first

    1. Ireland is an International Experience Canada partner: Irish citizens aged 18 to 35 can enter the Working Holiday pool, which is limited each season, so join it early.
    2. For the work permit or Express Entry, check your route on canada.ca or with a licensed consultant (RCIC) before paying any fee.
    3. IEC needs health insurance for your whole stay; buy it before you fly, as border officers can shorten the permit to match it.
    4. Canadian fees change on 30 April; check the IRCC fee list on the day you pay.
    5. Line up a first-month stay; landlords often ask for Canadian credit history, so expect to show savings instead.

    Visa and permit fees for Canada

    The fees below are the official charges for each route, per person, as published on the date shown. They are what you pay the government; agent or lawyer fees are extra. The fee that applies is usually the one in force when you submit and pay, not when you started.

    Employer-specific work permit

    Temporary; a spouse can apply for an open work permit.

    FeeMain applicantEach other adultEach child
    Work permit (spouse: open work permit, incl. CAD 100 holder fee)
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$155.00 CA$255.00 CA$0.00
    Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) (family maximum CA$170)
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$85.00 CA$85.00 CA$85.00

    Not included: children’s study permits or visitor records (separate fees), and the employer’s Labour Market Impact Assessment fee, which the employer pays.

    International Experience Canada: Working Holiday

    Temporary, one person, for citizens of partner countries. One person per application.

    FeeMain applicantEach other adultEach child
    IEC participation fee
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$185.00 — —
    Open work permit holder fee
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$100.00 — —
    Biometrics
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$85.00 — —

    Not included: the health insurance IEC requires for your whole stay.

    Express Entry permanent residence

    Permanent; the proof-of-funds check applies to the skilled worker and trades streams.

    FeeMain applicantEach other adultEach child
    Processing fee + right of permanent residence fee
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$1,590.00 CA$1,590.00 CA$270.00
    Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) (family maximum CA$170)
    IRCC fee list, checked 29 October 2026    		 CA$85.00 CA$85.00 CA$85.00

    Not included: language tests, educational credential assessment, medical exam and police certificates.

    Rent, deposit and the first month

    The rent figures are official statistics, not asking prices, so a new lease in a popular area often costs more. The deposit is set by law in each place, which is why it differs between cities:

    Flights, shipping and setting up

    Flights are our estimate of a one-way economy fare from Ireland (€300 to €800 per person); type your own fare to replace it. Shipping prices are the ranges movers publish, door to door unless they say otherwise:

    Setting up covers about two weeks of temporary accommodation, basic furniture and kitchen kit, a phone plan and local transport for the first weeks: CA$3,500 to CA$8,000 for one or two people, our estimate, scaled up for larger households. The buffer is the number of months you choose multiplied by your rent plus other monthly spending; most people need at least one month before the first pay arrives.

    Rules that cost money after you arrive

    The calculator counts what you pay to get there. These rules decide what the first year costs once you land, and most cost guides leave them out:

    Other moves

    Frequently asked questions

    How much money do I need to move from Ireland to Canada?
    For one adult on the Employer-specific work permit route renting in Toronto (Ontario), our default works out at CA$23,070 – CA$33,044, or about €14,753 – €21,131 at the ECB rate of 28 October 2026. It includes visa fees, a one-way flight, a shared shipment, the deposit and first month's rent, setting up, and two months of living costs as a buffer. Change any input to match your plans.
    Does this page tell me which visa I qualify for?
    No. It shows fees only. Whether you qualify, and which route suits you, is for the official site (canada.ca/immigration) or a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer.
    Why are some lines ranges?
    Flights and shipping are quoted differently by every airline and mover, and setting-up costs depend on how you live, so we keep the published spread instead of picking one number. Visa fees and deposits are fixed by law or by the official fee list, so they are single figures.
    How current are these figures?
    Every fee and statistic was checked on 29 October 2026 and each line names its source. Canadian fees change on 30 April. Check the official page on the day you pay.

    Sources and how we checked

    Exchange rate: European Central Bank reference rates of 28 October 2026, converted through the euro (1 EUR = 1.5638 CAD). Your bank or transfer service will use its own rate. Figures are general information, not financial or immigration advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us. Disclaimer.