A life-changing trip begins with planning, preparation, anticipation, anxiety, and sometimes fear. Not knowing what lies on the other side could easily overwhelm one with all these moving parts. This guide covers three stages of essential things to do before travelling: before, during, and after arrival in Canada. These three stages will be covered over the next three posts.

Stage III of III: Upon Arrival in Canada

 Life in a new country like Canada may differ from your home country, so knowing what services or primary things help you get started is essential. Some of those essentials include Housing, Banking, Health care, Social Insurance Number (SIN), Transit system, cell phone providers, and Weather.

Housing: Before arriving in Canada, having a warm place to live is preferable. If cost is a concern, staying with family or friends is preferable to lodging in a hotel or Airbnb. Choice of housing includes living in a shared home with roommates, apartments, suites, and owning your own home or condo. Some property owners or landlords may require you to sign a lease and pay damage/security deposits, which may be equivalent to a month’s rent. To find a place to rent, websites like Facebook community pages or marketplace and kijiji.ca are the most popular sites for posting.
Banking: Many financial institutions provide banking services online and have a local branch in your area that can be easily accessed. It is essential to bring some form of Identification, like a passport or Canadian driver’s license, and proof of address, such as utility bills. Canadian banks accept US dollars and convert them to Canadian dollars to be deposited in your new bank account (Chequing and savings accounts).
Health care: Health care is accessible to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, including some temporary resident permit holders. To apply for health care, visit your provincial or local health care centre to obtain a health care card and bring some form of identification and your status documentation.
SIN: The government of Canada issues a unique 9-digit number to residents who choose to access government programs and benefits and, most significantly, the ability to work. Examples of government benefits are Employment Insurance and pension plans. The individual is responsible for keeping their SIN number safe to prevent fraud.
Transit System: In some cities, many transit options are available, such as buses, taxis, and light rail (LRT). Most of these services accept cash, debit, credit card, or transit tickets for several rides and daily/monthly passes, which can be purchased from the transit website, kiosks, and stores.
Cellphone Providers: Various cellular service providers offer SIM card purchases, mainly sold in malls or kiosks. These packages are usually split into two main categories: Bring your own phone (BYOP) and Contract phone plans through your provider at varied prices. Again, do not forget to bring some Identification for the SIM card registration.
Weather: The weather seasons in Canada can range from deep below zero degrees in the winter to hot summer weather, which has become more common in recent years. Dressing for the weather is essential, especially from fall through the winter, which is typically August through December, and May, which is around spring. The layers to consider are quality winter jackets, winter hats, winter gloves, winter boots and socks, scarves and thermal underwear.

Please share your experiences, personal stories, or research on the related topic above and leave a comment or questions below.

• News