In the excitement of getting your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), it’s vital to consider the first things to do after landing in Canada. It’s now time for the next step along your immigration journey. Your Canadian journey begins when you complete all the paperwork, pack your belongings, and say your goodbyes. The first steps you take upon your arrival in Canada will set the course for a smooth settlement process. Discover the vital steps to building your life your life in Canada!

What to Expect When You Land in Canada

Knowing what to expect when you land will contribute to a smooth experience and reduce stress.

One of the first people you will meet at your arrival point in Canada will be a friendly Canada customs agent. This is when the customs agent will ask you about the goods you carry with you, goods to follow, and landing certificates such as your COPR. You’ll also meet other officials from Immigration Services. They will ask you to show your passport and visa papers.

Immigration agents will give you application forms to apply for documents such as your:

• Permanent Resident (PR) Card

• Social Insurance Number (SIN) card

• Health care card

• Driver’s license.

Applying for these documents within the first couple of weeks after you land in Canada is important. You will need a SIN card to work in Canada, and a health care card to get provincial healthcare coverage.

When Will I Receive My Permanent Resident (PR) Card?

Your PR card is proof of your Canadian permanent resident status. You will need this card whenever you leave Canada and want to re-enter.

The time to process your PR application can vary and it can take up to two months to receive your PR card. You can check processing times here.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will mail you a wallet-sized plastic PR Card. If you change your mailing address before receiving your PR Card, notify IRCC of your change of address. You can also check the status of your application.

Important First Steps After Landing in Canada

Once you decide to immigrate, it’s time to look ahead confidently. You’ve done so much to prepare for Canada, so trust yourself, enjoy the journey, and take these steps when you land in Canada.

 3. Apply for your Healthcare Card Upon Landing in Canada

Within the first week of your arrival in Canada, apply for a healthcare card to receive free medical coverage in the province or territory where you plan to live. Some provinces, such as British Columbia, have a three-month waiting period before your healthcare coverage takes effect. It’s important to apply for provincial healthcare within your first week to minimize delays in coverage.

If you land in a province with a waiting period, you can buy private insurance to cover you and your family from unexpected healthcare costs. A waiting period applies for permanent residents in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

Only in some provinces, such as Ontario, will your healthcare coverage begin as soon as you arrive.

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4. Connect with Settlement Agencies Before and After Landing in Canada

There are many immigrant service agencies across Canada to help newcomers settle. Settlement agencies provide information and many free services to help you adjust to life in Canada. Some settlement agencies even offer pre-arrival services before you land in Canada. There is a huge advantage to using settlement services before and after your arrival in Canada.

Learn About Free Pre-Arrival Services

If you’re still in your home country, learn more about free pre-arrival services:

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Already in Canada? Discover Free Post-Arrival Services

These are a few examples of the types of services that you can take advantage of:

Free Language Training:

Improving or enhancing your English or French language skills is a great idea because it’s critical to newcomer success. Language training may focus on basic English skills only, and may not be enough to help you succeed in the work environment. However, many colleges and industry associations offer higher-level English training to help you with:

• Business English courses

• Job-specific or occupation-specific language training to help you with jargon and other work-related phrases.

Host Programs:

Some organizations may offer a host program. This volunteer-based program matches immigrants with a host who can guide them through their first few months in Canada. Your “host” can help you with questions you may have such as:

• Where to shop locally?

• How to find housing?

• How to enroll children in school?

Settlement Counselling:

Immigrating to a new country can be an emotional time. You may feel frustration, regret, and homesickness. Immigrant settlement agencies are there to support you with counselling for you and your family.

Job Search Services Before and After Landing in Canada:

Immigrant settlement agencies are also a great first step to help you with your job search. For example, they can help you to:

• Prepare your resumé for the Canadian job market

• Write a cover letter

• Prepare for job interviews.

And, many settlement agencies offer programs to assist your job search before and after you land in Canada.

For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!

Mentorship Programs:

You can also ask the settlement agency if they offer a mentorship program. Mentoring programs connect you with someone who works in your occupation and can provide information and tips about the profession in Canada. Mentoring can be a great way to help you succeed in the workplace.

5. Set up a Bank Account

Another priority in your first few weeks in Canada is to open a bank account near your home. To open an account, you will need your landed immigrant papers and any other identification you have to prove your place of residence. You can even open a bank account before you arrive in Canada.

Banks provide different types of bank accounts including basic savings and chequing accounts. You may need a chequing account in particular because most employers will make a direct deposit to your bank account to pay you.

Over time, you will build a good relationship with your bank, and start building your credit history. One way to build credit is to apply for a secured credit card and then a traditional credit card. With a secured credit card, you provide a cash deposit in case to pay your bills. Paying your bills and loans promptly is important to build a strong Canadian credit history. Your credit history will help you when you want to get a mortgage buy a home, make a major purchase such as a car, or get a loan to start a business.

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6. Enroll Your Children in School When You Land in Canada

Among the main reasons people immigrate to Canada is to give their children a better future. That starts with education. Canada guarantees an education to every child between the ages of five and 18. You must enroll your child in school as soon as possible after you arrive in Canada.

The progressive levels in the Canadian education system for children include:

Kindergarten: Children enter the school system in Kindergarten at age five.

Primary or Elementary School: After they complete Kindergarten, they attend primary or elementary school for grades 1 to 7 or 8, depending on the school district.

Secondary or High School: From grade 8 or 9 through to 12, children attend secondary school (high school). Some districts have a junior high level between elementary and high school.

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You’ll be off to a great start when you take these vital steps upon your arrival in Canada!

For more information about living and working in Canada, check out our free webinars! We’ll provide you with the essential information you need!

If you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident, you will have a Social Insurance Number. Applying for your social insurance number (SIN) is one of the first things to do after you arrive in Canada. When you apply to Service Canada for your SIN, you will receive a nine-digit number. This number is vital because it allows you to work in Canada and access government programs and benefits. Your SIN is issued only for your use. Any legal resident over 12 can get a social insurance number in Canada. Learn more about the steps to complete your SIN application and how and when to use it.

When to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number

You will need your SIN when you get a job, and complete your tax information, and you may even require it to open a bank account. So, apply for your SIN within the first two weeks of arriving in Canada. Settlement agencies can help you to complete your social insurance number application, and provide many other useful services to newcomers!

Applying for Your SIN in Canada

Applying for your SIN in Canada is completely free. There are three ways that you can apply for your SIN:

• In person at a Service Canada Centre

• By mail

• Online.

How to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number in Person

You can visit a Service Canada Centre to apply for SIN in person. You can make an appointment online through the eServiceCanada – Service Request Form. Once you make an appointment, you need to make sure you bring the correct documents with you (see documents needed above).

All the documents you provide when applying in person must be original. The advantage of applying for SIN in person is that you will get your SIN the very same day. For the other two methods of applying, you may have to wait another month before getting a valid SIN.

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How to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number by Mail

If you apply by mail, you can only submit original documents. The documents will be returned to you by mail once your application is complete. You will have to print, complete, and sign the SIN Application Form. If you are unable to print the application form, you can order one by calling the toll-free number: 1-866-274-6627

The documents required for applying by mail are quite similar to that of applying in person ((see documents needed above).

How to Apply for Your Social Insurance Number Online

If you apply for SIN online, you will need clear and legible digital copies of all the required documents.

It is a good idea to call Service Canada or check eServiceCanada to get the most up-to-date information. The required documents and/or the process of applying for SIN can change, so double-checking the requirements is always a good idea.

Protecting Your SIN and Avoiding Scams

As a newcomer (including international students), it’s important to understand how and when to provide your SIN. For example, it’s essential to keep your SIN confidential. It is not a document you will need to access very often. Someone getting their hands on your SIN could lead to the loss of government benefits, tax refunds, and identity theft. If someone uses your SIN to commit fraud, it would be you who takes the blame. Similarly, if someone uses your SIN to work illegally in Canada, you must pay tax on income you didn’t receive.

A common scam that newcomers can be a victim of occurs when unknown parties represent themselves as a government of Canada agency. The caller states that your social insurance number has been breached or compromised. The caller will request your personal information including your SIN and request payment (often in cryptocurrency, prepaid credit cards, or gift cards). This is a serious red flag since Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency will never contact you by phone or email to request your SIN or credit card number.

Tips to Keep Your SIN Safe

As mentioned earlier, you do not need your SIN for your day-to-day life. Because of this, you don’t need to carry your SIN in your wallet or take it with you wherever you go. It is a better idea to store it in a safe place. Some other steps you can take to protect your SIN card are:

• Only provide your SIN where it is legally required

• Never using your SIN as identification. It is not an identity document and shouldn’t be used as one

• Shred any paper records that include your SIN.

Many places that don’t legally need your SIN may ask for it. While it is not necessary, it is still legal. So, it’s important to know when you need to give your SIN when you don’t. If you are applying for a job, renting property, or are asked to prove your identity, you may be asked for your SIN. However, you are not obliged to provide your SIN for these actions and it is strongly recommended that you don’t. 

Completing your social insurance number application is a vital first step when you arrive in Canada. Ideally, you should complete this activity within your first two weeks of arriving. This nine-digit number is essential to begin working in Canada and to access other government services and benefits!

You received your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), and you’re excited! But still, you have questions about life in Canada. You might wonder if there are any settlement services for newcomers to provide support to you and your family. The good news is that there are settlement agencies whose primary purpose is to help you adjust and adapt to Canada. And, you can access many of these services before and after you arrive in Canada. Another benefit is that most of these services are free of charge!

If you are in Canada, click here to find free newcomer services near you! 

What are Settlement Services in Canada?

Settlement services help newcomers adjust to life in Canada. And, these services can help to remove financial, social, and cultural barriers that are vital to your success in Canada. Settlement agencies offer a variety of programs and services.

Settlement agencies are community organizations that provide programs and services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada.  Each settlement agency provides different services. So it’s helpful to find a settlement agency that best meets your needs.

A settlement agency can work with you on a one-to-one basis. Settlement workers understand that adjusting to life in a new country is hard. And having a one-to-one conversation with a settlement worker will help them understand your needs so they can serve you better.

So it’s important to identify your needs and share information about your:

• culture

• education, and

• skillset.

Based on your needs, they can provide you with support services such as child care, translation, transportation, and many other services. Working together, you can work towards achieving your goals in Canada.

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What Services Do Settlement Agencies in Canada Provide?

Settlement agencies provide a wide range of services. Here are six services that can be vital to your success!

1. Information about Life in Canada

Settlement services in Canada provide insights into life in Canada. For example, the Canadian healthcare system differs across provinces. So settlement workers will explain the healthcare system to you. A settlement agency can help you apply for a provincial health card, and a social insurance number, and find a family physician.

Settlement agencies also have information about neighbourhoods in many cities. So they can help you look for housing to suit your needs and budget. This is helpful because rental costs vary according to the:

• location (city and neighborhood)

• Type of housing and size, and

• Vacancy rates, and more.

Most cities in Canada have excellent public transport networks. Settlement services in Canada can explain the public transport networks local to you.

Some people prefer to drive. You can ask your settlement worker for more information on driving in Canada. A clean driving record and access to a car can make it easy to drive to job interviews. However, using public transportation can help you to manage expenses while you search for a job in Canada.

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2. Help with Your Financial Needs

A settlement agency can also guide you with your financial needs in Canada. For example, they’ll identify the documents you’ll need and help you to open a bank account in Canada.

An important responsibility of permanent residents in Canada is to file income taxes every year. By filing your taxes each year, you can access financial benefits such as the:

• Canada Child Benefit

• Goods and Services Tax (GST), and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) credit, and

• Child Care Subsidy.

These important benefits and credits put money back in your pocket when you file taxes. Settlement agencies host free clinics to teach you about the tax system and how to file your taxes. Some settlement agencies have volunteers who will file your taxes for the first year free of charge.

3. Job Search Services in Canada

Settlement agencies have job developers who can help you navigate the job market. They will work with you to understand your short-term and long-term career goals. They can recommend resources to help you achieve your career goals in Canada.

Other job search services can help you to:

• Prepare a Canadian-style resume

• Write a cover letter

• Create a portfolio of your work.

Additionally, they will conduct mock interviews with you and give you feedback to help you excel in real interviews.

Some newcomers are lucky to find their dream jobs quickly. However, the job search process can be long and stressful for others. If you do not find your dream job quickly, you still need a job to pay your bills.

In such cases, a settlement agency can help you find a survival job. Many newcomers work in survival jobs until they find a job in their field. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in your job search.

In addition, you may have to acquire new skills or upgrade your existing skills. Settlement agencies can point you to bridging programs or other college or university programs that can help you succeed.

Some examples of regulated occupations include:

• Medical doctors

• Nurses

• Lawyers

• Accountants

• Engineers, and other occupations.

You’ll need a license to work in a regulated occupation in Canada. Settlement agencies can direct you to the appropriate licensing body for your profession.

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4. Networking Activities

Leaving behind your family and friends is difficult. Settlement services can help you meet other newcomers and their families to build a local support system.

If you have a family, settlement agencies will introduce you to public libraries and Early Years programs. Libraries and Early Years programs are free to use and attend. These programs can help your children improve their physical and emotional health and socialize with children their age.

Settlement agencies partner with other professional and non-profit groups to provide newcomers with opportunities to network. Networking can help you build personal and professional relationships.

Some settlement agencies have mentoring programs that match you with a mentor in your career field. You can ask mentors questions about:

• your industry in Canada

• Canadian workplace culture

• job search tips, and more.

Mentors are volunteers who donate their time to help newcomers learn about their field in Canada. But, it’s important to know their job is to guide you. They are not responsible for finding you a job.

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5. Language Training Services in Canada

Canada has two official languages:

• English, and

• French.

Quebec is the only French province while New Brunswick is the only bilingual province. Being bilingual in Canada can provide you with more job opportunities.

Improving your language skills in either official language helps you to:

• get information about daily life in Canada, and

• increase your chances of getting a job.

Settlement services also offer classes to help you improve your language skills. They will assess your language skills and recommend a program based on your results.

Some settlement services in Canada even organize conversation circles that allow you to practice your language skills. This will increase your confidence to talk to others and have meaningful conversations.

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6. Your Rights and Responsibilities in Canada

Settlement services in Canada organize free sessions on your rights and responsibilities as permanent residents in Canada. They cover topics like:

• maintaining your permanent residence

• applying for citizenship

• understanding your tenant rights

• knowing your rights as an employee in Canada.

Some settlement agencies conduct workshops on Canadian business and workplace culture to help you succeed and retain your job.

How to Find Settlement Services in Canada?

A great place to start is to watch this short video from Pre Arrival Canada. You’ll learn how to access free online services to help you prepare for and adapt to life in Canada while still in your home country You can even register for multiple services based on your needs!

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Tips to Make the Most of Settlement Services

• Identify the services you need (i.e. preparing to move to Canada, language training, job search, housing search, credential recognition, etc)

• Research the settlement agencies that offer services you need

• Contact the agency before you move to Canada to learn about pre- and post-arrival services that you can take advantage of

• Ask questions about other services that they offer.

Settlement services in Canada can help you adjust and adapt to life in Canada and give you the advantage you seek. Before and after you arrive in Canada, these free services provide many benefits for you and your family!

Check out our upcoming webinars for more information about housing, settling, and working in Canada.