Living in Canada Newcomers to Canada
Are you planning on immigrating to Canada? There are several things that newcomers must do once they arrive to prepare for their new life in Canada. While the process can feel overwhelming, the Canadian government offers many services for newcomers to help every step of the way. Here are the top five things that you should do when you arrive in Canada.
You’ll need a place to live right away when you land in Canada. Book yourself some temporary accommodations before you arrive. Hotels or hostels are a great option for short-term housing, and most allow you to reserve a room online. Once you know more about where you’re going to live, you can start looking into a more permanent solution.
Check out our Accommodation page for more information about housing.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for public health insurance. Each province and territory has its own health insurance plan, so once you know which province you’ll settle in, do some research about what the provincial plan covers.
Some provinces require new residents wait up to three months before they can receive government health insurance. You can buy private insurance to cover your needs while you wait. You can also buy private insurance for any services your province’s public plan doesn’t cover. Some Canadian employers also offer extended health insurance coverage for their employees.
Contact your provincial ministry of health for information about getting health insurance:
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada. You also need it to have access to government programs and benefits. You can apply for one by mail or in person at a Service Canada office. You’ll need to provide an original primary document to prove your identity and status, like a permanent resident card or confirmation of permanent residence.
Learn more about Social Insurance Numbers.
You should open a Canadian bank account as soon as you can. In Canada, you can open a personal bank account even if you don’t have a job, don’t have a permanent address, don’t have any money to put in the account, have poor credit rating, or have been bankrupt. You just need to go to a bank in person and present valid personal identification. The teller at the bank will be able to walk you through the process, and many banks have services specifically for newcomers to Canada.
Learn more about banking in Canada.
Moving to a new place can be scary, especially if you don’t know anyone in your new community. Making new friends will not only help you feel at home, it will also grow your professional network and help you find a job in Canada. There are immigrant-serving organizations that connect newcomers with other immigrants or Canadians, which can be very helpful. You can also volunteer in your local community centres, schools, or charitable organizations. There are a lot of ways to get involved, try to find activities you can participate in to get to know people with similar interests to you.
Learn more about connecting with your community.
Do you need help preparing your application to come to Canada? Managing partner Attorney Renaud Dery and the Canadim Team are here to help you every step of the way. Complete our free online assessment today to discover all of your options!
Get Started
Immigration Tips
CELPIP stands for the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program and is an English test that allows test takers to demonstrate their ability to function […]
Canada Permanent Residence
If your overseas Express Entry permanent residence (PR) application has been approved, you will eventually need to move to Canada. Many new confirmed PRs choose […]
Canada Work Permit
The job vacancy rate in Canada was at an all-time high in the first quarter of 2022. While various jobs are in-demand across Canada, several […]
Canada Permanent Residence
When applying for Canadian permanent residence, immigration officers may use several methods to verify your work experience history.
Study-2-Immigrate
With FHS Express Entry draws paused indefinitely, many international graduates feel limited in their options to remain in Canada after their PGWP expires.
Study Permit
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education across the globe; with online learning becoming the new norm, there has been some confusion surrounding whether a permit is required to study online in Canada.
Inadmissibility
If you have a criminal record and are planning to come to Canada, it is important to understand the types of crimes that will make […]
Canada Permanent Residence
A question we are often asked is, “What is the best province in Canada for immigrants?” With Canada being the second-largest country in the world, […]
Study Permit
Looking to change from a study permit to a work permit? The process will depend on where you are at in your program.
Canada Permanent Residence
As of May 6, 2021, essential workers and international graduates currently working in Canada can apply for Canadian permanent residency under favourable new Immigration programs.
Canada Work Permit
Starting February 8th 2021, eligible Hong Kong residents can apply for a 3 year Canadian open work permit, designed to give highly educated Hong Kong residents the opportunity to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Canada Permanent Residence
In order to finish your application process for Canadian permanent residency, you need to land in Canada. As of June 21, 2021, applicants who have […]
Canada Permanent Residence
Nigerian immigration to Canada has become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, Nigeria is one of the main source countries of Canada’s immigrant population; […]
Canada Permanent Residence
The Lebanese population in Canada is one of the fastest growing demographics. In 2001, there were nearly 144,000 Lebanese in Canada. According to the 2016 […]
Canada Permanent Residence
There are many options to immigrate to Canada from India. In fact, Indian nationals have the highest success rate when applying for Canadian immigration compared […]
Work in Canada
Many foreign nationals look to Canada as a land of opportunity, hoping to secure a comfortable life for themselves and their families. One of the […]
International Students
Most colleges and universities require international students to show they are comfortable working in English or French, but there are some exceptions. Hopeful international students […]
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has been growing in strides since its introduction in 2017, and has quickly become a promising option for those interested […]
International Students
If you want to come study in Canada as an international student, you might be wondering which province you should study in. Are there benefits to […]
Study Permit
Canada is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international students coming from all over the world. Before you can come to study in Canada, there are a few […]
Living in Canada
Considering making the move across the border from the U.S. to Canada? You’re not alone. In 2021, close to 12,000 U.S. residents made the move […]
International Students
Speedy processing times for study permits, top-quality educational institutions, and an open and welcoming society are just some of the factors that influence international students […]
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Provincial nomination certificates have become an increasingly popular way to immigrate to Canada. There are dozens of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), each with its own […]
International Students | Study Permit
Studying in Canada is a dream come true for many international students. When you receive a letter of acceptance from a Canadian school, it might […]
Immigration Tips
To be eligible for most Canadian economic immigration programs, you need to have some work experience. For many streams, that work experience needs to be […]
International Students
There are a lot of great benefits to being an international student in Canada, including the ability to bring family with you while you study. […]
Work in Canada
Canada’s tech sector is booming and needs labour to sustain its growth; for this reason, the Canadian government offers ample immigration options for tech workers […]
Canada Permanent Residence
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada as a single parent, there are few things you should know before you start the process.
Uncategorized
Canada’s low employment rate, high quality of life, and boundless opportunities make it a great country for new graduates. If you’ve just completed a foreign […]
Immigration Tips
An Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) is an official document that confirms that Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has received your application. IRCC issues an AOR […]
Discover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!