Once you have stepped off the plane follow this to-do list to guide your essential first steps in Canada
Before you leave the airport, check out the newcomer welcome centre.
At the Toronto Pearson International Airport, look for the Immigrant Reception and Information Services (IRIS) kiosks. At the Vancouver International Airport, go to the Community Airport Newcomers Network (CANN) kiosk in the immigration landing room of the international arrivals area. These kiosks will have pamphlets and resources to help you in your first days in Canada.
Find temporary accommodation for your first few nights after landing and then start looking for a longer term rental. Although you may start off at a hotel/motel, they can get expensive, so try to find one with a good monthly rate. You may then want to find a furnished apartment rental until you decide for certain which areas of the city you prefer before you sign a lease for a longer term rental or consider buying a house.
Obtain a good street map, a telephone book and the Yellow Pages. These resources will be important tools in your first days as you get to know your neighbourhood and search out local services.
Visit a local immigrant settlement agency. Such non-profit organizations receive government funding to offer newcomers services, such as free ESL training, settlement counselling, employment workshops and more. They also often have host programs that buddy up newcomers with volunteers who help guide them through their first few months in Canada. See cic.gc.ca for a list of agencies across the country. See Settlement.Org for a list of agencies in Ontario.
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. Without it, you cannot get a job or apply for any government assistance or credit. Applications for a SIN card can be made through a Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) office — check the blue pages of your local telephone book under Government of Canada.
Apply for your official health care card. Application forms for these cards are available from doctor’s offices, hospitals and most pharmacies, or by calling the provincial medical services authorities. Since there is a three-month waiting period for coverage in Ontario, B.C. and some other provinces, don’t delay in your application. Ensure you have temporary private health coverage to cover your family during the waiting period.
Open an account at a bank or credit union near your home. It’s important to start a relationship with a bank as soon as possible, so you can manage your money, pay your bills and begin building a credit history.
Validate your professional credentials. Contact a local foreign credentials assessment service, such as World Education Services (wes.org/ca) in Toronto or the International Credential Evaluation Service in B.C. (bcit.ca/ices).
Get your Canadian driver’s licence. An international licence is only valid for a few months. Check with your provincial motor vehicle branch on the rules in your province.
Enrol your kids at school. Every child between the ages of five and 16 is entitled to, and in fact required to, attend school. Ask at schools in your neighbourhood or contact the local school board for guidance.
Want more tips on how to navigate your new life in Canada? Click here to access our Welcome to Canada Guide
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