Canada, known for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse cities, and friendly people, is a country that welcomes newcomers with open arms. If you are a recent newcomers in Canada, you might be overwhelmed with complicated government and provincial systems. In this guide, we will help you to navigate the first 3 things you need to do first as a newcomers in Canada.

A. Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a crucial identifier for work, tax, banking, borrowing and government benefits. Generally, you are eligible if you are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a temporary resident with a valid work or study permit.

To apply for a (SIN), you need to bring required document to a Service Canada Centre, and if everything is in order, you usually receive your SIN on the spot.

Important: To avoid/mitigate identity theft, do not share your SIN with anyone, except with institutions and agencies (e.g. bank, federal government, provincial government) that you know can ask for your SIN. Do watch out for scam calls that pretend to be a government agency and ask for your SIN.

B. Health Insurance

In Canada, there are basic health coverage (e.g. doctor appointment, ambulance service, diagnostic service, prescription drug) that are covered by provincial governments, and additional health insurance (e.g. dental, vision) that are not.

• In order to access basic health coverage, you need to apply for health insurance of the province that you reside. You are usually required to live in a province for a minimum amount of time before you are eligible for basic health coverage. Each province has different regulation and requirement on basic health coverage, and you should make sure you understand your eligibility and coverage. To apply for provincial basic health coverage, you need to bring required document to specified provincial office. For example: In Ontario, you apply for OHIP at an Ontario Service location; In BC, you apply for MSP at an ICBC location.
• Additional health insurance is not compulsory and is usually provided by employers. If not, you will need to buy additional health insurance if you need additional services not covered by the provincial’s basic health coverage.

Important: Healthcare in Canada is expensive if you don’t have proper coverage. When you first arrive in Canada, you will not be eligible for provincial’s basic health coverage immediately and you should buy temporary health insurance in the meantime. Manulife is a popular health insurance provider for tourists and newcomers in Canada.

C. Bank Account and Credit History

You should open a bank account as soon as you arrive in order to manage your cash and finance. In Canada, credit history is very important to apply for bank credit cards, loans, etc, and such requirement can be tricky for newcomers who, obviously, don’t have credit history in Canada.

Luckily, many banks have “newcomer” banking packages that help you get your very first credit cards and start building your credit history. Check out the following relevant posts on banking account in Canada:

• Banking Packages for Newcomers in Canada – Rewards Sense Canada
• No-Fee Chequing Accounts – Rewards Sense Canada
• No-Fee Credit Cards – Rewards Sense Canada