Newcomer First Week Checklist in Canada

01 Who this is for

New permanent residents

People landing in Canada who need a practical first-week setup list.

International students

Students arriving for school who need a phone, bank account, ID, housing basics, and document organization.

Work permit holders

Workers arriving with a job offer or work authorization who need early setup steps before starting work.

Family members

Spouses, partners, and dependants who are setting up daily life after arrival.

02 Quick summary

Keep your arrival documents safe. Do not pack your passport, immigration documents, address details, or school/work letters in checked baggage only.
Set up a Canadian phone number early. Many banks, employers, landlords, and online accounts use text messages or calls.
Apply for a SIN if you are eligible and need to work. Use the official Service Canada process and protect your SIN carefully.
Open a bank account when ready. Bring original identity and immigration documents, and ask about fees before accepting an account.
Confirm health coverage rules for your province. Public health card timing and private insurance needs can vary.

03 Before you arrive

Prepare a simple folder before travel. The goal is to make airport arrival, temporary housing, phone setup, and first appointments less stressful.

Save digital and printed copies of your passport, visa, permit approval letter, confirmation of permanent residence if applicable, and travel details.
Write down the address of your first stay, including postal code, host or hotel contact, and check-in instructions.
Keep school admission letters, job letters, housing documents, and proof of funds easy to access.
Check whether you need temporary travel or health insurance before provincial coverage begins.
Bring a payment card that works internationally and some backup funds for airport transport, food, and first purchases.

04 First 24 hours

Check your immigration document at the airport or border before leaving. Make sure your name, dates, and conditions look correct.
Get to your temporary or permanent address and save the exact address somewhere you can copy later.
Buy food, basic toiletries, winter or weather items if needed, and any immediate medication or supplies.
Set up a phone plan or temporary eSIM if you need a Canadian number for appointments and accounts.
Tell a trusted person you arrived safely and share your local address if appropriate.

05 First week

Apply for a Social Insurance Number if you are eligible and need it for work, taxes, or some financial steps.
Open a bank account or activate your student GIC if you arrived with one.
Confirm your housing plan, rent payment method, move-in rules, and any proof of tenant insurance requested by the landlord.
Check local transit options, fare cards, student discounts, and the route to your school, workplace, grocery store, and clinic.
Book or confirm any school, employer, settlement agency, or newcomer orientation appointments.
Start a secure document folder for permits, bank papers, phone agreement, rental documents, tax slips, and official letters.

06 First month

Check provincial health card rules and apply when eligible, or confirm private insurance coverage if public coverage does not start yet.
Update your address with your school, employer, bank, phone provider, and any official account that needs current contact details.
Learn how taxes, pay stubs, rent receipts, tuition slips, and benefit letters are stored in Canada.
Consider getting local photo ID if your province offers an option and you do not plan to carry your passport daily.
Save emergency numbers, nearby clinics, pharmacy hours, public transit support, and your local settlement agency contact.

07 Documents to keep ready

Different offices may ask for different documents. Keep originals safe and bring them only when required.

Identity

Passport, travel document, birth certificate if relevant, and any official photo ID you already have.

Immigration status

Study permit, work permit, visitor record, confirmation of permanent residence, or other current status documents.

Address

Lease, residence letter, utility setup, hotel booking, host letter, or other proof of where you are staying.

School or work

Admission letter, enrollment confirmation, job offer, employer letter, or orientation instructions.

Money and insurance

Proof of funds, GIC documents, insurance policy, bank letters, and payment records.

Contact details

Your Canadian phone number, email address, emergency contact, and temporary or permanent mailing address.

08 Common mistakes

Carrying your passport everywhere
Your passport is important and difficult to replace. Use it only when needed and check whether local photo ID is available in your province.
Sharing your SIN too widely
Your SIN is sensitive. Give it only when there is a valid reason, such as employment, tax, or certain financial steps.
Assuming rules are the same in every province
Health coverage, photo ID, transit discounts, tenant rules, and service locations can vary by province and city.
Missing small account fees
Phone plans, bank accounts, transfers, cards, and rentals can include fees. Ask for the monthly cost and cancellation rules before signing.
Relying only on social media advice
Community tips can help, but official steps should be confirmed through government, school, employer, bank, or licensed professional sources.

09 Official sources

Replace placeholder entries with the most relevant official pages for the province, city, school, employer, or program connected to this checklist.

10 Disclaimer

This page is for educational and navigational purposes only.
It is not legal, immigration, financial, tax, health, housing, or settlement advice. It does not promise eligibility, approval, benefits, services, or outcomes. Requirements can change and may depend on your immigration status, province, city, school, employer, bank, landlord, or personal situation. Always confirm current requirements directly with official government sources, your institution, your employer, your bank, or an appropriate licensed professional before making decisions.