Reaching Canada is itself a big milestone, but your journey will now start. There are some important things that you should do once you arrive in Canada. These things will give you some comfort and a little jumpstart with everything that you have to do to start your new life here.

First Week:

Before you even arrive in Canada, plan your first few days. This is for all the important documentation work that you need to get done once you are here. This will include your SIN, Bank Account, SIM, and Health Card – in the same order. Keep your documents like Passport, CoPR with you when you are going to get these done and also when you are outside otherwise as well. For your SIM and Health Card you need to have a proof of address and your SIN available, which is why you need your bank account and SIN created beforehand.

SIN:

Book an appointment or show up to any close by Service Canada office as early in the morning as possible and register for your SIN. Keep it safe, do not share it with anyone and much better if you can memorize it. This number is your identification in Canada and equivalent to your CNIC number back in Pakistan. We may share our CNIC in most places in Pakistan, but SIN should not be shared with anyone.

Bank Account:

Once you have applied for your SIN, go to a bank. Any bank you go to will give you some newcomer packages. They will also offer you a credit card which will be delivered to your house address. You will be able to deposit some funds in your account right after opening. Get a bank statement once the process is done since it will have your address and you will need it for the next steps.

SIM:

Pick a network of choice based on your preferences and budget. Do some research before you go so you know what you are shopping for. Depending on your time when you arrive in Canada, there are deals and offers going on for connections which can save you a lot of money and get you a good deal at the same time. For a network connection contract, you will need a bank statement. Customer support staff will verify your bank account details and your house address. You can also get to pick your phone number if you are lucky – or at least part of it if you want. Sign the contract and you are good to go!

Health Card:

Your next stop is a registry. Go to any close by registry and apply for your provincial health card. This is important because to get medical services you need to have a family doctor and to have a family doctor you need a health card. Again, you will need a bank statement or your network connection bill to show at the registry and get registered. Make sure you have these things handy at all times.

Family Doctor:

While medical treatment is mostly free, you can not see a specialist unless referred to one by your family doctor. Wherever you reside, find a family doctor close to your residence and get registered with them. Once your registration is done, they will have you go through all initial medical exams and tests to have a record created for you. If you need to see any specialist including mental health specialists, you can request your family doctor to refer you to one. They will get history and information from you, and refer you to an appropriate one.

Identity Cards:

When you go to apply for your SIN, the same information (address, arrival date etc.) will be used to process your PR Card. Please make sure the address you provide there will still be valid for you for at least 2 months as your PR Card will arrive on that address.

Your Driving License here will be used as a Photo ID. Once you have all other documentation done, try to prepare well for your driving tests and get the license as soon as you can. Once your theory exam is passed, you can surrender your license from Pakistan and ask for driving experience to be added to your new license. This will help with Insurance prices if you go with buying a car later on.

Canada Revenue Agency Account

Getting registered with CRA is vital. Not only you will need this account to do your taxes yearly but sometimes you also get some funds from the Government – which come as a very pleasant surprise.

Once you have opened your CRA account, register yourself for GST/HST as well. For this you can download the application from CRA website, fill it and send it to the given address on the application.

Newcomer Services

Canada Newcomer services are great for people who have just arrived in Canada and need some support to get started here. You can go to any city services and get information from there. They will give you discounted monthly passes for transit, a recreational pass that gives you discounts on city leisure activities and zoo, etc. These services also assist a lot if you are hunting for jobs and will help you get connected with employers and send occasional job postings as well. Teams working there are great and if you need assistance in your own language, you can get that too!

Job Applications

While everyone will tell you there are many jobs here, bear in mind that the competition for those jobs is just as difficult as well. So update your Resume, create a custom cover letter for EACH job that you apply for and keep at it. Every single day. You will have to start from somewhere, it is quite possible that you will not land a white collar job right away. Apply for any job that you think you can do. You will need some Canadian experience, someone in Canada to vouch for you so start your career from wherever you can. Hiring contractors through headhunters is an ongoing big thing here currently, create your profiles with these companies and apply on the job postings everyday. Pro Tip: Apply early in the morning. Remember, only early birds get the fattest worm!

These are a few things that I remember being super important after reaching here. Once you arrive in Canada, your journey of unlearning and relearning will begin as well. Embrace it with open arms and big heart. It will not be sunshine and rainbows everyday, in fact most days it will be cold and dark. Literally. It is important that you connect with communities outside of your country so you learn how the world works too. You are here for a better life and you have to build it by leaving most of your old habits and mindset behind.