Last Updated On 31 July 2024, 11:29 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
For the vast majority of people, the opportunity to get permanent residence (PR) in Canada is like a fairy tale. So, kudos to you if you’ve received your PR! Well done!
Now that you’ve completed all the planning, envisioning, and PR status checks, what comes next?
When you arrive in Canada as a permanent resident, there are 10 important things that you must plan to do immediately after landing to ensure successful integration.
Table of Contents
Activating permanent residency
You need to validate your Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) to activate your permanent residency.
The COPR and Visa just serve as confirmations of your permanent residency status.
However, you must activate it when you arrive at the first Canadian port of entry.
When the interview is about to begin, the immigration officer will ask you a few broad questions.
Once they are satisfied, they will stamp your confirmation of permanent residency (COPR). That being said, your PR is now active.
This can also be done online for temporary residents already inside Canada transitioning to permanent residents via an online portal.
A permanent resident card is not immediately given to new permanent residents; rather, it is mailed to their Canadian address provided at the airport or while confirming PR online.
Get Social Insurance Number
The acquisition of a Social Insurance Number (SIN) needs to be your next course of action. Working in Canada requires this nine-digit number.
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) can be obtained by the new permanent residents at the airport. For example, at Toronto Pearson Airport, there is a Service Canada office open during the week.
Alternatively, newcomers can apply it at one of the Service Canada physical locations or online and have it mailed to them.
Click here to learn more about how to apply for SIN online.
Apply For Benefits
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is the official agency for the government of Canada and most of the provinces and territories.
There are many benefits that are offered to Canadians with permanent residency, including the GST/HST rebate, the Canada Child Benefit, the Canada Workers Benefit, etc.
Usually, these benefits are automatically paid to tax-paying permanent residents, but newcomers arriving after the tax filing months need to apply to avail of these benefits.
Click here to check out 4 monetary CRA benefits for newcomers and how to apply.
Open Your First Bank Account
Banking in Canada is easy. Nevertheless, various account types come with varying fees.
Selecting the bank that meets your requirements is of utmost importance. However, opening a bank account should be your first priority upon arrival.
With this, you won’t have to worry about overdrawing your home account or falling behind on payments.
Finally, make sure you compare the ‘Newcomers’ programs and offers’ of various banks before opening an account.
Some banks may offer iPads or bonuses for newcomers to Canada.
Click here for more information on the best banks in Canada.
Getting Your First Mobile Connection
When you arrive in Canada, one more thing you should do is get a Canadian cell phone plan with good coverage.
Similar to banks, cellphone companies can also offer attractive plans for new immigrants.
Therefore, do your homework to find a plan that works for you. Rogers and Bell are the major players in the Canadian cellphone industry.
Find Accommodation
It is crucial to find a decent area to reside in. This may seem like a demanding job, but there are many resources available to assist you in finding a place to stay.
You can find a variety of choices on websites such as Kijiji, rental boards, and City Guides.
Finding month-on-month rentals is difficult and often expensive, while a 12-month lease is the most common for renting in major cities.
Do review the agreement carefully to avoid any future conflict with the owner.
Click here for more information on how to find accommodation in Canada.
Obtain A Health Card
The government finances health care in Canada. Having a health card makes you eligible for health benefits.
While it is often perceived outside of Canada that healthcare in Canada is universal and free, that is not always the case.
For example, Canadians with health cards get free consultations at any walk-in clinic or hospital but have to pay for most of the medicines at pharmacies out of their own pocket.
Consequently, you need to get a health card application in as soon as possible. To pick one up, visit the provincial service office in your area.
Be informed that newcomers to Canada are currently finding it difficult to get a family doctor, so start exploring the options as soon as you land.
Click here to find more information about healthcare in Canada.
Finding a Job
This part is hard to achieve with the drop in job vacancies in Canada and Canadian employers often look for professionals with Canadian experience.
However, there are multiple jobs that target newcomers to Canada and the government of Canada has a dedicated job portal for new immigrants.
It is always advisable to start exploring and applying for a job in Canada as soon as permanent residency is confirmed.
Click here to access the official job bank portal for newcomers to Canada.
Learn Canadian values
Canada is diverse and aligning yourself with Canadian culture is an important aspect of integrating into the Canadian economy.
Be respectful, which is at the core of every Canadian and you will often hear “sorry” and “thank you.”
It is usually a saying that “C” in Canada stands for being compassionate and Canadians are welcoming by nature.
Finally Explore
Rather than settling in any major city such as Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, it is advisable to explore nearby cities before making the final decision.
Canada keeps getting even more beautiful as you keep going away from the major cities.
Take some time off. Join a social group. In your first week in Canada, do something on your bucket list.
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