Offramp← All destinations

🇿🇦 South Africa → 🇨🇦 Canada

Emigrating from South Africa to Canada: the real cost

Express Entry is points-based and doesn't need a job offer — but you must prove settlement funds and the timeline can be long.

Difficulty

Harder

Timeline

9–24 mo

Currency

CAD

Cost-to-leave estimator

🇿🇦 South Africa → 🇨🇦 Canada. Indicative ranges, not a quote.

Language test (IELTS/CELPIP) ×2C$600 – C$700
Educational Credential Assessment ×2check ↗C$400 – C$640
PR processing fee (per adult) ×2check ↗C$1,980
PR processing fee (per child)check ↗C$270
Right of Permanent Residence Fee ×2check ↗C$1,200
Biometrics ×3C$255
Immigration medical exams ×3C$600 – C$1,350
Police clearance certificates ×2C$100 – C$300
One-way flights ×3C$3,600 – C$7,200
SA tax clearance / financial-emigration adminC$500 – C$2,000
Landing fund (rent, deposit, setup)C$6,000 – C$12,000

Estimated total cost to leave

C$15,505 – C$27,895

Fees reviewed 2026-06. Indicative FX. Not financial, tax or migration advice. Official fees ↗

Plus funds you must show (not spend): C$23,360

Express Entry requires proof of settlement funds (unless you have a valid Canadian job offer). Amounts below are reviewed yearly by IRCC. Official rule ↗

Your retirement money

Retirement Annuity / Pension→RRSP / TFSA

No direct transfer from a SA retirement annuity into an RRSP. The usual path is to cease SA tax residency, withdraw under SA rules and pay any SA tax, then invest in Canada once resident. Canada taxes worldwide income for residents — get advice on timing.

Dig deeper on Canada

Retirement annuity→Tax residency→Cost breakdown→Visa & timeline→

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to emigrate from South Africa to Canada?

It varies by family size and route, but most households should budget across visa fees, medical and police checks, flights, tax/forex admin and a landing fund. Use the estimator on this page for a personalised range. Express Entry is points-based and doesn't need a job offer — but you must prove settlement funds and the timeline can be long.

Can I transfer my SA retirement annuity to Canada?

No direct transfer from a SA retirement annuity into an RRSP. The usual path is to cease SA tax residency, withdraw under SA rules and pay any SA tax, then invest in Canada once resident. Canada taxes worldwide income for residents — get advice on timing.

How long does the move to Canada take?

Typically 9–24 months. Express Entry: points-tested, proof of funds required.

Get the Canada financial-emigration playbook

Step-by-step checklist for tax residency, retirement annuity, forex clearance and banking. Join the list for launch pricing.

See a free sample of the playbook →

Educational information only — not financial, tax, legal or migration advice. Fees reviewed 2026-06; verify current figures via the official links above before acting.