You are planning an expatriation to Quebec in the next few weeks, but you are unable to estimate a budget to anticipate the costs related to your immigration to Quebec? First of all, you should know that we have written an article on the cost of living in Montreal that will help you estimate your expenses and the cost of living.
Here, we will help you plan your budget for your expatriation to Quebec and allow you to anticipate financially your first month in the beautiful province.
The budget needed for an expatriation to Quebec
The cost of the work permit and biometric data
If you are part of the IEC program (International Experience Canada: WHP), you will have to pay a certain amount of money to complete your registration and obtain your work permit for Canada.
All EIC participants must pay :
- 161 work permit participation fee
- 85 for biometric data
- 100: for WHV only, corresponding to the open work permit fee
That is to say a total of $346 or about 240 âŹ.
Displacement for biometric data
Once you have received the letter of instruction, you will need to complete the collection of biometric data in a Visa Application Centre (VAC). There are two centers in France: one in Paris and the other in Lyon. You just have to make an appointment here. Here are also the addresses of Lyon and Paris. It would be wise to also include the price of a train or plane ticket in your budget to expatriate to Quebec.
We will count approximately 100 ⏠for a round trip to perform the biometric data.
Compulsory travel insurance: take advantage of the offer from our partner PVTistes
If you expatriate with the IEC (International Experience Canada) program, you will also be required to take out private insurance for the duration of your work permit .That is two years if you are French and one year if you are Belgian.
There are several insurance companies that can offer you their services, but we advise you to use GlobePVT via the exclusive pvt discount.
This one will cost you about 712 ⏠for two years, the duration of your work permit in Canada.
Budget: airfare for your expatriation to Quebec
As far as the airfare is concerned, we recommend that you compare the fares between each company.Â
Please note: Weekend rates are generally more expensive than during the week. There is also a price increase during the summer period and at the end of the year.
If you have two suitcases in the holdyou will need to pay 80 ⏠more in your budget (per suitcase).
On average, a one-way ticket from Paris to Montreal costs approximately 450 ⏠(between 350 ⏠and 600 ⏠depending on the period).
The Mapls' Council
"Even if you want to take a one-way ticket to Canada as part of your expatriation, look at the rates for round-trip tickets! They are sometimes more advantageous..."
Co-founder & Head Of Community, Mapl
Moving to Quebec with the Maplr community
Your expatriation budget: accommodation for the first month in Quebec
We strongly suggest that you opt for temporary accommodations, such as an Airbnb, when you arrive to give yourself time to find more permanent housing.
The price of accommodation depends of course on the neighbourhood. For example, a private flat on the Plateau Mont-Royal will cost you an average of $135/night. While a unit in Hochelaga will cost you $73/night. If you want to better target and understand the neighbourhoods, we have written a complete article on neighbourhoods in Montreal.
In Montreal, generally speaking, it costs 110 for a night in a private residence and 49 for a single room in a private home.
For a 28-day stay at $73 per night, you would need to pay $2044 $. This rate remains an estimate since you have to add taxes and cleaning fees for the accommodation. Nevertheless, most Airbnb companies offer a discounted rate for long term rentals. In order to give you an accurate estimate, we consider that a month's rental will cost you approximately $2000 to $2500, or 1390 Ă 1730 âŹ.
Budget for your expatriation to Quebec: shopping
In our article the cost of living in Montreal, we explain that you can spend around 350 per month for groceries in Montreal. HoweverWhen you arrive, you will need to restock your pantry with basic items such as cooking oil, flour, sugar, etc. You will also need to familiarize yourself with local grocery stores and products. You will also have to familiarize yourself with the grocery stores and local products! It is obvious that if you prioritize the purchase of French products, which are considered export products, you will spend more than with a Canadian equivalent.
This is why we recommend that you count on approximately $400 to $500 for your first few months in Montreal, or 275 to 345 euros.
Your expatriation budget in Quebec: arriving during winter
If you arrive during the winter season, you will certainly have sweaters, scarves and hats with you. Nevertheless, your usual French winter coat will certainly not be enough to protect you from the cold temperatures of Quebec. Therefore, you will need to budget a little extra for a new coat.
If you have read our tips for surviving winter in Quebec, you will have seen that we advise you to buy your winter equipment once you are here. Why? The prices are generally more affordable than in France.
For a winter coat, prices vary depending on the brand and the quality of the fabric. Expect to pay about $300, or 200 ⏠for a decent coat.
As for winter shoes. We recommend that they be waterproof and with a gripping sole. Count between 100 and 200 $, or 70 Ă 140 âŹ.
If you are part of the Maplr community, we'll take care of the "tuque" and the "absorbent cotton"!
Budget summary for an expatriation to Quebec
| Cost of EIC work permit (JP or PVT) | 240⏠|
| Transport for biometric data | 100⏠|
| Travel insurance (tax return possible) | 712⏠|
| One-way air ticket (reimbursed by Mapl) | 450⏠|
| Food for one month | 500⏠|
| Airbnb for a month | 1500âŹÂ |
| TOTAL Budget for the first month |
|
â ïž Remember, when you go through customs, you must also haveproof of funds in the amount of $2500 (about âŹ1735) .Therefore, we advise you to bring a total of approximately âŹ5,235 to be comfortable when you arrive in Canada.
Expatriating as a couple to Quebec: costs for the spouse
If you are accompanied by your spouse, he/she will also have to pay some fees for his/her immigration application.
It will be necessary to count :
- 255 for her application for an open work permit;
- 85 for its biometric data (no travel required, as the bio data is given at the airport);
- 7 for its AVE.
As well as all the costs mentioned above: Insurance, airfare, etc.
How to optimize the cost of settling in Quebec for your expatriation and reduce your budget?
Expatriation and settling in a new country is often financially complex, here are our tips to optimise your costs:
Join the Mapl Core Team
To help you get settled, Maplr will reimburse the airfare for people joining the Mapl Core Team and will offer you a $1000 installation bonus!
Deduct the cost of your travel insurance from your taxesÂ
Did you know that in Canada, you can deduct the cost of your travel insurance (Chapka) as well as your non-reimbursed health expenses from your first taxes in Quebec? So yes, you will have to pay a little for your expatriation in Quebec, but you will be reimbursed when you file your first tax return in Quebec as a tax refund!
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