Preparing for Life in New Community
Two of the most significant elements to consider for proper settlement into your new community are housing and education for your children (if any). The more you learn and prepare for your new community, the easier your transition into Canadian society will be.
Learn about housing options in the area where you intend to reside
Check out Canadian housing listings online through classifieds and real estate agent websites to get an idea about what the market prices are and what style of home you would like. Most newcomers start off in temporary homes or hotels before they find a house or apartment to buy or rent. Learn more about Housing Options in Canada
Find the right school for the student(s) (if any) who are accompanying you
You should be able to research schools in your future community on the internet. Contact the school you're interested in to obtain the information you need to make your decisions. Keep in mind that school applications may need to be made ahead of time. Learn more about Canadian schooling for Children
Research the health care program in the province where you intend to reside
Health care systems vary across provinces/territories. In certain provinces, there is a 3 month delay before Permanent Residents are covered by medicare; in others, international students are not covered by universal health care. Find out ahead of time to avoid surprises.
Learn about the climate in your new community
The spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons in Canada reveal themselves differently throughout the country, with temperatures varying widely across seasons. Prepare yourself for the climate and season in which you intend to land. In winter, you'll need a warm coat - in summer, sandals will do just fine! Click here for a chart of the average temperatures in summer and winter in major cities in Canada
Get in touch with immigrant-serving organizations in your area
There are plenty of cultural and community organizations that help ease immigrant settlement. Get in touch with them ahead of time to see if they have any pre-arrival advice for you. Some are government funded organizations and programs; others are not-for-profit grassroots organizations. If you arrive in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, you will find reception services for new immigrants at the airport. These are run by immigrant-serving organizations and are offered in several languages.
Prepare yourself for landing and going through Customs & Immigration Canada
Arrange for a place to stay upon arrival ahead of time so that once you leave the airport, you have a place to go to for a rest. Make sure you have your status documents and your passport with you (not checked in your luggage) when you arrive at Canadian Customs & Immigration, as well as status documents and passports for each family member traveling with you. Depending on your situation, you may need additional documents (refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website).
During your first few days...
Once you've made it through Canadian Customs and Immigration and had a good night's sleep, here are a few things that you should sort out during your first few days in Canada:
Visit immigrant-serving organizations in your area - That's what they're there for. They want to help you make your way - find a job, make connections in the community, help you orient yourself in your neighbourhood, provide you with access to language training (if necessary). They will also be able to answer your questions and advise you as to what to do next. Many can provide you with internet access or can refer you to libraries or internet cafés.
Apply for health care coverage - The application process differs across provinces/territories. Ask representatives at immigrant-serving organizations or refer to government websites for an explanation of the steps to take to obtain health coverage for you and accompanying family (if any).
Apply for a Social Insurance Number- Canadian employers will ask for this number when they hire you. You can obtain more information on the Service Canada website and apply at any Service Canada centre.
Set up a bank account - Visit a financial institution to discuss your banking options.