U.K. Citizens Dissatisfied with their Country’s Politics Seek Refuge in Canada

On May 4, 2016, we published a blog post about the possibility of an increase in American immigrants to Canada after the 2016 elections. Many residents of the United States have expressed frustration at the current state of political affairs and have been threatening to leave their country and join their Northern ally. Though immigration lawyers do not feel Americans are likely to follow through on this threat, a similar trend has revealed itself on the other side of the Atlantic.

Following the decision of the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union last week, the Atlantic magazine asked Google what the most common ending was to the search phrase “move to X.” Scotland, which could well secede from the U.K. and re-join the EU, was the most common response. Outside of the U.K., the most common response was Canada.

Similar to the threats of immigration from those living in the U.S., most of these searches probably reflect temporary frustrations rather than a serious life plan. However, the results do highlight Canada’s positive worldwide reputation as a country of immigrants and a beacon of stability. It appears that many people worldwide could see themselves living here, whether they are seeking refuge from a dangerous situation or living with a relatively stable—albeit dissatisfactory—government.

As a country with deep and historical ties to Canada, there are many special opportunities for citizens of the U.K. to come to here, such as working holiday visas. Immigrating to Canada may seem like a big step, and there are many ways to explore the country before deciding it is the right place for you. And if you come for a temporary work placement or an extended holiday and decide to stay permanently, immigration lawyers are always here to support you in your journey to citizenship.