Are you a Canadian considering moving to the UK for a working holiday? Great choice! This exciting move will allow you to explore a new culture, gain international work experience, and create lifelong memories. However, before you pack your bags, it’s key to understand the costs involved in moving and living in the UK.
In this post, we break down all the most relevant expenses, from visas and flights to rent and daily living costs, to give you a clear idea about what to expect. Whether you are planning a UK working holiday for Canadians for career growth or just for a new adventure, we’ve got you covered!
We understand there are many other questions you are likely to have about moving to the UK. Will I find a job there? How much money will I make? Where will I live? We will also address these questions later in the post.
Let’s jump in!
This article was updated on 6th March 2025 at the live GBP to CAD exchange rate of 1.84. Costs and prices listed in this article are subject to change.
You might have heard the UK, and especially London, is an expensive place to live. However, major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver have similar costs of living.
But the cost of living in the UK on a working holiday and the cost of moving from Canada to UK are two different things. When moving to another country you need to consider additional expenses to set up your new life there, such as flights and visas. If you are about to take a UK working holiday for Canadians, these expenses are essential to budget for.
Here’s a breakdown of the main costs you should budget for when planning your UK working holiday:
As a Canadian, you can visit the UK for up to six entire months without a visa. But, you will not be able to work in the UK without a visa – which could cause some issues if you need to pay rent. Therefore, you will need to apply for a visa.
So, if you have a Canadian passport and are between the ages of 18-35 (inclusively) then you can apply for a working holiday visa or also known as UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa. To learn more about the qualifications visit our UK Working Holiday for Canadians page.
The UK working holiday visa fee is £298 – or about $545 CAD depending on the exchange rate. If your visa application is rejected, unfortunately, you will not be refunded the visa fee. Therefore, we will also add to the cost of Stepabroad’s expert support in obtaining this visa.
Our team ensures that you do not have to go through the process multiple times and keep repaying the fee. Our UK Send-Off Package also comes with a ton of additional support such as setting you up with accommodation in the UK, a bank account, phone plan and more.
When applying for a visa to live and work in the UK you are required to enroll in the UK’s national healthcare program. Essentially, this means you will be covered for healthcare costs the same way as UK residents. This is very similar to Canada’s healthcare program. The benefit is that you will not need to purchase travel insurance.
One downfall, however, is that you need to pay the full healthcare fee upfront – there is no option for monthly payments. In addition, you must pay for the entire duration of your visa even if you do not stay in the UK for the entire length of your visa.
The UK healthcare fee is currently £1035 per year. However, with the UK working holiday visa for Canadians or student visa you receive a discounted rate of £776 per year – or about $1410 CAD depending on the exchange rate. Therefore, on a working holiday visa you will need to pay about $2820 CAD for UK healthcare at the time of your visa application since this visa lasts for 2 years.
Note: If your visa application is rejected the healthcare fee will be refunded to you.
When entering the UK on a visa, they do not require a return ticket. This means that you only need to worry about the price of a one-way ticket when taking into account your total cost for moving from Canada to UK.
If you are planning a UK working holiday for Canadians, it is a good idea to book your flight in advance and keep an eye out for discounts. Platforms such as Skyscanner and Kayak can help you find great flight prices.
The UK has a public healthcare system called the National Health Service (NHS). When applying for your visa, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access NHS services.
IHS fee: £776 per year (~$1410 CAD per year)
For a two-year visa, this totals around $2820 CAD, paid upfront.
If your visa application is rejected, the IHS fee is refunded.
Flights to the UK: $600 CAD (One-Way)
Flights from Canada to the UK typically range from $600-$1,200 CAD for a one-way ticket, depending on the time of year and departure city. Booking early and using flight comparison websites like Skyscanner and Kayak can help you find the best deals.
Rent will be one of your biggest expenses, and costs vary widely depending on location.
Extra Tip: When you arrive, consider staying in a shared house. It’s usually a more affordable option, helps you meet new people, and gives you the flexibility to explore different areas of the UK before committing to a long-term lease. Plus, you can get a feel for different neighborhoods and decide where you’d like to settle!
Once you arrive, understanding living expenses in the UK on a working holiday is crucial. While this is not exactly a cost for “moving” to the UK it is something that you should work into your budget because you will be expected to pay your first month’s rent before moving in. The reason it is important to work rent into your budget is that you likely won’t have a job at this point – or your first paycheck.
Since you will be using Canadian dollars to pay for your first month’s rent, the exchange rate will not be in your favor. Once you start making money in British Pounds though you will be smooth sailing!
To keep the cost of a UK working holiday for Canadians manageable, consider house-sharing, cooking at home, and using public transport.
For example, for your first month’s rent, let’s assume you are living with roommates in London (the most expensive city in the UK) and spend about $1,100 CAD on rent.
When moving into a new place in the UK you are required to pay a security deposit. This is also required in Canada. However, in Canada, we are used to paying a security deposit equal to half a month’s rent.
In the UK, the security deposit – which they call a bond – is often closer to a full month’s rent (sometimes more if they know you are from abroad). However, it is usually just under the first month’s rent so we will estimate about $700 CAD.
If you are moving out of a place in Canada, you can apply your Canadian security deposit amount to your UK security deposit. Remember, you should receive this money back when you move out – as long as you don’t incur any damage to the property.
A UK working holiday for Canadians is a great way to experience a new culture while working and saving money. Budgeting wisely will help you make the most of your time abroad.
As previously mentioned, when moving to the UK you should plan to cover your first month’s living expenses in the UK on a working holiday to allow yourself time to find a job and earn your first paycheque. This includes groceries, phone bills, and transportation. Phone bills are cheap in the UK. Groceries will depend on the food you eat, and transportation will depend on where you are living and how much commuting you do. As a ballpark, about $500 CAD will have you covered.
As an example:
One of the biggest factors to consider when budgeting for your UK journey is transportation. Whether you’re commuting to work, exploring new cities, or planning weekend getaways, understanding public transport costs can help you manage your living expenses in the UK on a working holiday.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay in different regions:
Top Tip: If you’re 25 or under, getting a Railcard is a game-changer! It gives you 1/3 off train fares across the UK, whether you book in advance or last minute. The same goes for the National Express Coachcard, helping you save big on long-distance bus travel — an easy way to cut costs while getting around!
You are on a working holiday so let’s not forget to add in a budget for sightseeing and entertainment.
The UK is great for sightseeing because by simply walking around you can see iconic buildings, markets, and attractions. In London, they also have an abundance of free museums.
A UK working holiday for Canadians is not only about working—it is about exploring, meeting new people, and having an incredible experience abroad. But always remember it is better to be over-budget than under-budget! So, plan for $500 CAD for sightseeing, entertainment, drinks, and eating out.
Now you know what expenses to account for when moving to the UK, let’s see how much you should have saved before making the move:
UK visa costs: $545
Stepabroad UK Send Off Package: $499
UK healthcare costs: $2,820
Flight: $600
First month’s rent:$1,100
Security deposit: $700
Living expenses: $500
Fun: $500
TOTAL: $7,264 CAD
Here are a few money-saving tips:
Understanding the cost of moving from Canada to UK is key to making the most of your working holiday experience.
Keep in mind this is just a guideline. Your actual costs will depend on where you live and your lifestyle choices. However, we always recommend over-budgeting rather than under-budgeting.
Are you ready to get started? Let us help you with expert guidance and a stress-free transition!
Have more questions about moving to the UK?
Feel free to visit our UK Working Holiday Program page for more information or fill out the form below to get in touch with our team!
This is probably the most common question we get asked by our participants moving to the UK. When creating a budget for living in the UK, you need to consider the money you will be making once living there.
Your working holiday visa will allow you to live and work in the UK for up to two years. This means there is no barrier for an employer to hire you, even for a career position. Finding work in the UK is very similar to applying for a job in Canada. Having previous relatable work experience or skills for the jobs you are applying for will increase your chances of landing the position.
As part of our UK Send-Off Package, we provide a list of job resources specific to your industry of choice to help you find a job in the UK. We’re happy to say that our participants have always found a job.
We also have a UK Camp Program where we get you a job at a fun outdoor camp before you arrive in the UK. In this program, your living costs and meals are all included as well! With your accommodation and meals covered, you can literally pocket every dime you earn while enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experience of living in Europe.
The minimum wage in the UK is based on your age. If you are 22 years old and work full-time at minimum wage you can make about $2,250 CAD per month. This would be enough to cover your monthly living expenses. However, almost all jobs pay more than minimum wage – especially if you have previous work experience.
Remember, the purpose of a working holiday isn’t to make lots of money – it’s to allow you to support yourself while living and travelling in the UK. Even if you make enough to just cover your living costs, we highly encourage you to still take this opportunity to move to the UK. The experience of living abroad is priceless – and something we would be willing to spend thousands of dollars on. The adventures you have and the people you meet while travelling will change your life for the better.
The UK is made up of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This means that you can live in any of these places – or even multiple! As part of our UK Send-Off Package, we explain some of the main cities to live and work in and also provide assistance arranging your accommodation for you so that you have a place ready and waiting for you once you arrive.
If you are not sure where you want to live yet – no problem! We have short-term accommodation options that won’t require you to sign into a long-term lease.
If you sign up for our UK Camp Program you will work at one of the 12 beautiful camps located across the UK. The camps are outside of cities, but you will have days off to go and explore the country. However, if you are a big city person, then the UK Send-Off Package would be better suited for you