Canadian immigrants have a plethora of life and career choices. To counterbalance the ageing population, the federal government has implemented a number of immigration programs, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, and others. These programs have resulted in an increase in the number of well-educated, experienced, and skilled people in Canada.
New immigrants experience difficulties settling in and adjusting to life in Canada. Adapting to a new culture, time zone and climate may take a couple of weeks. Here are some tips you can follow to ease up this transition in Canada:
Apply for a SIN number
To work in Canada, you will need your Social Insurance Number, which is a nine-digit number. Your SIN will start with a ‘9’ if you are in Canada on a temporary work permit.
You may get a SIN at any Service Canada office and assuming that there is no rush, you will be able to get your SIN in about half an hour. You should not forget to bring your employment or study permit to your Service Canada appointment.
Purchase a local cell phone plan
The sooner you buy a local phone plan, the more you would be able to avoid your home provider’s expensive roaming charges. There are several options for Postpaid and Prepaid plans. The most popular phone carriers in Canada are Fido, Rogers, Bell, Telus, Virgin Mobile and Freedom.
Build your Network
Use networking tools like LinkedIn to meet people who were born and raised in Canada or have lived there for a long time to gain a better grasp of local culture and market trends. Consult with experts in your field to determine whether any certifications or licenses are required for your job.
To expand your understanding of local best practices, attend conferences, networking events, and workshops near your workplace or residence.
Open a Canadian bank account
It is very important to open up a bank account in Canada so you can manage your bills, debit card payments, and avoid possibly costly withdrawals from your existing account of your home country. Keep in mind that each bank checking accounts also known as ‘current accounts’ frequently come with monthly fees. This will also help you build a good credit history in Canada and facilitate your daily activities. Some of the most popular Banks in Canada include RBC, Scotiabank, TD Canada Trust, CIBC and BMO.
Apply for Canadian healthcare
Citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents of Canada may be eligible for public medical care, which varies by province and covers medical expenses. Each family member will receive a provincial or territory government-issued health card only if qualified.
Newcomers to several provinces and territories may be required to wait for a certain period before becoming eligible for public health insurance. You must apply for temporary private health insurance until you are eligible.
Be aware about your rights and duties
One of the most important things for you to learn is about your rights, obligations, advantages, and privileges, even before you arrive in Canada. Permanent Residents (PRs) of Canada have many of the same rights and advantages as citizens of Canada, while temporary residents have different rights.
These rights are defined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which provides legal protection for the people of Canada’s fundamental rights and freedoms.
Get help from organizations for newcomers
Local Newcomers organizations can help you to find a place to live or help you get settled in Canada. You can also reach out to them if you have questions about things like administrative procedures, transportation, the school system or finding a job.
Moving to a new country is hard. There’s a lot to think about both before and after your arrival in Canada. To ensure your new adventure sail smoothly in Canada, take advantage of all the support available to you.
If you need any immigration help, feel free to contact us.
