Moving to Canada: Your Ultimate First Month Checklist for Students & Workers

Introduction

Welcome to Canada, the land of opportunities and new beginnings. Whether you’re an international student or a worker, adjusting to life in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back. I was once a newcomer and I had my struggles, but you don’t have to!

This blog post is your ultimate first-month checklist in Canada, designed specifically for students and workers. By following these steps, you’ll navigate this exciting transition smoothly. Let’s get started!

Understanding Your Status in Canada

Before diving into the details, it’s essential to understand your immigration status in Canada. Your status (student or worker) determines the permits, rights, and responsibilities you’ll need to handle.

Coming to Canada as a student or worker, you’ll need two essential documents: a Visitor Visa and a Permit. To keep it simple, you need your Visa to enter Canada and your Permit to fulfill the purpose of your trip here (i.e., to study or to work). You should already have your Visa before you board the plane. When you land in Canada, you’ll need to obtain the Permit at the port of entry:

International Students: Your study permit outlines your eligibility to work and study in Canada. Make sure you understand the work-hour limitations if you plan to take a part-time job. Learn more: Study permit: Prepare for arrival
Temporary Foreign Workers: Your work permit may be tied to a specific employer, job type, duration, or location. Knowing these details ensures you comply with Canadian immigration laws. Learn more: Work permit: Prepare for arrival

Note: The above is only applicable if you come to Canada as a Temporary Resident. If you have already had your Permanent Residence application approved before your trip, you do not need the work permit because you are already authorized to work in Canada.

When I first arrived, I found it overwhelming to understand the paperwork, but reviewing my documents carefully helped me stay organized. Take the time to know your permit inside out—it’s worth it!

My advice: Whenever you have the chance, go to a local public library and scan your documents to store them electronically. You’ll need them for a lot of future paperwork later.

Essential Tasks for All Students & Workers as Newcomers

1. Finding Accommodation in Canada

Securing a safe and comfortable place to live should be your first priority. Whether you’re renting a room or apartment, here are some steps you need to do:

Search Online: Use popular platforms like Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace for listings in areas that you would like to stay. Prioritize listings that are close to public transportations and grocery stores.
Ask for Recommendations: Join local Facebook groups or Reddit communities for housing tips.
Inspect Before Committing: Visit the property (virtually or in person) to avoid scams. It’s common for landlords to require a two-month deposit, but this is an area where many newcomers fall victim to scams when they are not yet in Canada.

My advice: For affordable housing in Canada, explore university dormitories or shared accommodations. Some real estate agents can assist you in finding rental properties at no cost because they receive a commission from the landlord. This is a safe approach to avoid scams, although these listings may have higher rent. Alternatively, consider renting a short-term place for a few weeks, like an Airbnb room, to allow time for personal visits to potential residences.

2. Registering for Canadian Healthcare

Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system that ensures all residents have access to essential medical services. This system is managed provincially, meaning each province and territory operates its own health insurance plan. The provinces have different names for their healthcare plans: Medical Services Plan (MSP – British Columbia), Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP – Ontario), Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ – Quebec), and so on.

As newcomers to Canada, you typically need to apply for provincial health insurance coverage soon after arrival. Eligibility and the specific application process can vary by province or territory, so it’s important to research the requirements in your particular region.

Apply for Provincial Health Insurance: Most provinces, like Ontario (OHIP) and British Columbia (MSP), require you to register within 90 days.
Temporary Insurance: Consider purchasing private health insurance for interim coverage before you get the provincial health card.

My advice: Make sure to research how to apply for provincial health insurance in Canada and follow the guidance provided to understand the specific process for your province. Each of these programs provides coverage for medically necessary hospital, physician, and certain surgical-dental services. The specifics of what is covered can vary significantly from one province or territory to another, often including additional services like prescription drugs, dental care, and mental health services.

3. Opening a Bank Account in Canada

A Canadian bank account is essential for managing day-to-day expenses and avoiding international fees. You should open a bank account within your first week in Canada. Debit or credit cards are very convenient for shopping, but they can take several weeks to arrive by mail. The sooner you get your cards, the better prepared you’ll be.

Popular Banks for Newcomers: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD), Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal (BMO), and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) offer special newcomer packages. These are the “Big 5” banks in Canada.
Documents Needed: Bring your passport, study or work permit, and proof of address.

My advice: Shop around first and compare offers and perks among banks. Talk to bank advisor for details of the offers from that bank. Some banks offer referral programs: If you use someone’s referral code to open an account, both of you may receive bonuses, making it a win-win situation. Once you decide which bank you want to open an account with, check your online communities for any available referral codes.

4. Getting a Phone Plan in Canada

It is important that you stay connected with a reliable phone plan or local SIM card, so that your family and friends back home know that you have landed and settled in safely.

Popular Providers: Canada has three major telecom providers: Rogers, Bell, and TELUS. They offer extensive network coverage but generally have more expensive plans. For budget-friendly options, consider Fido, Koodo, or Freedom Mobile.
Prepaid Plans: Ideal for flexibility during your first few months before you commit to a subscription plan.

My advice: Use the Store Locator function on each provider’s website to find the provider’s store near you. You will most likely find them in shopping malls. If you are not going to live in a rural area or frequently travel outside big cities, budget mobile carriers should be more than sufficient for your daily needs. They often provide better data plans at lower costs.

5. Other things to do for students & workers

You may not need to complete these tasks in your first month in Canada, but I recommend working on them as soon as possible so that you’re prepared when needed.

a. Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is crucial for working legally in Canada and accessing government services. You need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to file taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Apply at a Service Canada office or online with the required documents, if you didn’t receive your SIN upon entry and obtaining your permit.

My advice: Keep this number private. Other than the CRA, there are very few entities that may need your SIN:

Your bank: only if you open investment account to trade stocks or bonds.
Your employer: only after you are hired and have signed an employment contract. They should never ask for your SIN before your recruitment process is completed.
Your car dealership: only if you are financing your car purchase and they need your SIN for more accurate credit check. Even so, it is still very rare that they need your SIN.

In my many years in Canada, those are the only entities that ever needed my SIN. If anyone else asks for your SIN, that is a big red flag for caution. Do not disclose your SIN unnecessarily to protect yourself from identity theft, which is a common scam in Canada.

b. File Taxes in Canada

Even as a newcomer, you will need to file taxes. Register with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to set up your account. Tax filing season generally starts in February of the following year when the CRA starts accepting electronic tax returns. For most individuals including newcomers, the deadline to file tax is April 30.

My advice: Based on your arrival date in the calendar year, you may have more or less time to set up your CRA account and research tax-related information. Even if you haven’t earned any income, filing taxes is crucial for legal compliance and ensuring you receive any eligible tax benefits for the year.

Resources & Further Reading:

The Government of Canada offers numerous resources to help you navigate your new chapter. For starters, here are some primary sources I recommend exploring:

Take your time going through these resources – you don’t have to absorb everything in the first month.

Conclusion

Moving to Canada is a life-changing experience. Feeling overwhelmed is normal at first, but remember, you’ve got this! By following this first-month checklist for students and workers, you’ll set a strong foundation for a successful transition.

Remember, Canada is a welcoming and diverse country with countless opportunities. Stay proactive, seek help when needed, and embrace the adventure ahead. Welcome to your new home in Canada!