How to start a life in Canada - First things to do

Lots of people come to Canada to find a living and comfortable life. Canada also welcomes immigrants with open hearts.

This post is directed towards helping people who comes to Canada, the post highlights some of the formalities which have to be completed when you land in Canada.

1. Get a SIN (Social Insurance Number)

• SIN or Social Insurance Number is the national identity number provided by Canadian Government.
• SIN is required prior to start of any employment in Canada.
• SIN can be applied by visiting “Service Canada” branches.
• Carry your immigration and status documents for SIN application.

Note: You get your SIN immediately from Service Canada.

Temporary SIN (Workers or Students) start from digit 9 and Permanent (PR or Citizen) SIN starts from digit 5. 

2. Find a place to live

• If you have already have a place to live then skip this step.
• Else find a place to rent.
• Contact a “Real Estate Broker” and provide your requirements.
• Broker will find you a place and they do not charge anything from tenant.
• You need first and last month rent in advance for renting.
• If you do not have a credit history in Canada then you might have to provide guarantee of somebody or employment letter from your employer.

3. Open Bank Account

• Once you have got your SIN then you can open a bank account.
• There are many banks in Canada but few good ones are TD, CIBC, RBC, NBC and BMO.
• They will have lots of account types, you can choose what suits your needs.

Note: Transactions are limited on each account types, hence choose which suits you.

Also, apply for a credit card along with account, you might get a secured credit card but this is needed for you credit history.

4. Take Phone Connection

• Once you have your SIN, Address Proof (Rent Lease) and Bank Account; you can get a phone connection (Cell Phone)
• There are many big cellphone providers in Canada but some good ones are Rogers, Telus, Fido, Koodo and Wind.
• You can either choose to take the phone set along with connection which would be in contract for minimum two years or bring your own phone and take SIM only.
• Usually bring your phone connections costs you less.

4. Health Insurance Card

• Medical facilities are provided for free in Canada.
• Apply for Health Insurance Card for the province you are living in.
• You will get your card after living in the same province for minimum three months but you can apply when you land.
• Health Insurance Cards can be applied by visiting Provincial Service Centers like Service Ontario, Service Alberta etc.

5. Create CRA account and file your taxes

• Canada has financial year from Jan 1^st to Dec 31^st.
• Tax season is from Jan 1^st to April 30^th for last year.
• CRA (Canadian Revenue Agency) is centralized tax agency of Canada.
• You file your taxes either online or by visiting a tax accountant.
• After filing taxes, you create an account on CRA website; and you can track you tax info online afterwards.

Keep reading for more such facts.

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