Checklist for Newcomers - Landed Immigrant
+3 months - Before you leave home
Moving
Banking
Open a bank account with a Canadian bank. This will make it easier to transfer funds to Canada and is one of the most cost-effective ways to bring money into the country. It also means you will have your funds readily available when you arrive, making it easier to settle in Canada. For example, to rent an apartment you may be asked to show proof of funds, which you will be able to provide with a bank statement if you have already opened an account and transferred your funds.
Estimate monthly living expenses based on: where in Canada you will live, type of accommodation and transportation, schooling and living expenses such as food, clothing, utilities and entertainment.
Living
Consider taking additional language courses to continue your mastery of English or French if you are not proficient in the language you expect to be using. While you will find that many different languages are spoken in Canada — and large organizations like RBC® offer services in more than 150 languages — speaking one or both official languages will help you settle successfully.
Learn more about Canada’s large cities, smaller cities and rural areas — including the climates in the various regions of the country — to help you decide where you want to settle down.
Research the labour market in the area of Canada where you will be living. Different provinces and cities have different concentrations of industries. The official government website that will give you all statistics on the labour market is www.WorkinginCanada.gc.ca. Other useful websites include www.workopolis.com,www.monster.ca, www.careerbuilder.ca and www.working.comwww.working.com.
Collect all documents pertaining to your education, such as degrees, diplomas and certificates, transcripts, program descriptions and detailed course information, language skills test results, and accreditation, for each family member. Allow time to order any that are missing.
Have your credentials evaluated and get information about regulated professions, to create a plan for how to acquire equivalencies or a licence from the regulatory body in Canada. Different provinces in Canada may recognize different credentials, and obtaining accreditation may be challenging. Depending on your country or origin and where you are planning to immigrate, the process for accreditation may be different and may require you to make arrangements before you leave. For more information, visitwww.workingincanada.gc.ca.
1 - 3 months - Before you leave home
Moving
Ensure that you have a valid passport for each family member coming to Canada.
Set a date for your arrival in Canada and book your travel tickets early, to get a better price. Try to set a date that is a week to 10 days before the end of the month. Since most lease agreements begin at the start of the month, this should give you sufficient time to look for permanent accommodation and sign your lease so that you can move in at the beginning of the next month.
Review the list of what you can and can’t bring to Canada.
Prepare a list of all personal and household items you will be bringing with you. You will need to carry with you two copies of this list. Consider bringing essential household items since your shipment may arrive up to a month after you do.
Prepare a list of all the items that will arrive later, noting their monetary value. You will need to carry with you two copies of this list to submit to immigration authorities when you arrive.
Begin packing your belongings, starting as early as you can to avoid a last-minute rush.
Check rates and usage with your cell phone provider and think about whether you will keep your cell phone until you have settled in Canada. Otherwise, start the process of closing or suspending your phone.
Avoid penalties by setting up automatic monthly payments on utilities, tax and other payments on your home if you are not selling it before you move. Try to ensure that you minimize these expenses by suspending full services if possible.
If you are bringing a pet, check with the airline for restrictions or requirements for travelling with animals. Visit a licensed veterinarian to ensure that your cat or dog is up-to-date on rabies vaccinations and to obtain appropriate documentation of vaccination.
Living
Working
Less than 1 month - Before you leave home
Moving
Banking
Order some Canadian dollars, so that you have cash to cover out-of-pocket expenses the first couple of days after arriving. . If you have opened a Canadian banking account from your home country, when you first arrive in Canada, you will need to come to the branch, submit your documents and activate your account. You will then be able to access the money in your account.
Transfer funds to your Canadian banking account. When you arrive you may be asked by the immigration authorities to prove that you have the required funds to support yourself and your family. Already having the funds in your Canadian banking account will make this easier.
Check how much money you will be bringing into Canada in form of cash, cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, bankers’ drafts, stocks, bonds, debentures or treasury bills. You must report amounts of $10,000 or more, whether in Canadian dollars or the equivalent amount in your country’s currency to Canada Border Services Agency when you enter Canada.
Living
Working
Request a reference letter from your current employer once you give notice in your job.
Check job listing websites in Canada and industry-specific sources for current job openings; for example, www.jobbank.gc.ca, www.workopolis.com, www.monster.ca,www.working.com and www.careerbuilder.ca.
Contact potential Canadian employers or visit their websites and check the job postings/careers section.