Immigration Announcement
Six Tips on How to Get Settled in Canada
The more research and preparation you do before moving to Canada, the more convenient it is for you after your arrival. Once you arrive at the land of opportunities, you will definitely have a few things left to do to get off to your journey in Canada. We’ve rounded up some helpful tips to get you settled in Canada.
1. Accommodation
First and foremost, find accommodation like a hotel room, short-term rental, or an apartment. Most of the newcomers plan on staying with their family and friends during the initial days. Whatever you choose, always remember that your first lodgings will be temporary. You will be better equipped to zero down on a house after you have settled down a bit.
You can refer to the resources to find a place to stay on a long-term basis on:
- Social Media
- Classified Websites
- Property and Rental Websites
- Organizations for newcomers to Canada
Most of the Canadian cities offer resources to help newcomers with affordable housing. To stand eligible, one needs to meet certain conditions such as income.
2. Apply For SIN (Social Insurance Number)
Another one of the first things after you arrive in Canada is to apply for a SIN (Social Insurance Number) promptly. This is a national identification number which is issued by the government of Canada. The process doesn’t cost anything and is essential for a number of things in the country.
You can easily apply for SIN online or by reaching out to the professional at the Service Canada office.
3. Apply For Health Insurance
Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to get free healthcare under Canada’s healthcare system. Newcomers are required to obtain temporary health insurance to cover them until they become eligible for the public healthcare policy. The eligibility and waiting period totally depend upon the province or territory. Apply for the health card from your province or the territory as soon as you become eligible.
4. Open a Bank Account
If you have already started the process of opening a bank account online before moving to Canada, then you must visit the branch to confirm your identity to complete the process. At the branch, you will be offered a bank card that allows you to carry out various transactions in stores and withdraw cash from ABMs. In case, you do not have an account, just visit any financial institution branch in your province or territory to open one.
5. Register at the country’s Consulate
Although it’s not necessary to register with your country’s consulate, however, it’s usually advantageous to do so. They may be very helpful with the following:
- Official documents (e.g., passport)
- Registering to vote in your home country
- Your retirement pension
- Scholarships
- Assistance in the event of emergencies
- Information and advice on settling in Canada
- A list of organizations for newcomers
6. Take help from the organizations for newcomers
You may already have had help from the newcomer’s organizations to find accommodation or paperwork during the arrival. These local organizations also help you get settled in Canada. You can reach out to them for administrative procedures, transport, or schooling.
