Moving to Canada from Samoa

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Samoa to Canada? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Samoa to Canada. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ottawa averages 52°F vs 86°F in Apia, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Samoa to Canada.

Moved in 2016
5

people moved from Samoa to Canada · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Canada?

Top countries of origin for Canada's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Canada compared to Samoa.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

WS
6.2
CA
2.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

WS
9.6
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Samoa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

WS
$474
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

WS
5.5
CA
25.0

Canada generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

WS
34.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

WS
1.6t
CA
14.0t

Samoa generally does better on environment, though Canada leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

WS
0.8
CA
42.6
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

WS
78.0%
CA
93.0%

Canada performs significantly better than Samoa across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

WS
9.8%
CA
5.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

WS
$6,000
CA
$55,800

Canada generally does better on employment & economy, though Samoa leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

WS
75.2 yrs
CA
83.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

WS
17.0
CA
4.4

Canada performs significantly better than Samoa across all family life metrics.

Data: Ministry of Revenue, Samoa, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Ottawa Rain: 37.1 in/yr (943 mm)
52° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Apia Ottawa
Jan–Mar 87°/75°F (31°/24°C) 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 87°/74°F (30°/23°C) 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 85°/73°F (30°/23°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/74°F (30°/24°C) 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Apia Ottawa
Jan 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C) 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C) 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C) 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C) 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C) 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C) 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C) 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C) 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C) 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C) 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C) 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C) 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Samoa and Canada. To live, work, or study long-term in Canada, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Canada's immigration authority.

Samoa passport

Samoa passport holder visiting Canada

Electronic Travel Authorisation
Samoa passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Canada.
Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Samoa

Visa on Arrival
Canada passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Samoa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Canada?

Connectivity is usually fine (Canada: 42.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Canada offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Canada safe for expats?

Canada performs significantly better than Samoa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Canada is 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.2 in Samoa.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Samoa?

Canada generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 25.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 5.5 in Samoa. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Samoa: 55).

What's the weather like in Canada compared to Samoa?

The average high temperature in Ottawa is 52°F, compared to 86°F in Apia. Ottawa receives around 37.1 in of rainfall per year, while Apia gets 116.7 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are English and French. In Samoa, the official languages are English and Samoan.

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At a Glance

WS CA
Population 206,179 38,232,593
Currency Samoan Tala (WST) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages English, Samoan English, French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +685 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number 911