Are you planning to move to Canada or have already landed there? Initiating a fresh journey in a new country can be challenging, especially when you don’t know what and where to start. When immigrating to a new country, planning the future and looking for work and study opportunities are crucial as a permanent resident, foreign worker, or international student. However, it’s equally vital to determine the essential things for Newcomers’ early days in Canada to ensure you start right. All these steps will help you set the stage for an effortless journey and your long-term success in Canada.

This guide will outline the vital things every newcomer to Canada, whether permanent resident, foreign worker, or student, must do in their early days after immigrating to the country.

The steps covered below are not in a particular order but are essential for newcomers to follow after they arrive in Canada for a successful start.

Essential Things for Newcomers’ early days in Canada

This section will highlight the five essential things for Newcomers’ early days in Canada to help them start a smooth journey in the new landscape.

1. Obtain a cellphone or phone number.

Once you arrive in Canada, you might need to connect with your family or friends both locally and internationally. Regardless of your immigration status, whether permanent or temporary resident, a cellphone or a phone number can help you stay connected for personal as well as professional reasons.

In Canada, the telecom sector offers newcomers various choices regarding cellphone providers, each offering a spectrum of plans and devices at different price levels as per individuals’ unique needs and budgets.

The availability of numerous devices and plan options makes it essential for newcomers to explore all the options before making an informed choice and committing to a particular plan.

It’s notable that when selecting the plan, most telecom companies in Canada typically require a Canadian credit score if newcomers are looking for a postpaid phone plan. 

However, in certain situations, several providers may consider a good international credit score to allow newcomers to obtain a postpaid plan.

Besides the postpaid plan, there are pre-paid plan options for newcomers who initially do not have a Canadian credit score and thus are ineligible for a postpaid plan.

In the early days, they can opt for a pre-paid plan and later switch to a postpaid one after building their credit score.

2. Provide IRCC with Your Canadian Address

According to the Canadian government, all newcomers, whether permanent or temporary, must update their address online with the immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 180 days or around four months after they arrive in Canada.

This is because you must make the department aware of your Canadian residential address. Also, this will help you get your permanent resident card and other documents or correspondence via mail from IRCC.

3. Get Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

All immigrants to Canada, regardless of their status, are required to get a SIN or Social Insurance Number in the early days after they arrive in the country. 

In Canada, SIN can be obtained by anyone with a legal standing in the country. It allows the holders, such as immigrants as well as foreign workers, to work in the country. You can easily obtain a SIN from your city’s local Service Canada location. Typically, a SIN is a nine-digit number that is unique and confidential. All newcomers must be aware that the employer will require your SIN to authorize your wage payment.

4. Get a Health Insurance

Obtaining health insurance in the province or territory of your arrival also falls under the things for newcomers’ early days in Canada. This must be irrespective of the group you arrive in, whether permanent residence, temporary foreign worker, or other.  

Health insurance is advised as it safeguards you from bearing the full expense of healthcare services out of pocket in Canada.

To be eligible for public health insurance, you may need to wait for a certain amount of time, based on the province or territory of your residence.

In the meantime, you may need private health insurance to guarantee insurance in case of any medical emergency.

Private health insurance is also advised for all Canadian residents, even as a supplement to public health insurance. This is because the public health insurance plan of each provincial or territorial government has some limitations. 

All Canadian residents will also benefit from checking in with their employees regarding health insurance policies if they are already employed in Canada.

5. Register a Bank Account in Canada

Bank accounts are important to manage the income flow and expenses for all Canadian residents. All immigrants and foreign workers must have a bank account in Canada. Thus, after arriving in Canada, ensure you open a bank account. There are a range of institutions in Canada that have branches and offices across Canada, allowing newcomers to open an account. This will help you manage your everyday spending as well as allow you to pay the bills effortlessly using the account.

Notably, several banks in Canada provide specific offers for new immigrants to the country.

Follow Things for Newcomers’ Early Days in Canada to Make a Successful Start! 

Navigating a smooth start in Canada by following these tips can be helpful for all newcomers, whether PRs or international workers. 

Learn about the available telecom plans, explore private and public health insurance, and explore bank options to make an informed choice. Also, be sure to check your eligibility for different available immigration pathways to decide on the best path.

If you are ready to make the big move, plan your steps ahead of time and make a great start in Canada.