GETTING STARTED GUIDE

2020 EDITION

YOUR MOVE ,
MADE SIMPLE.

Moving2Canada
Getting Started Guide - 2020 Edition
• How to make the move
• How to find employment
• Planning your move
• Get help with key decisions
• Destination guides
• Making the most of what Canada has to offer
• Includes links to crucial info & resources
Welcome to the only guide with
all the help you need when
moving to Canada and settling in.

Thanks for taking the time to download our tips

for success, updated for 2020. We want to help you
kick-start your move to Canada.

Towards the end of 2019, Canada outlined a

plan to welcome more than one million new
permanent residents before the end of 2022. In
addition, hundreds of thousands of work permit
holders and international students will continue to
arrive each year. You can be one of them.

And if you’re already in Canada, or getting here

soon, you can aim to settle long-term. Canada is
open to new ideas and new people, all the time.

Most of us on the Moving2Canada team have

made the move to Canada ourselves, just like you.
We know it is a big undertaking. At times it can be
stressful, with practical and emotional hurdles to
overcome. This is why we have compiled valuable
information to contribute to your success, in one
place.

By familiarizing yourself with this guide and

the Moving2Canada website, you can follow
the advice we have gathered from thousands
of successful newcomers to Canada. Simple
things like adapting your resume and showing
a willingness to do things the Canadian way will
help you. Successful newcomers learn about how
things are done in their new home. Making good
decisions will help you achieve success too.

Our goal is to empower you through relevant,

timely information before you move to Canada, We want your move
and support your needs and goals once you to be a great success;
are here.
so let’s get started.
- The Moving2Canada Team

-2-
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
CONTENTS

Explore the Guide

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2020? 4 LIVING 23
5. Where in Canada should you live? 24
IMMIGRATION 6 • What factors should influence 24
1. Why Immigrate to Canada? 7 the location you choose?
• Why do you want to move to Canada? 7
• Will you move with dependents? 7 6. What should you do once you
• How long do you plan to spend in 7 arrive in Canada? 27
Canada? • Social Insurance Number (SIN) 27
• Finding accommodation 27
2. How can you immigrate to Canada? 8 • Banking 27
• Come to Canada tool 8 • International money transfers 27
• Research the relevant programs 8 • Cell phone 28
• Moving2Canada GO 10 • Service providers 28
• Study in Canada 11 • Healthcare 28
• Permanent Residency 11 • Tax return 28
• Consult an expert 12
DESTINATION GUIDES 29
EMPLOYMENT 14 For more information on each
3. How do you find employment in 15 city, explore our guides:

Canada? • Toronto 29
• Canadianize your resume 16 • Vancouver 29
• Research the jobs market 17 • Montreal 29
• Build and maintain your online 17 • Calgary 29
presence • Edmonton 29
• Build your network 18 • Ottawa 29
• Send targeted applications 19 • Hamilton 29
• Improve the process 20 • Whistler 29

PLANNING 21 ABOUT MOVING2CANADA 30

4. What do you need to prepare? 22 • Learn who we are and why we 30
• Insurance 22 created Moving2Canada
• Flights 22
• Wrapping up life at home 22
• Shipping 22

-3-
2019 to 2020: What’s new?
At Moving2Canada, we’re excited for
2020 and beyond. We get to tell you
more about the greatest country to
move to (that’s Canada, in case you
were wondering), and we’ve expanded
our team so that we can bring you even
more content, tools and resources over
time — all with the goal of helping you
settle in Canada and achieve success.
Here’s a quick look at a few things that
have happened over the past year.
Because of these changes, we decided
to bring you the latest version of our
popular Getting Started Guide, now
updated for 2020.
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
WHAT ’S NEW?

WHAT ’S NEW FOR WHAT ’S NEW FOR

Canada? Moving2Canada?

TOP NATION FOR IMMIGRATION MOVING2CANADA GO

AND INVESTMENT

EXPRESS ENTRY ROADMAP

#1 IN THE WORLD FOR QUALITY
OF LIFE

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
ROADMAP
NEW IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

NEW COMMUNITY FORUM

ELECTION RETURNS PRO-
IMMIGRATION GOVERNMENT

PUSH NOTIFICATIONS FOR BIG

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS
RECORD IMMIGRATION
LEVELS

LIVE STREAMS
MORE JOBS IN MORE PLACES

HELPFUL VIDEO CONTENT

UNEMPLOYMENT STAYS BELOW
6%

MORE RECRUITER PARTNERSHIPS

TO HELP YOU GET WORK
BETTER REGULATION OF
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS

BLOGS FROM OUR COMMUNITY

EXPANDED STUDENT DIRECT

STREAM
MOVING2.MEDIA

-5-
Immigration
Start your successful move to Canada here
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
W H Y C A N A D A?

Why immigrate to Canada?

Each person and each family is unique.
Think about your motives and goals
clearly, as this will help you make the
correct decisions as you embark on this
exciting journey.
Will you move with dependents?
The cost of living is likely to be a much
more important factor if you intend to
bring family members to Canada.

How long do you plan to spend

Here are some questions to ask yourself
as you consider moving to Canada.
Sometimes the answer can include more
than one of the reasons outlined below.
Why do you want to move
to Canada?
in Canada?
Even if you arrive on temporary status,
such as a work permit or study permit,
we encourage you to keep an open mind
and plan for the long term. If or when you
obtain permanent resident status, you will
have greater flexibility.

• Lifestyle change
• Economic necessity
• Career opportunities
• Increase income
• Study
• Travel
• Ultimately obtain Canadian
citizenship

-7-

How can you immigrate to Canada?
Canada has set an ambitious goal
to welcome more than one million
new permanent residents between
2020 and 2022.
In addition, a steady inflow of foreign
workers and international students will
arrive in Canada from around the world.
Some people may be able to obtain
permanent resident status without
first moving to Canada as a worker or
student. Other people may prefer to
come on temporary status initially before
transitioning to permanent residence. The
right pathway for you depends on your
personal circumstances, your background,
and your goals.
This section will cover temporary work
permit and study options before showcasing
Canada’s permanent immigration programs.
-8-
Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVE & WORK
1. Come to Canada tool
2. Research the relevant programs
3. Consult an expert (if required)
Step 1: Come to Canada tool
We encourage you to complete the
government of Canada’s ‘Come to
Canada’ tool. This will give you an idea
of which program(s) you may be eligible
for. Bear in mind that you may have
other options beyond those suggested
by the tool, so additional research is
recommended. For a full overview, read on
and then visit our immigration section.
Step 2: Research the relevant
programs
Work permit options
Canadian work permits are issued either
with the support of, or an exemption
from, a document called a Labour
Market Impact Assessment, or LMIA.
This document requires a potential
employer in Canada to undergo a rigorous
recruitment process before they may
hire you, the foreign worker. As such, it is
always preferable to explore your other
(i.e. non-LMIA-based) options first.
International Experience Canada (IEC)
The IEC program covers more than
30 countries and offers applicants the
opportunity to work in Canada for 1-2
years (depending on your country of

Continued: How can you immigrate to Canada?
of citizenship). It is open to applicants
under a specific age limit, typically 30 or
35, again depending on your citizenship.
As of 2019, all IEC applicants are required
to submit biometrics before being
granted a work permit.
The most popular IEC category is the
Working Holiday open work permit.
Other IEC categories include the Young
Professionals and International Co-op
categories. Arriving in Canada on an IEC
work permit may open the door for you
to extend your stay via other programs
outlined in this guide. If you are not
from a listed country, you may be able
to participate through a Recognized
Organization.
Learn more about the IEC program or
check out our video explainer.
Find the age limit for
your country and other
IEC criteria
-9-
Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVE & WORK
Keep up to date with our
IEC News Hub, updated
weekly
Intra-Company Transfer
If you work for a company that has a
parent company, branch, subsidiary, or
affiliate in Canada, you may be able to
secure a work permit through the Intra-
Company Transfer program.
Free Trade Agreements
Canada has free trade agreements with
a number of countries, notably with the
United States and Mexico under NAFTA/
USMCA, and with the EU under CETA.
Professionals and business people from
the United States, Mexico, or any EU
country may have a LMIA-exempt work
permit option through a free trade
agreement.
Thinking of
moving to Canada
from the USA?
We’ve added a whole section
on our site, including answers
to the most common questions,
immigration tips, and first-hand
accounts from people who are
glad to have made the move north.
Check it out here!
 INTRODUCING

YOUR MOVE ,
MADE SIMPLE.

Moving2Canada GO is your personalized guide to

International Experience Canada. Answer a few quick questions
and Moving2Canada GO provides you with an interactive list of
tasks related to your move.

Moving2Canada.com/go/
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVE & WORK

Continued: How can you immigrate to Canada?

Studying in Canada
More than 500,000 international students
are enrolled in courses across Canada,
a figure that continues to grow. Canada
attracts students from around the world,
many of whom are attracted not only by
the quality of education and high living
standards, but also by the fact that many
Canadian immigration programs aim to
help students and graduates transition
to permanent residence. International
students in Canada are allowed to work
Permanent Residence (PR)
while studying and may apply for a post-
graduation work permit upon graduation. Obtaining PR can be a life-changing step,
as it gives you the right to live and work
The study pathway to settlement in anywhere in Canada and puts you on the
Canada can be summed up in three path to Canadian citizenship.
words: Learn. Earn. Stay.
Here are a few ways to make it happen:

Study section
Moving2Canada.com includes
a dedicated study section,
containing all the info and
resources you’ll need to prepare
for, and enjoy, coming to Canada
as a student.
Learn more
Express Entry
Express Entry is the main driver of
economic immigration to Canada.
Applications submitted under the Federal
Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled
Trades Class, and Canadian Experience
Class are managed through Express Entry,
which provides for processing times of six
months or less. Some Provincial Nominee
Program (PNP) streams are aligned with
Express Entry.

Federal Skilled Worker Class

Find out the top 10
A points-based program, where points are
reasons to study in
awarded for age, education, experience,
Canada
language skills, employment prospects,

- 11 -
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVE & WORK

Continued: How can you immigrate to Canada?

and adaptability. You must accumulate Immigration to Quebec

at least 67 points out of 100 in order to If you want to make Montreal or any other
be eligible. location in the province of Quebec your
permanent home, be aware that Quebec
Federal Skilled Trade Class has a distinct immigration system.

For tradespersons with relevant experi- This includes a points-based skilled

ence in one of the listed occupations. worker program, as well as a program to

help workers, graduates, and students

Canadian Experience Class in Quebec transition to permanent

residence.
A popular program that allows individuals
who have worked in Canada for at least
Business Immigration
one year to immigrate permanently.
If you are an investor, entrepreneur,
or self-employed, you may be able to
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
immigrate under one of the business
A Canadian province can nominate
immigration programs managed either
you based on your credentials and/or
by the federal government or one of the
connections to the province. Some
provinces.
PNP streams are aligned with Express
Entry, while other PNP streams operate
Family Class
outside the Express Entry system.
Also known as family sponsorship, the
Family Class category offers Canadian
citizens and permanent residents the
Want to know which PNP
opportunity to sponsor their foreign
streams are open, and which
spouse or common-law partner, parents
you might be eligible for?
and grandparents, or dependent
We’ve added to our popular children. Family Class immigrants are
PNP Live Tracker to bring you a not considered economic immigrants,
great new tool. Just input your and therefore they do not have to sit a
occupation and other preferences, language test.
and the PNP Live Tracker Tool will
work its magic to tell you which
Step 3: Consult an expert
PNP stream(s) may be right for
you. Certain programs may prove simpler
to navigate than others. Consequently,
Use the new and improved many applicants choose to complete the
PNP Live Tracker
process without retaining the services of a
regulated immigration consultant.

- 12 -
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVE & WORK

Continued: How can you immigrate to Canada?

However, the nuances and complex

processes of some programs, notably
Biometrics now required
the permanent residence programs, may
require expert guidance, depending on As of 2019, applicants from around

your circumstances and goals. the world are required to submit

biometrics when immigrating to

Moving2Canada works with experienced, Canada.

regulated Canadian immigration

Learn more
consultants who provide consultations.
The consultants we work with will get to
know you and your family, if applicable,
and provide the kind of expert one-
on-one advice that many newcomers
to Canada have found highly valuable.
Moreover, if you choose to retain the
services of a consultant, the cost of the
initial consultation will be deducted from
the balance of fees.

Learn more about our recommended

immigration consultants.

Don’t get caught without

insurance!

Depending on your immigration program,

there’s a good chance you’ll need to
purchase health insurance for some or
all of your time in Canada. Start off with a
free no-obligation quote from Cigna, an
insurance company we feel good about
recommending.

Learn more

- 13 -
Employment
Build your career in Canada

How do you find
employment in Canada?
Let’s start by telling you how not to go
about finding employment in Canada!
Whether you are in Canada or not, the
temptation may be to go to an online
jobs board and send away as many
applications as you can. By adopting the
tactic of ‘the more generic applications I
send, the better my chances of success,’
you are competing with the rest of the
herd and haven’t taken any action to
differentiate yourself. The task is more
complicated if you are not located in
Canada, as you are competing with
candidates all over the world who share
the same dream as you.
Here are some reasons why this strategy
is likely to fail:
• More companies are using Applicant
Tracking System (ATS) software to scan
resumes for keywords, so the chances of
- 15 -
Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
EMPLOYMENT
of your resume being read by a human
are decreasing dramatically.
• Many companies receive large volumes
of online applications. If someone does
read your resume, you typically have less
than 30 seconds to impress a reader.
• As an immigrant or foreign worker, you
are competing with local candidates who
have much-coveted local experience and
do not require immigration support in
Canada in the future.
To achieve success in your job
hunt, you need a process.
The following 6-step process will greatly
improve your chances of success. These
simple steps have allowed thousands of
newcomers to further their careers in
Canada.
Step 1: Canadianize your resume
Step 2: Research the jobs market
Step 3: Build your online presence
Step 4: Build your contacts
Step 5: Send targeted applications
Step 6: Improve the process
Step 1: Canadianize your resume
Your resume is an important document
for achieving success in Canada – perhaps
the most important document of all.
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
EMPLOYMENT

Continued: How do you find employment in Canada?

The simple step of adjusting your resume

to Canadian standards is where many
people succeed or fail.

Canadian employers are accustomed to

certain practices and formats, and it’s
crucial to take this into account. If you
cannot present your skills and experience
in a way they expect, they are far less likely
to feel you have the ability to adapt to life
in Canada. Your Canadian-style resume is
your ticket to success, as this document
represents you in your job hunt. Get
comfortable with adjusting your resume
continuously. You will find a resume
template included in the downloads
section of your Moving2Canada account.

See our extensive Write a Canadian

Resume section for more on this topic.

- 16 -
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
EMPLOYMENT

Continued: How do you find employment in Canada?

Step 2: Research the jobs market

What do you know about your industry
in Canada? Does your occupation require
accreditation or licensing in order for
you to be able to work in Canada? What Our recruitment agency,
Outpost Recruitment, matches
is the value of your existing experience
Canada’s leading construction
within the Canadian jobs market?
and engineering firms with
Which provinces and cities offer the best the best local and international
employment prospects in your field? talent.
If you are planning a long-term stay in
Explore the Outpost website
Canada, to what extent is your occupation
if you’re interested in building
under threat from automation?
your engineering or construction
If you have not yet asked yourself these career in Canada.
questions, let alone answered some of
them, now is the time to begin your
research. Step 3: Build and maintain your
online presence
Moving2Canada offers a broad range of
Your online presence should be clear,
employment-focused articles, including
concise, professional, and updated. Make
advice on networking and the value of
sure you include LinkedIn as part of your
informational interviews. You will be
job search strategy.
amazed at how friendly and open people
will be to meeting with you if you take the
Clear
chance and ask. We also recommend that
Your LinkedIn profile should immediately
you keep an eye on our Moving2Canada
communicate your title and industry.
Jobs Board, where you can find the latest
Employers and recruiters love using
open positions in locations across Canada,
LinkedIn to source talent, so it should be
as well as other job search tools such as
simple for people searching for your skill
Indeed.ca, Monster.ca and
set to find you.
Workopolis.com.

Concise
Learn more about immigrant It’s crucial for you to be able to sell your
employment across Canada. skills and experience, and therefore you
should add as much relevant detail as
Latest Moving2Canada
Jobs Report possible. But don’t bore the reader with
minute details and repetition.

- 17 -
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
EMPLOYMENT

Continued: How do you find employment in Canada?

Professional
Join industry groups and associations
within your profession. This will help you
to stay up to date on the jobs market and
latest trends in Canada. Moreover, make
sure your profile includes a professional
portrait image. It should also be simple
for people to contact you, so make sure
your email address is easily found in your
bio section (note: the email address you
created when you were 16 years old may
not be appropriate. John.Doe@ is far more
professional than ‘Johnnypartyanimal88@’.

Updated Step 4: Build your network

If it’s 2020 and the most recent experience
listed in your profile is from 2018, you
have a problem. Not only are you not
showcasing your latest experience, you
are also communicating to employers and
recruiters that you may lack attention to
detail and are unorganized. Make sure your
profile lists all of your experience in reverse
chronological order.
In addition...
Perform an audit of all your social media
channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram, as applicable. Hiring managers
and recruiters often look up candidates
(i.e. you) to see what sort of person they
are considering recruiting. Remove
inappropriate media (photos, videos,
comments, tweets, etc.) that you wouldn’t
want a potential employer or recruiter
to see.
Did you know that most open positions are
never advertised before being filled? It’s
true. In addition to looking through public
jobs boards (such as those mentioned
in Step 2), you should position yourself
to network your way to success. The
goal of networking is to build your own
team of people who can help improve
your understanding of the jobs market
and ultimately help you find gainful
employment. LinkedIn is a fantastic online
networking tool. If you are in Canada,
you can also attend industry events and
networking events to build your contact
list. Take a proactive approach by having all
the necessary tools at your disposal as and
when needed, including:
Business cards
You don’t need to be employed to have a
card. Having something simple with your

- 18 -

Continued: How do you find employment in Canada?
name, title, location, and contact details
allows you to leave a lasting impression
and a means for someone to contact you
later.
Elevator pitch
Be prepared to answer questions such as
‘What brings you here?’ and ‘What are
you looking to achieve in Canada?’, as well
as the question we have all been asked
at some stage, ‘What do you do?’ This is
your cue to communicate your value and
goals (and remember to be clear, concise,
and professional). The phrase comes
from the idea that you should be able to
communicate your message to a stranger
over the time span of a typical elevator
ride.
Your own records
It’s important to be organized. A simple
spreadsheet including names, contact
details, titles, locations, and additional
notes will help you decide who to follow
up with and when. If you have
- 19 -
Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
EMPLOYMENT
an appointment, make sure you add
it to your calendar (preferably a digital
calendar, synced to your phone) and set a
reminder notification in advance.
Step 5: Send targeted applications
If you follow steps 3 and 4, you’ll greatly
increase your chances of finding the right
contact at the company of interest to you.
This may lead to you being referred by
an employee of the company. Employers
typically like hiring through referrals, as it
means that an existing employee vouches
for your skills, experience, and personality.
Once you have identified which position
and which company you are interested
in, you should now be thinking about
delivering a quality cover letter to
complement your resume (see Step 1).
The job requirements for a position set
out the skills and experience you should
have in order to be considered. Your
cover letter should highlight how you
can meet these requirements, why you
want to work for the company, and how
the company may benefit from your
employment. Successful job hunters
usually adjust their resume for each
job application in accordance with the
requirements. A tweak here or there can
make all the difference in attracting the
attention of key decision makers. Five
targeted applications are more effective
than 10, or even 20, generic applications.
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
EMPLOYMENT

Continued: How do you find employment in Canada?

You should have received a cover letter

template in your download files when you
joined the Moving2Canada network. Use
this document to guide you as you master
the art of job hunting. We also have a
comprehensive guide on how to write a
targeted cover letter.

Step 6: Improve the process

Finding a job is a continuous learning
experience. Markets change, people
change, advances in technology are
made, but networking, being organized,
and engaging in targeted research will
remain valuable no matter what. Prepare
to improve the process as you gain advice
and feedback along the way.

The best things in life never come easy,

but job hunting is a life skill.

- 20 -
Planning
Arrive in Canada prepared
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
PL ANNING & PREPARATION

What do you need to prepare?

institution you intend to attend. Find out
more about insurance for newcomers
to Canada.

Flights
You’ll want to get a flight itinerary that
provides value and convenience. See
our guide on flights to Canada to search
websites, international airlines, and other
things you’ll need to know in advance of
your trip.

Wrapping up life at home

Once you have sorted out your plan as If you’re looking for a list of things to

far as immigration and employment is tick off and items to pack, our Essential

concerned, it’s time to focus on the details Checklist is a great place to start.

of wrapping up life abroad and arriving in

Canada prepared. Shipping
If you are looking to transport more than
Insurance checked baggage to Canada, you will

Depending on your circumstances, there need to consider international shipping

may be a post-arrival waiting period options.

before you and your family, if applicable,

become eligible for publicly-funded
healthcare. In this case, we strongly
recommend that you consider purchasing
an insurance policy to cover this period.

Some newcomers to Canada, notably

those who arrive under the IEC program,
are required to purchase insurance before
arriving in Canada. For international
students, how you are covered for
healthcare depends principally on your
destination province, but also on the

- 22 -
Living
Settle in and enjoy your new life in Canada
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVING

Where in Canada should you live?

Canada is a huge country, the second
largest in the world. It offers a diverse
range of cultures, opportunities,
landscapes, climates, and more.

What factors should influence

the location you choose?

Your profession or trade

Certain industries are confined to
specific areas of Canada, while other
industries may have opportunities across
the entire country. Our exclusive Jobs Alberta in particular. However, the real
Report provides the latest information on estate market and residential investment
employment across Canada, as well as in are expected to continue to gain ground
certain industries. We also offer a series slowly.
of industry-specific career pages to help
kick-start your career in Canada. Unemployment rates have reached
historic lows in many Canadian provinces.
Economic conditions Moreover, improvements are expected in
Canada’s economic outlook for 2020 is the Prairies after a rather difficult couple
good, particularly in the provinces of of years.
Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec,
which happen to be the three most
popular destination provinces for Visit Outpost Recruitment
newcomers. Growth in the real estate
to learn more about
construction and
market, residential investment and
engineering opportunities
household consumption should translate
in Canada
into a growth rate of about 1.7% in 2020,
up from 1.5% in 2019. The major challenges
remain global uncertainty, trade tensions, Lifestyle
and difficulties in the oil sector, which
Canada’s three largest cities — Toronto,
affects the province of
Montreal, and Vancouver — are often
favoured by newcomers who want to
experience diverse, multicultural

- 24 -

Continued: Where in Canada should you live?
surroundings. Vancouver has the outdoor
lifestyle, Toronto has the big city feel,
and Montreal offers a more European,
francophone experience.
More newcomers, however, are choosing
to settle in other locations, and diverse
societies are not unique to Canada’s
largest cities. Canadians across the country
are welcoming, friendly, and accepting,
regardless of location. Moving2Canada
currently offers comprehensive city guides
for some of the most popular cities:
Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary,
Edmonton, Ottawa, and Hamilton, as well
as an expert guide to Whistler, for all you
snow junkies who want to enjoy a season
on the slopes!
Cost of living
The cost of living in cities across Canada
can vary widely. Vancouver and Toronto
are more expensive than other cities in
Canada. Higher salaries may mitigate
increased costs, but newcomers arriving
without secure employment or significant
- 25 -
Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVING
savings should be aware of this factor.
Family
Cities that offer the right mix of lower
costs of living, strong employment
prospects, and a range of higher
education options can offer a fantastic
gateway into Canadian life for families.
Cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa,
and Montreal tend to be popular with
immigrant families. Families moving
to the Greater Toronto Area or Greater
Vancouver Area may consider outlying
towns and suburbs, where property
is typically more affordable to rent or
buy, and there is usually more space for
children and adults alike to enjoy the
outdoors.
Relocating with a family can be
particularly challenging. The extensive
Moving2Canada Planning and Living
sections present a range of useful pages
to help you overcome these challenges
before and after your move.
Climate
Canada wouldn’t be the same without
its wide range of climates! No matter
where you live, you are likely to experience
the four seasons in all their glory. All
of the major cities except Vancouver
generally contend with snow for at
least three months of the year. You are
then rewarded with long, hot summers.
Vancouver offers a milder climate, where
temperatures rarely drop below 0°C.

Continued: Where in Canada should you live?
The reality is that people adapt quickly, so
we suggest that you do not let climate and
weather strongly affect your decision.
Rural or urban living
While most newcomers are bound
for Canada’s incredible cities, Canada
is a vast country with outstanding
rural communities. Living in a large
city is not for everyone. Canada’s rural
communities love to see newcomers and
offer fantastic opportunities, and there’s
even a new immigration program to
match rural communities with potential
new immigrants. Another option for
newcomers is to settle in a smaller city,
such as Saskatoon, Prince George, or Red
Deer. Cities such as these tend to offer
less of a cultural shock to those who are
not used to living in large cities.
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Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
LIVING
Tips and facts for arriving prepared
• Make sure that all your electronic
devices have dual voltage. You may
need to bring an adapter from your
home country, and getting a plug
board on arrival is a smart choice.
• Make sure your phone is unlocked
before you arrive.
• The temperature in Canada is
measured in Celsius.
• 18 percent of Canadians are English-
French bilingual.
• Canada Day is July 1st.
• Canada stretches across six time
zones. Knowing which time zone
you’re in is handy for calling family and
friends back home.
• Domestic flights are likely to be more
expensive than what you are used to,
so if you plan of visiting friends across
Canada, start saving!
• Two dollar coins are called Toonies and
one dollar coins are Loonies.
Want to learn more? See our article on
10 ways to get ahead in Canada.
 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
ARRIVAL

What should you do

once you arrive in Canada?
Settling into your new surroundings in a
new place can be daunting, with practical
and emotional hurdles to overcome. You
can simplify the process by knowing in
advance what you need to do on arrival
and where to turn to for help.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Getting a SIN is among the first things you
need to do once you land, as you cannot
work in Canada without it. To get your
SIN, you need to have a mailing address
in Canada. This may be a temporary or
permanent address. Your SIN is also key to
filing a tax return, which you will have to do
once you have worked in Canada.
Learn how to apply for your SIN.

Finding accommodation options for banking, and many banks

Some people make this a priority before have special programs designed with

arriving, while others begin their search new arrivals to Canada in mind. There are

in earnest after arrival. Which approach several things you should keep in mind

is right for you depends on your goals, when you’re choosing a bank; we cover

your family’s needs, your personality, your these in our Banking in Canada page,

destination, and more. You may wish to which also outlines ways you can open

find temporary accommodation first, your account before you arrive in Canada. If

giving you a place to stay as you search for you pursue this option, it will take some of

apartments or houses for rent in Canada. the stress out of your move.

From your first night, to your first lease and

beyond, our finding accommodation in
Canada page has advice for you.
Banking
Newcomers to Canada have a number of
International money transfers
You’ll hopefully have some money to
transfer into your new bank account
from one at home or elsewhere. We
recommend that you use a regulated

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 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
ARRIVAL

Continued: What should you do once you arrive in Canada?

international money transfer company

to complete this process, as they can
offer favourable rates. With CurrencyFair,
Moving2Canada community members
(that’s you!) get their first five transfers
for free.

Learn more about safe and easy ways

to arrange your international money
transfer.

Cell phone
Contracts for cell (mobile) phones in
Canada may be quite different from
contracts abroad. If you plan on using
your phone a lot, as most people do, it
is recommended that you sign up to a
plan with data and unlimited texting and
calling, at least for local calls.
Our guide on how to pick a cell phone
plan in Canada has all the information
and expert advice you need.
Service providers
Healthcare
Healthcare in Canada is publicly funded
and administered by the provinces, rather
than by the federal government. The
systems in different provinces vary, and
whether your access to the system is free
at the point of service depends on your
location and your status in the country.
Find out your healthcare rights and/or
obligations on our Healthcare in Canada
page.

If your new accommodation doesn’t

already have internet service, you may
want to review your options for a plan
with one of the many internet service
providers. You should also become
familiar with the cost of household
utilities in your new home, as different
locations across Canada have varying
costs.
Tax return
Once you are settled and working in
Canada, you should know how the tax
system works in your province. Then over
the first few months of the year, it’s time
to think about your Canadian tax return
based on the work you did the previous
year. Find out more about Canadian
tax returns.

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 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
DESTINATION GUIDES

Destination Guides
Our in-depth city guides will help you • Get a sense of what it’s like to live in
before and after your move to Canada. each city

• Find out which city and which • Discover things to do and places to go
neighbourhood is the right one • Much, much more!
for you

Vancouver Toronto

Montreal Calgary

Edmonton Ottawa

Hamilton Whistler

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 Moving2Canada Getting Started Guide
MEET THE TEAM

Meet the Moving2Canada team!

Learn who we are and why we created Moving2Canada

Ruairi Spillane Hugo O’Doherty Patrick Bourke Marcel Niedecken

Managing Director Editor & Product Deputy Editor Marketing Manager
Manager

Maria Hasson Gideon Lin Tony Gilmore Shannon Wenkoff

Recruitment Consultant Business Development Partnerships Strategist Social Media &
Community Manager

Wayne McMahon Dhwani Mehta Dane Stewart

Web Developer Web Developer Content Developer

Connect with us!

WWW.MOVING2CANADA .COM
Copyright © All rights reserved

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Copyright © All rights reserved