Complete Guide to Settling in Canada: A to Z Tips for Newcomers to Ease into Life

Experience in Canadian immigration is also among the top searched keywords on internet search engines.

This is no surprise, as Canada welcomes thousands of immigrants from around the world each year. The Maple Leaf country is known for its friendly atmosphere, peaceful living environment, and attractive policies for immigrants.

Starting a new life in Canada can be one of the most important decisions you have ever made.

In the early months of arriving in the maple leaf country, you will likely face many challenges, confusion, and not know where to start or what to prepare.

The following article will provide you with the most valuable immigration experience to Canada. See it now!

1. Experience in Immigrating to Canada via Visa

1.1. Check If You Need a Visa

The first thing you need to do when planning to move to Canada is to determine if you need a visa to enter Canada. Some specific groups may enter without a visa or only require an electronic authorization.

For example, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada for up to six months.

1.2. Find a Suitable Immigration Pathway

Canada offers various immigration programs, and depending on what you’re looking for, you can apply for the program that best fits your situation. Some of the most popular options include:

Express Entry Program	This is the fastest way to obtain permanent residency in Canada. However, you must be a skilled individual to participate. This pathway is points-based, and you will be assessed on your experience, qualifications, education, and skills.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)	This is a stream under the Express Entry program. The minimum requirement for this category is at least 10 years of work experience in managerial, professional, and technical occupations, and skilled trades.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)	Before applying for this category, you need at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years. You must also meet language requirements for each skill (speaking, reading, writing, listening)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)	To participate in this program, you must be nominated by a province in Canada and meet its eligibility requirements. Each province targets specific groups such as students, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and semi-skilled workers.
Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)	This immigration program is specifically for those who want to live in Quebec. To obtain this permit, you must apply to the Government of Quebec for a Certificat de sélection du Québec and follow their guidelines.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)	With this program, you can only move to Atlantic Canada, which includes New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Labrador.
Self-Employed Visa	You need to provide evidence that you can be self-employed in Canada and have sufficient work experience in cultural or sporting activities.
Start-Up Visa	For the start-up visa, you need a qualifying business idea and a letter of support from a designated organization. Additionally, you must meet language requirements and your business must generate enough income to settle in Canada.

In addition to the Express Entry Program, you can move to Canada for family or study purposes:

• Family Reunification Pathway: You can apply for family reunification in Canada if you have a spouse/partner or parents/grandparents in Canada. Other relatives may sponsor you in specific cases.
• Study Permit Pathway: To qualify for a student visa in Canada, you must be enrolled in a valid educational program. However, a student visa often cannot be converted into a work or residency visa directly. After completing your studies, you can apply for a post-graduation work permit.

1.3. Apply for a Permit

Once you know which type of visa you need, you can start the application process for a Canadian visa.

First, you need to create an online account on the Canadian immigration website and answer some questions to determine your eligibility for the visa.

If you are eligible, you will need to provide your email address to receive instructions on the specific type of visa, a list of required documents, and a reference number. Make sure to keep the reference number as you will need it for the rest of your application.

You will then receive instructions on how to submit your application, either online or in person:

Online Submission: If you can apply online, you will need to create a Government of Canada (GCKey) account or use your bank details (if applicable).

Paper Application: For paper applications, you need to prepare your documents and submit them to the Canadian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

In addition, be prepared to pay your visa application fee.

With experience in immigration to Canada, keep in mind that fees vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, and you may also incur additional costs for translation services and express delivery.

1.4. Move to Canada

After submitting your application, it may take several weeks to receive a response. The average waiting time is about 6 months, but it can extend up to 18 months if you applied by paper. During this time, ensure you prepare everything necessary for your move to Canada.

If you plan to ship your belongings to Canada, you must create two detailed copies of an inventory list of all your items.

Include items that will arrive with you and those that will arrive later. For those items, include their value, manufacturer, model, and serial number.

Generally, you are not required to pay duties on everyday goods such as clothing, furniture, jewelry, silverware, antiques, books, computers, musical instruments, etc. However, you should check entry requirements to ensure there are no concerns.

If your application is approved, you will receive an email with the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if needed, a permanent resident visa.

Upon arriving in Canada, you must use ArrivalCan, which you can download from the Apple Store or Google Play—ensure you use the latest version.

You can use Canadian immigration services to help you have the experience of settlement in Canada and the adaptation process. Additionally, Canada provides a “Welcome to Canada Guide” to make your transition smoother.

See more: Should You Immigrate to Canada?

2. Settlement Tips for Newcomers to Canada

As a new resident in Canada, you need to know some essential tips for settling in Canada, such as:

– Rent/Buy Housing: When you first arrive in Canada, you might opt for temporary accommodation such as hotels, hostels, or Airbnb while you search for a more permanent place to live.

Renting is generally preferred over buying in the initial stages of relocation. The average cost for a one-bedroom apartment is around CAD 1,500. However, keep in mind that prices in major cities can be significantly higher.

– Opening a Bank Account: After moving to Canada, you’ll need a bank account for transactions and money transfers. To open an account, you will need an identification card. 

A permanent resident card is sufficient for this purpose. To make this process easier, several banks offer programs specifically for “newcomers”, including:

• National Bank of Canada
• Montreal Bank
• Royal Bank of Canada
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)

– Healthcare: Canada provides free healthcare services to its citizens and residents, but your provincial healthcare coverage may not be available until about three months after your arrival. 

Therefore, during this initial period, consider purchasing private health insurance. Note that national healthcare coverage in Canada does not include all services, such as dental care, ambulance services, and prescription drugs. Therefore, you might need additional health insurance plans.

– Taxes: In Canada, you are required to pay taxes at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels. Income tax is automatically deducted from your salary, but if you are self-employed, you will need to make tax payments periodically. 

In addition, in Canada, you must pay sales tax on every purchase you make. So do not be surprised if prices change at the cash register when you shop.

3. Preparing for Moving to Canada: Essential Packing Tips

When viewing tips for settling in Canada, it is important for you to be well-prepared with your belongings. Although the country is known for its cold weather and snowfall, temperatures, and climate can vary significantly depending on the season and location in Canada.

Winter in Canada can last from late November to late March, depending on seasonal changes. For newcomers arriving during this period, it’s advisable to bring the following warm clothing:

• Wool Hats/Touques
• Outer Jackets/Parka/Heavy Coats that can be layered
• Sweaters, Jackets, and/or Onesies for layering (wool is a popular choice due to its natural temperature-regulating properties and general odor resistance)
• Long Pants/Loose Jeans that can be layered if desired
• Leggings, Long Pants, or Other Multi-Layer Materials for your legs
• Thick, Warm Socks (wool is also a common option here)
• Winter Boots (waterproof/snow-resistant); many people choose to buy footwear once they arrive in Canada, as there are various options available at different price points depending on the weather conditions in the country.

On the other hand, Canada (a country with four seasons) has warmer months (although they can still be relatively cold in many areas where newcomers might arrive).

For instance, during the summer, many provinces experience daily temperatures ranging from 16-29°C (about 60-82°F), often with moderate to strong winds. During peak summer months like June and July, temperatures can rise to 30-35°C (86-95°F). During these months, you should pack:

• Lighter jackets/sweaters
• Hats/sunglasses as the sun can be quite intense
• Sunscreen (if spending extended time outdoors)

The transitional seasons of spring and fall (approximately March-May and September-November) can be a mix of summer and winter weather. For example, in fall, temperatures can drop to single digits with increasing winds, while spring can bring heavy rain and even light snow.

If traveling to Canada during these times, prepare for mixed weather. Newcomers may also choose to check the weather forecast for the week they arrive to better prepare for their clothing needs.

Newcomers are allowed to bring their belongings when settling in Canada, with the provision to bring additional items on subsequent trips.

However, they must complete the CBSA declaration form to legally declare significant assets and should be aware of border regulations regarding permitted food and goods.

4. Some Frequently Asked Questions About Settling in Canada

4.1. What assets can I bring with me when I first arrive in Canada?

There is no limit on the amount of cash a person can bring into Canada. However, any amount exceeding CAD 10,000 must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

In addition, new Permanent Residents (PRs) can bring high-value items (such as jewelry) without paying taxes.

However, if the value of these items exceeds CAD 10,000, they must be declared on a goods list submitted to CBSA upon entry into Canada. This requirement also applies to goods brought in after the initial arrival.

Please note that previous residents (including temporary residents such as students, work permit holders, or visitors transitioning from temporary to permanent residency) must declare assets valued over CAD 10,000 and may be subject to applicable taxes and duties on those assets.

4.2. How can I send money to Canada before I land for the first time?

Newcomers are required to declare cash amounts of CAD 10,000 or more upon entry. While this is not necessarily a barrier for those settling in Canada (since there are no taxes on declared cash), many may still be concerned about traveling with large amounts of cash.

However, if you prefer not to carry a large sum of cash, there are several options for sending money to Canada before you arrive:

Some banks in Canada offer specific programs for newcomers, allowing you to open an account online from abroad. 

These accounts may sometimes be investment accounts (non-trading) and can also help in proving financial status when applying for immigration.

If you have reliable friends or family residing in Canada, you can send money to them before your arrival and use those funds once you are in Canada. 

This can be done through international money transfer services.

Permanent Residents can also perform a soft landing (where they land in Canada to activate their PR status but do not settle at that time) and open a bank account while physically present in Canada. 

Once this is done, transferring money from a foreign bank account to a Canadian account is a relatively simple process.

4.3. How can I get a phone/internet plan when I am in Canada?

Newcomers can choose phone and internet plans that best suit their needs for international calls or internet usage.

Hence, consider specifically looking for plans with features such as international calling and texting, large data packages, unlimited internet, and high-speed download and upload rates with larger bandwidth.

Many newcomers at major Canadian airports will find options to set up a new phone plan at the airport. Canadian telecommunications providers offer a range of plans, including features like texting and calling within Canada, unlimited data, and international calling.

In addition, phone plans may offer new phones (which can be financed through monthly phone bill payments) or new SIM cards for use in existing devices (these are known as “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) plans).

Note that BYOD plans tend to be less expensive as the cost of financing a phone is added monthly to the phone bill when purchasing a new phone.

New customers will also need to choose between prepaid or postpaid plans. Prepaid plans are paid for in advance and billed based on usage, while postpaid plans allow customers to pay on a monthly schedule according to their contract.

Newcomers should be aware that some postpaid plans may require a credit check with a Canadian credit history.

Home internet setup usually occurs after finding long-term housing. However, the process is similar and straightforward: customers select their preferred plan with the provider and then contact them (by phone or online) to schedule an appointment for a technician to install the internet connection and provide a Wi-Fi router.

Many apartment buildings also have a preferred building provider, often resulting in a faster and easier setup process for home internet.

4.4. Can I use my international driver’s license in Canada?

An international driver’s license can be very useful for newcomers to Canada. Depending on the specific regulations and rules of the province, a foreign driver’s license (depending on the issuing country) or an international driver’s permit may be used to drive legally in Canada and even to rent a car.

For example, in Ontario, a person with an international driver’s license can drive for up to three months (after which they must obtain an Ontario driver’s license).

Quebec requires its own international driver’s permit (which must be issued in the country where the original driver’s license was issued). This permit is valid for the duration of the international license.

Newcomers are encouraged to learn the specific rules and regulations for the province they are moving to, in order to adequately prepare for their driving and transportation needs.

4.5. What documents are needed for settling in Canada?

Reviewing the experience of settling in Canada to receive a Permanent Resident (PR) card upon arriving in Canada, newcomers will need to prepare the following documents:

• A valid passport
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document
• Permanent residence visa depending on the country of origin (individuals with COPR from visa-exempt countries do not need an eTA to enter Canada). You can find a full list of countries requiring a visa or eTA [here].
• Proof of financial support (with an amount corresponding to the family size and number of dependents) to show that you can provide for your family upon arriving in Canada.

5. So, What Do You Need to Prepare for Settling in Canada?

In general, when preparing to settle in Canada, you should consider the following:

• Experience of Settling in Canada Through Visa Application
• Experience of Settling in Canada for Newcomers
• Experience of Settling in Canada Regarding Packing and Preparing Belongings
• Frequently Asked Questions About Settling in Canada

These guidelines provide a comprehensive overview of what to prepare for when moving to Canada, helping to make your life in the Maple Leaf country more comfortable.

If you have any further questions about settling in Canada, feel free to comment below. The ImmiPath consulting team will support and advise you with the expertise to help you choose the best path for settling in Canada.

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