The Immigrant Podcast

Transcript:

You have just landed in Canada, you’ve done so much to come to this beautiful country. And your countless efforts have paid off as you have just passed customs and heard a warm “welcome to Canada” from the immigration officer. But now what?

Welcome to The Immigrant Podcast and today I am covering 5 essentials steps you should do as a newcomer, and it doesn’t matter if you’re a student or skilled worker with your PR. This applies to everyone. So here we go.

Number 1. First and foremost, I recommend to find permanent housing. Considering you’re coming to Canada on your own, you have no friends or family to stay with, you probably got an Airbnb or hotel. The reason why I think it’s great to first live at a temporary accommodation is that if you get an apartment, let’s say online, there’s a huge possibility you might be scammed or the place will not correspond with the pictures and description. Also, upon physical arrival you can get to know the area and see for yourself if you would want to stay there. Anyway, now it’s a great idea to find something permanent. I recommend checking out Kijiji and Re/Max. And you can always ask locals if they know someone who might be renting out. I am always amazed by the power of a good network.

Number 2. SIN or Social Insurance Number. This is a number issued in Canada to administer various government programs. Basically, it’s your second passport, as without this number, you won’t be able to do anything in Canada. If you’re in Canada on a temporary work permit, your SIN will begin with a ‘5’, if you’re on a student visa, - with a ‘9’.

You can apply for a SIN at any Service Canada office, you should have it all done in under 30 minutes. To find Service Canada - just google it and find the nearest one. Be sure to bring your passport, as well as immigration documents (such as work or study permit) with you. Normally your SIN will be issued on the spot.

Number 3. Get a bank account. (This is really important, as it allows you to make transactions and basically be a part of the society) Once you get your Social Insurance Number, it’s time to open a Canadian bank account. This is easily done at any major bank in Canada. The biggest banks include RBC, BMO and TD. Most of these banks offer special deals for newcomers and students: you can get a chequing account with no monthly or annual fees. And sometimes you can get up to $100 for signing up. I personally got $60 with RBC. Remember 2 main things: do your research and schedule an appointment if you don’t want to wait for hours.

Number 4. Get a credit card. While you are there at the bank, you should also apply for a credit card. I can’t emphasize it enough! This step is crucial, as it will allow you to start building your credit score, which will save you thousands of dollars later. In another episode I will explain credit score.

Number 5. Get a health insurance. In Canada, if you don’t have health insurance and something happens to you - you’re risking getting thousand dollar medical bills and this is easily avoidable if you simply get a health insurance. In most cases you will be able to apply for state health insurance, which is free (unless you’re on a tourist visa or short student visa). However, the wait might be quite long, so it’s much better to get a paid insurance for a short period when you’re waiting. Also, it’s important to check what your provincial insurance covers, and for stuff it doesn’t you can always get a private insurance, to be safe.

So those were my top 5 recommendations for newcomers to Canada. Thank you for listening and don’t forget to share your tips and tell me if I missed something. Subscribe for more interesting content! Have a beautiful day!