Your first-week checklist in Canada

Congratulations on your decision to move to Canada. Your first week will be busy—in the best way possible. This checklist prioritizes the tasks that matter most: your Social Insurance Number (SIN), a bank account, a Canadian phone number, provincial health coverage, and finding somewhere to live. By tackling these five items in the right order, you'll be set up to work, manage money, stay connected, and access healthcare without the last-minute stress.

1. Apply for Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your Social Insurance Number is the single most important document you need in Canada. You cannot legally work without one, and you'll need it to pay taxes, receive government benefits, and open certain types of bank accounts. Think of it as similar to a PESEL number in Poland—a unique nine-digit identifier that Canadian authorities use.

When to Apply

Apply immediately upon arrival. You can do this before even settling into permanent housing. Service Canada, the federal agency that issues SINs, processes applications quickly and there is no fee.

How to Apply

You have three options: online (fastest), in person at a Service Canada office, or by mail. Online applications are recommended because processing typically takes just 5 business days. You'll need to upload digital copies of your identity documents and proof of legal status in Canada (such as your Confirmation of Permanent Residence or work/study permit). A secondary document confirming your identity, such as a passport, is also required.

If you apply in person at a Service Canada Centre, bring your original documents and you'll receive your SIN on the same day. If you apply by mail, allow 25 business days and send originals (which will be returned to you). Service Canada is not responsible for documents lost in the mail, so online or in-person is safer.

2. Open a Bank Account

A Canadian bank account is essential for receiving paycheques, paying rent, building credit history, and avoiding expensive foreign currency conversion fees. The good news: major Canadian banks actively compete for newcomer business and offer special programs with waived fees, no credit history requirements, and multilingual support.

Timing and Newcomer Programs

Open an account as soon as you can, ideally in your first week. Many banks allow you to start the process online or even before you arrive in Canada. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto Dominion Bank (TD), Bank of Montreal (BMO), and Scotiabank all offer dedicated newcomer banking programs with benefits like fee waivers for 12 months, no credit checks, and promotional cash offers. These programs typically apply to anyone who arrived within the past 3–5 years, though exact windows vary by bank.

What You'll Need

You'll need one piece of personal identification (passport, PR card, or work/study permit) and one piece of residency identification (lease agreement, utility bill, or a letter from your employer or settlement agency). If you don't have a permanent address yet, many banks accept letters from shelters, support organizations, or temporary housing providers. For interest-earning accounts, you'll also need your SIN, but a basic chequing account does not require one.

Where to Apply

Visit a branch in person, apply online (some banks allow full online applications), or call to book a virtual appointment. If you book in advance from overseas, some banks like CIBC and TD allow you to open a temporary account before arriving, then activate a full account in-branch when you land. In-person appointments typically take 30 minutes.

3. Get a Canadian Phone Plan and Number

A Canadian phone number is essential for opening bank accounts, applying for jobs, communicating with landlords, and navigating daily life. Most employers, landlords, schools, and service providers expect to reach you via a local number.

Plan Before You Arrive

The best approach is to order a SIM card or eSIM (digital SIM) before you land in Canada. Multiple providers specialize in pre-arrival plans for newcomers and will activate your Canadian number 24–48 hours before your arrival. This means you'll be connected the moment you step off the plane, ready to use maps, ride-sharing apps, and contact services without expensive international roaming.

Physical SIM vs. eSIM

• Physical SIM: A small card you insert into your phone. Order online and have it shipped to your home country, or arrange airport pickup when you land. Reliable and widely compatible.
• eSIM: A digital SIM you download to your phone (requires eSIM-compatible device). Activate by scanning a QR code. Faster, no shipping needed, and you can set it up instantly before your flight.

Check that your phone is unlocked and supports Canadian network frequencies (most modern international smartphones do). If your device is more than a few years old, confirm compatibility before you arrive.

Prepaid vs. Postpaid Plans

For your first month or two, a prepaid plan is ideal. Prepaid plans require no credit check, no contract, and no long-term commitment—you pay upfront for a set amount of data, calls, and texts. This is especially useful if you don't yet have Canadian credit history. Budget providers like Lucky Mobile, Chatr, and Public Mobile offer competitive rates starting around $25–45 CAD per month for 20–40 GB of data. Major carriers (Rogers, Bell, Telus) offer wider coverage and more features but at higher costs.

After a few months, once you've established Canadian credit, you can upgrade to a postpaid (monthly billing) plan if you want higher data allowances or other premium features. However, there's no rush to switch.

4. Apply for Your Provincial Health Card

Canada has a publicly funded universal healthcare system, but it is administered by provinces and territories, not the federal government. You must apply for a provincial health card in the province where you live. This card gives you access to hospital visits, doctor consultations, and medically necessary surgeries at no charge.

Waiting Periods Vary by Province

Most provinces impose a waiting period before coverage begins. Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and New Brunswick still enforce a full three-month wait from the date you establish residency. Some other provinces have eliminated waiting periods entirely. The waiting period is counted from the day you arrive in the province, not from the day you apply. This means if you land on March 1 but don't apply until May 25, you'll be eligible shortly after applying (since three months have already passed). However, incomplete applications can reset the clock, so apply correctly the first time.

What's Covered and What Isn't

Provincial health insurance covers doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests, and immunizations. It does not cover prescription medications, dental care, vision care, or physiotherapy. You may want to purchase private health insurance (through your employer or privately) to cover these gaps, especially if your province has a waiting period and you need medical care before your card arrives.

How to Apply

Applications and procedures vary by province. Contact your provincial health ministry (for example, ServiceOntario for Ontario, or Health Insurance BC for British Columbia) to learn the exact requirements and application method for your province. Generally, you'll need to provide proof of residence (such as a lease agreement or utility bill), proof of identity (passport), and proof of legal status in Canada (PR card, work permit, or study permit). You can often apply online, by mail, or in person at a service centre.

5. Start Your Housing Search

Finding somewhere to live is the most time-consuming task on your checklist, but with planning, you can secure housing in your first week or arrange a temporary solution while you search for something permanent.

Temporary Housing (First Week or Two)

Do not try to secure a long-term apartment before you arrive. Instead, book temporary accommodation for your first 1–3 weeks. This gives you time to explore neighbourhoods, understand the local rental market, and find a place that actually suits you. Options include hostels ($35–60 per night in major cities), budget hotels ($80–150 per night), Airbnb rentals, or corporate housing companies like Oakwood or Extended Stay Canada. Book well in advance, especially during peak immigration seasons (spring and early fall).

Long-Term Rental Search

Most apartments become available on the 1st of the month. Landlords will ask for references (from previous landlords or employers), proof of income, and possibly a security deposit. If you don't have Canadian employment, a Canadian credit history, or references, explain your situation to landlords and ask a settlement agency or community organization for support letters. Some landlords are experienced with newcomers and understand these challenges.

Popular rental search platforms include Rentals.ca, PadMapper, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and dedicated newcomer platforms. Many cities also have landlord groups on social media that welcome newcomer inquiries.

Budget Considerations

Rent varies dramatically by city. Toronto and Vancouver have some of the highest rents in Canada, while cities in the Prairies (such as Calgary, Edmonton, or Saskatoon) and Atlantic Canada offer more affordable options. A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than 35% of your gross monthly income on rent. Shared accommodation (renting a room in a house or apartment with roommates) can reduce housing costs by 40–60% compared to renting alone, while also providing built-in social connections during your first months.

Avoid Common Scams

• Too-good-to-be-true listings: If a rental is far cheaper than similar units in the area, it's likely fraudulent.
• Wire transfer demands: Be wary of landlords who insist on wire transfers or money orders as the only payment method.
• Unavailable landlords: Scammers claim to be out of the country and ask for deposit or rent upfront without letting you view the property.
• Fake or incomplete listings: Look out for listings with no photos, pixelated images, or only exterior shots.
• Pressure to act quickly: Scammers create artificial urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly.
• Unknown landlords: Always verify the landlord's identity and ownership of the property before sending money.

Your First-Week Priority Order

1. Day 1: Apply for your SIN (online or in-person at Service Canada).
2. Day 1–2: Open a bank account (in-person at a branch or online).
3. Day 1–2: Activate your Canadian SIM card / phone plan.
4. Day 1–7: Apply for your provincial health card.
5. Day 1–7: Begin your housing search and secure temporary accommodation if needed. Aim to find a permanent place within 2–3 weeks.

This order matters because each step builds on the previous one. Your SIN is required for many banking and government services. Your bank account makes it easier to pay deposits and rent. Your phone number helps landlords reach you. Your health card protects you from unexpected medical costs. And housing gives you the stability to focus on work and settling in.

Your first week in Canada will be intense, but completing these five tasks puts you on solid footing. You'll be able to work, pay your bills, stay healthy, and find a place to call home. Once these basics are in place, you can focus on the other important parts of settling in—finding a job, learning your community, and making friends. Welcome to Canada.