There are certain things to do in your first week as a permanent resident/ foreign worker arriving in Canada. The following represents five steps newcomers must take in their first week after coming to Canada.

While it’s vital to look towards the future as an immigrant to Canada, it is equally as important to ensure you take the right steps upon your arrival in this nation to ensure that you are correctly positioning yourself for long-term success as a new permanent resident/ temporary foreign worker. 

Presented in no particular order, the list below highlights things to do in your first week as a permanent resident. 

  • Receive Health Insurance 

Irrespective of which group you fall under when you arrive in the nation, all foreign nationals have to quickly secure insurance in the territory/ province of residence. Health insurance is important because it ensures that you will not have to pay total out-of-pocket costs for healthcare in the nation.  

Depending on the territory/ province you will be living in, you might need to wait a designated length of time before you are eligible for public health insurance. This implies that you might require private health insurance in the interim to ensure that you are covered in case of a medical emergency.

Note: All residents of Canada will also benefit from following up with their employers about health insurance policies in case they have a job in Canada. 

It is important to note that private health insurance is beneficial for all Canadian residents, even as a complement to public health insurance, because there are limitations to what each territorial/ provincial government covers with their public health insurance plan. 

  • Update Your Address With IRCC 

In order to get your permanent resident card & other IRCC documents by mail, the immigration department must be made aware of the residential address in Canada. The Canadian government notes that upon landing in Canada, immigrants have over 180 days to update their address online at IRCC. 

  • Open A Bank Account 

A bank account is necessary for all immigrants & foreign professionals in Canada. This is because the accounts are available from various institutions with branches & offices across the nation, thus allowing permanent residents & temporary foreign workers to manage their daily spending & pay their bills. In simpler terms, bank accounts are vital for controlling the flow of income & expenses for all Canadian residents. 

Note: Many Canadian banks also have certain offers for newcomers to this nation. 

  • Obtain A Social Insurance Number 

A SIN can be obtained at the nearest Service Canada location in your city of residence. SINs are attainable for any immigrant with a legal status in Canada, enabling them to work in this country. 

The number is a unique and confidential nine-digit identifier that your employer needs to facilitate the payment of wages. 

For Canadian Immigrants: A resource for seeking work in Canada.

For Canadian Foreign Workers: A resource all about working in Canada.  

  • Get A Cellphone/ Phone Number 

In today’s digital age, immigrants, as well as temporary foreign workers in Canada, must get a cell phone to stay connected to family and friends, both locally & abroad. 

The Canadian telecoms landscape provides many alternatives for newcomers with respect to cell phone providers, each of which offers a range of plans as well as devices at varying price points depending upon the needs of individuals. 

Note: The variety of available device & plan alternatives makes it crucial that Canadian immigrants & foreign workers explore all available alternatives before committing to a plan. 

Newcomers to Canada must be aware that most telecom companies generally require consumers seeking postpaid phone plans to have a Canadian credit score. In some cases, specific providers will allow newcomers to access postpaid plan alternatives if they have a good enough international credit score. Immigrants who are initially ineligible for a postpaid plan might opt for a prepaid option & switch to a postpaid plan once they build their credit score.