Living in Canada as an Expat: Permanent Residence, Diplomas, Rents and Montréal

Are you thinking about settling in Canada for a few years or longer? This article helps you tell the possible statuses apart (visitor, work permit, permanent residence), spot the immigration pathways open to French speakers, and compare rents across major cities, with Montréal as a reference point. It also details the traps to know about before you pay for anything: fake visa promises, unauthorized representatives, scams after arrival.

Traps, Scams and Warning Signs

Start with what costs the most when you get it wrong: the rules, the intermediaries and the scams.

Rules That Keep Changing

IRCC rules change from one year to the next: exemptions from the study permit cap, simplification of the co-op work permit, restrictions on the start-up visa, draws by category under Express Entry^[1]. Financial thresholds are indexed and draws vary: check canada.ca and ircc.canada.ca before each step^[1]. For example, the financial requirements for a study permit rose from $10,000 to $20,635 on January 1, 2024^[2], then to $22,895 on September 1, 2025, with an automatic adjustment every September 1^[2]. An amount read on a blog or in an old guide may therefore be out of date.

Promises of Entrepreneur Visas

IRCC no longer accepts any new applications under the Start-up Visa Program, except for candidates who obtained a valid commitment from a designated organization in 2025 and have not yet submitted their application^[3]. The Self-Employed Persons Program is also suspended indefinitely^[3]. Any offer selling you a traditional "entrepreneur visa" today should raise a red flag. For starting a business or registering a local company, check directly with the official websites.

Unauthorized Representatives

The Quebec government lists the checks to make before signing with a paid representative: they must be a lawyer who is a member of the Barreau du Québec, a notary who is a member of the Chambre des notaires du Québec, an immigration consultant recognized by the Ministry, or a holder of a special authorization from the Barreau or the Chambre des notaires^[4]. The fees charged by the Quebec government to process an application are posted online: compare them with what your representative charges you^[4].

Refuse any payment requested by a person not listed in the Registre québécois des consultants en immigration, or not registered with the Barreau du Québec or the Chambre des notaires^[4]. IRCC also warns that no one can guarantee you a job, a visa to Canada or permanent residence^[5].

False Information: A Five-Year Penalty

Whether or not you are assisted, you are responsible for the information submitted in your application in Quebec^[4]. A false declaration can lead to the minister refusing to consider any immigration application submitted to the Quebec government for five years, for you and for every person included in your application^[4].

Scams After Arrival

• The fake agent who threatens you with deportation over unpaid fees: IRCC never threatens to deport anyone over unpaid fees^[5]. Do not share your unique client identifier (UCI) or your file number; the displayed number can be falsified^[5].
• The fake computer virus: you get a call telling you your computer is infected and are offered a cleanup, with the aim of obtaining your passwords^[5].
• Fake winnings: a text message announces a prize even though you never entered any contest; do not reply, not even to ask that messages stop^[5].
• Fake benefits: promoters claim newcomers can receive benefits and credits for the period before their arrival, which is false^[5].

Choosing your status: visitor, work permit, or permanent residence

Working remotely on a visitor status is, in principle, only possible if your employer or clients are abroad and if your intention to stay remains clearly temporary, the CBSA officer retaining discretion at entry^[1]. As soon as you aim for structured remote work or local work, you need a work permit or a permanent residence pathway^[1]. For a digital nomad, this is the line you must not cross.

There are two types of work permits. An open work permit does not require a job offer^[6]. An employer-specific work permit requires one^[7]. In all cases, the final decision at entry rests with the CBSA officer, who has discretionary authority^[1].

Pathways to permanent residence

People applying for permanent residence based on their skills or work experience fall under the economic category. It includes Express Entry, the federal business immigration programs, and regional economic programs, including the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot^[3].

An Advantage for French Speakers

Since 2026, Express Entry has held category-based draws that favor French proficiency: the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score thresholds are significantly lower than in general draws, provided your French is assessed at NCLC 7^[8]. Check canada.ca for the exact thresholds and the detailed eligibility criteria in force.

Quebec, a Separate Selection

To settle in Quebec, the route runs through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ), via an expression of interest in Arrima, then obtaining the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) before federal permanent residence^[8]. Quebec maintains controlled admission volumes and emphasizes French^[8]. The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), abolished on November 19, 2025, is temporarily reopened from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028; a first application intake period runs from July 2 to October 31, 2026^[8].

A temporary public policy facilitates access to an employer-specific work permit for eligible foreign workers in Quebec who have been invited to apply for permanent residence in that province and have submitted their permanent selection application under the PSTQ^[9].

Administrative Procedures: IRCC and CBSA

Applications for eTAs, visitor, study, or work visas are submitted through a secure IRCC account (GCKey)^[10]. Permanent residence goes through a dedicated portal^[10]. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are required for most applications, with a fee^[10]. At the border, the CBSA verifies documents and issues the physical work or study permit if the application is approved in principle^[10].

To extend a visitor stay beyond the initial period, file an online visitor record application before the expiry date, budgeting for fees, proof of funds, evidence of your ties, and an explanation of your reasons^[11]. Documents include your passport, proof of financial solvency, remote work contracts abroad, and ties to your home country; insurance is recommended^[11].

Check canada.ca for the consequences of overstaying before any deadline, as well as the official fees in force.

Diplomas and Qualifications

French diplas are not automatically recognized^[8]. Canadian professional bodies (engineers, accountants, doctors, lawyers) impose equivalency procedures that are often long and costly^[8]. Quebec and France have signed mutual recognition agreements for certain professions, but they remain limited^[8]. Timelines vary by field and are not quantified here: don't rely on a standard duration, and ask the relevant body about timelines, costs, and the assessment procedure.

Cost of living and housing by city

Canada is very large, and the cost of living varies a lot depending on where you live^[12]. Large cities like Toronto and Vancouver are where it is highest, especially for housing^[12].

Here are the asking rents for a two-bedroom in the second quarter of 2026, according to Statistics Canada:

• All census metropolitan areas combined: $2,130 per month, down 3.6% year over year^[13].
• Vancouver: $3,030, Toronto: $2,650, Victoria: $2,640, Halifax: $2,400, the highest in the survey^[13].
• Calgary: $1,890 asked^[13].

Trends diverge: asking rents fell year over year in Abbotsford–Mission (-6.4%), Calgary (-6.4%), Montreal (-5.2%) and Vancouver (-4.1%), but rose in Thunder Bay (+6.5%), Sherbrooke (+5.7%), Halifax (+5.3%) and Saskatoon (+5.2%)^[13].

Pay attention to what the figure measures. Asking rent is the price advertised on major rental platforms; paid rent reflects what current tenants pay, usually under an existing lease^[13]. In almost every city where both figures exist, asking rent exceeds paid rent: in Vancouver, the average paid rent is $2,470, and in Toronto it is $2,160^[13]. These data are experimental and may be revised^[13]. Don't build a budget on rent alone: food, transportation and other expenses must be added.

Montreal compared to other cities

On rent alone, Statistics Canada's figures do not place Montreal among the most expensive cities: it is among the cities where asking rents for a two-bedroom fell 5.2% year over year^[13], while Vancouver ($3,030) and Toronto ($2,650) show the highest average asking rents^[13]. The exact amount for Montreal is not given here: check Statistics Canada's statistics.

Another distinctive feature: Quebec manages its own selection of skilled workers, with the PSTQ and the CSQ described above^[8]. Depending on your profile, this is either an asset (dedicated pathways, a measure that facilitates the work permit^[9]) or a constraint (controlled volumes, emphasis on French^[8]). As for language, climate, employment or transportation, compare these criteria with your own priorities before choosing.

Checklist before you get started

• Define the status you're aiming for: visitor working remotely for a foreign employer, work permit, or permanent residence.
• If you're targeting Quebec, look up the PSTQ, Arrima and the CSQ; otherwise, check whether Express Entry or a provincial program fits your profile.
• If you're a French speaker, have your French level assessed: NCLC 7 is required for category draws that prioritize French.
• Contact the professional body for your trade to learn the equivalency procedure for your diploma.
• Compare several cities on asking rent and paid rent, then add the other expense categories.
• Before paying an intermediary, verify their status (lawyer, notary, recognized consultant) with their regulatory body.
• Re-check every amount and rule on canada.ca, ircc.canada.ca or quebec.ca just before you submit your application.
• For taxes (Canadian tax residency), don't rely on a general rule: seek advice from a professional.