Welcome to Canada! The first few months can feel like a whirlwind with so many new things to learn and set up. This thread is for everyone to share their experiences and advice on those crucial initial steps after arriving. What were your must-do tasks in the first 90 days? Let’s discuss: Getting your SIN: This is super important for working and accessing government benefits. You can find more info at Service Canada . Opening a bank account: Which banks did you choose and why? Any tips for newcomers? Healthcare registration: How did you navigate registering for your provincial health card? Each province has its own system, so sharing your province-specific tips would be great! (e.g., “In Ontario, I went to ServiceOntario…”) Getting a phone plan: What are some affordable options for new arrivals? Public transportation: How did you figure out transit in your city? Any apps or passes you recommend? Sharing your personal checklist and lessons learned can make a huge difference for others just starting their journey. Let’s help each other feel more at home!

First 90 Days: Essential Checklists & Tips for Settling In

nikotan

Welcome to Canada! The first few months can feel like a whirlwind with so many new things to learn and set up. This thread is for everyone to share their experiences and advice on those crucial initial steps after arriving. What were your must-do tasks in the first 90 days?

Let’s discuss:

Getting your SIN: This is super important for working and accessing government benefits. You can find more info at Service Canada.
Opening a bank account: Which banks did you choose and why? Any tips for newcomers?
Healthcare registration: How did you navigate registering for your provincial health card? Each province has its own system, so sharing your province-specific tips would be great! (e.g., “In Ontario, I went to ServiceOntario…”)
Getting a phone plan: What are some affordable options for new arrivals?
Public transportation: How did you figure out transit in your city? Any apps or passes you recommend?

Sharing your personal checklist and lessons learned can make a huge difference for others just starting their journey. Let’s help each other feel more at home!

mira_lee

Great thread! For SIN, it was straightforward for me, just make sure you have all your documents ready before you go to Service Canada. The biggest help was opening a bank account right away. I went with RBC because they had a good newcomer package with no monthly fees for the first year and helped me get a credit card after a few months. Definitely ask about newcomer offers whatever bank you choose, they can save you a lot of money in those initial months.

rafiq92

This is so helpful! 🇨🇦 For healthcare in Alberta, I registered online with AHCIP and got my card in the mail within a few weeks. Super smooth! As for phone plans, I found Freedom Mobile had great introductory offers specifically for newcomers, and their coverage worked well for me in the city. You might want to check out their deals when you first arrive. Don’t forget to compare data plans, they vary a lot! 📱

zaramiko21

Public transportation was a bit of a learning curve for me in Toronto, but Turo helped a lot! I used the PRESTO card for subway and buses, and Google Maps was indispensable for planning routes. The PRESTO app also lets you load money and check your balance easily. My general advice is to tackle the SIN and bank account first, as they unlock so many other services. For more detailed provincial health info, you can usually find it on your province’s official government site, like for Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card.