Hi all,

I have so far found everything I need on here but I'm a bit stumped on a couple of things and wondered if anyone had some answers for me based on their experience?

I've accepted a job for the company I've worked for for over 5 years based in the UK. The new role is based in Toronto and we have had lawyers in Canada sort an application through the specialized knowledge category of the intra-company transfer.

My questions are on the package I've agreed. I think I've been offered a really good deal but the company hasn't had much experience in moving people to Canada as the office is new and I will be the first of my role to be based there.

My package included
- Relocation lump sum
- 4 months accommodation
- 1 flight home per year
- Medical insurance
- RRSP contributions of 8%

Does anybody know how the lump sum should work so that I don't get taxed too heavily? Can they pay a grossed up amount to me so I receive all of the agreed amount and I simply keep aside what I predict the tax to be ready to pay over when I complete my taxes? I've seen people recommend the option of me claiming back with receipts but the majority of the expenses will be things like TV's, furniture and the like, so it becomes a little awkward and will look odd in my opinion. I've been left to sort most of the logistics myself (the role I'm taking up is partially finance so I need to have a grip on this for the future).

I have a second recce trip planned in September to get my work permit approved, look for a house, car, bank account etc. Is this the way to go about this? I was told by the lawyer that the ICT work permit gets approved on the spot upon entry into Canada, hence me wanting to ensure I get it approved and have a week there, sort everything, come back to tie up loose ends and then go back a month later.

Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Thanks that great to know regarding the recce trip.

I don't think they understood that on the RRSP so will make sure they uplift salary or similar.

Appreciate the help!

Make sure that you get healthcare and benefits included - medications, dental and optical, hospital bed etc..

Thanks - Apparently I get it through a company called Manulife? It seems to be all 80% coverage for most things - is this normal?

Holiday entitlement is often the kicker. And check to see when it starts to accrue. Often they'll say "x days per year" but in order to take it, it must first accrue. Sometimes, I believe, holidays do not start to accrue until you have been working for a year.
You didn't specifically mention it if you were hoping to get a company car or car allowance then don't. They are not common in Canada, but if you need to travel with work, say to customer sites, then ask what the arrangements would be. sometimes companies have pool cars for that purpose. If your employer is requiring you to provide a vehicle for work then that would be a consideration, particularly if you would otherwise prefer not to rely on a car.

For the RRSP, my company does that also through Manulife but it is on the basis of a 50% contribution - I pay 8%, my employer pays 4%. Another poster made a good point that non PRs cannot hold RRSPs but my employer allows me to select a TFSA or non-registered account through Manulife and the employer contributions are the same (tax position not as advantageous as with RRSP though). RRSPs are handy f you a re a first time buyer as you can borrow the funds for a downpayment on a house, if you wish.

Will you be emigrating alone or do you have a family?

Have you checked to see if your salary is commensurate with Toronto salaries for a similar position? Depending on your salary you may find Toronto too expensive to live in!

Thanks thats all really helpful.

My holiday entitlement is from day 1, so no worries on that front. The company have been brilliant so far with the help and package so I can't fault them.

I agreed a salary uplift to equate to a car allowance of $700 per month, so should be sorted on that front. The company is also happy to help guarantee the payment on a finance deal on a car to ensure I'm not paying stupid amounts with the lack of credit rating. One of my first jobs is to purchase 3 company cars for other people there so I'll use it to get myself a decent deal from a personal perspective.

So on your final question, its complicated! I have a girlfriend of 4 years (living together for 3) and we sort of almost ended things initially over all this. I offered for her to come but she didn't want to (I think she panicked and just refused without considering). She's recently had a change of heart so I'm wondering now how possible it is to get her added onto my visa as a common law/ spouse? Does anyone know if she can for example, stay another 3-6 months in the UK to tie up her loose ends then come and join me further down the line? Or would it be best for her to maybe apply for a working holiday visa or something different?

Thanks so far everyone on here!

According to the NOC code used on the ICT application I am above the average pay for my position. That being said I'll definitely be house share/basement living for a while!

She can join you if you've lived together for a year or more as husband and wife and can prove it via things like joint bank accounts, shared rental agreement etc. So it's fine for her to go with you, or join you very shortly after, but what she couldn't do is wait in the UK for 3-6 months and then move, as she wouldn't then be deemed your common-law spouse if you've had a break in cohabitation. CIC state that any breaks in cohabitation must be 'temporary and short'. I'd recommend she follows you no more than 2 weeks after you go, to avoid risk of refusal.

Make sure it's above the average for Toronto though - not the average across the whole of Canada, as the will be VERY different!

HTH.

Where did you do the calculation for that though?

$60,000 in Guelph is a whole lot different to $60,000 in Toronto or Vancouver!

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/wagereport/location/22437 might give you a little insight to current trends in salaries, but there are other considerations..
https://www.glassdoor.ca/index.htm

Have you worked out your tax liabilities / deductions when ascertaining whether you can live on the wage offered? https://www.taxtips.ca/calculators/b...calculator.htm
Watch out for tax liabilities on your 'benefits' such as relocation lump sum, car allowance, housing allowance, relocation costs, flights back etc!
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/payroll/benefits-allowances/provided/moving-expenses-relocation-benefits/moving-expenses-paid-employer-that-a-taxable-benefit-1.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-age...llowances.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-age...cal-index.html


Might be an idea to give us a range of what you have been offered - we have many professionals as members who may be able to advise you on whether you are truly being offered a salary commensurate with experience / management level for Toronto.

I've got a group work plan from Manulife, which I do pay for, think it's maybe $40 a month for family coverage.
Pharmacy / Drugs / Persciptions seem to be covered at 80%
Dental seems to be 100% to a max of $2000 per calendar year. $400 per 2 calendar year(s) for prescription glasses, elective contact lenses, eye exams, repairs and elective laser vision correction procedures.
There is also a lot of other stuff covered to various maximums over a calendar year.

I'd ask for a copy of the plan benefit guide to see what coverage you get.