Table of Contents:

Important Things to Know and Do Before You Move to Canada

Checklist 1: Documents to Bring to Canada | An Overview

Checklist 2: Medical and Immunization Records

Checklist 3: 5 Things to Know about Medical Insurance in Canada

Checklist 4: Personal & Household Items You Can Bring to Canada

Checklist 5: Shipping Personal Effects

Checklist 6: Transferring Finances & Valuables

Checklist 7: Searching for Housing

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 Essential checklists before
you immigrate

Important Things to Know and Do

Before You Move to Canada
One of the biggest mistakes would-be immigrants make is moving to Canada unprepared. For
example, leaving behind critical documents, or forgetting to purchase insurance to cover
themselves and their belongings while they travel. Or, they leave so much behind and then face
enormous costs when they arrive.

The good news is that you can use this pre-arrival planning guide with essential checklists and tips
to help you prepare for your move! You’ll discover the important things you need to know and do,
avoid the stress of forgetting vital items, and move to Canada with confidence!

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Checklist 1.
Documents to Bring to Canada
While you have many immigration documents, these are the essential ones you’ll need to
enter Canada, settle, and find a job.

1. Birth certificates and passports for each family member

2. Adoption papers (if applicable)

3. Marriage certificate (and/or divorce, separation papers)

4. Medical and dental records, optical and medical prescriptions, medical exam (You may be directed to do a
medical exam upon landing if you haven't’ completed one as part of the immigration process). .

5. Children’s immunization records: You will require immunization records when you enrol your children in
school.

6. Travel health insurance documents to cover you in case of medical emergency in your first few weeks in
Canada. You can apply for provincial health care coverage as soon as you arrive in Canada. However, some
provinces have up to a 90-day waiting period before you are eligible for provincial health care coverage.

7. School records for all your children. These records will help the school to place your children into the right
grade in Canada.

8. Copies of post-secondary diplomas, degrees and even academic transcripts for all adults. You may need
to get an education evaluation or credentials recognition by a professional evaluation service, academic institution,
or professional association. Check with the relevant agencies to find out how to provide the documents to them
before you arrive in Canada. This will save you time and money if you do this before you arrive.

9. Resume and samples of your professional work or achievements: You may want to write a Canadian-style
resume, and it’s helpful to have samples of your work when you apply for jobs in Canada.

10. Reference letters with contact details from former employers.

11. International Driver’s Licence. You can drive in Canada with an international driver’s licence for a short time
until you get a Canadian driver’s licence.

12. Copy of your international automobile insurance. If you have a good driving record in your country of
origin, you may be able to get a better auto insurance rate in Canada.

13. Certificates of valuation and authenticity (including photos) for jewellery and other valuables you’re
bringing with you. You’ll need a list of effects for any goods with you and a list for your goods to follow.

14. Copies of financial records, to show proof of funds with enough money to move to Canada to support
yourself for your first three months in Canada. If you arrive in Canada with the equivalent of CAN$10,000 or more,
you must tell the immigration officer.

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Things You Need
When You Land in Canada
When you arrive at the airport, you will report to an Immigration Officer for an interview. The
officer will confirm your Canadian mailing address so that Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can send your PR card to you. Your PR card proves that you’re a
permanent resident when you return to Canada from another country.

You will need these documents for your interview:

● Passport or travel document

● Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for yourself and any dependents travelling
with you.
● Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) Declaration Card.
● List of any goods you have with you and a list of goods to follow
● Proof of funds. While the immigration officer may not ask for proof of funds, it can be
helpful to show you have enough money to support yourself. Learn more: How Much
Money Will I Need to Move to Canada?

If you change your address, you can notify IRCC by using this online address notification service.
The time to process your PR card can vary. However, you can check the IRCC website for
current processing times.
Checklist 2.

Medical and Immunization Records

Remember to bring medical documents and records for you and your family when you leave
your country of origin. It’s important to have medical documents for continuity of care, as well,
you will need them to register your children in school.

1. Medical and dental records, reports, or test results for any previous or existing

conditions

2. Optical prescriptions

3. Other medical prescriptions (a single course of treatment or a 90-day supply)

4. Copy of your children’s immunization record

5. Copy of adult immunization record.

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Checklist 3.
7 Things to Know about Medical Insurance in Canada

5 Things to Know About

Medical Insurance in Canada

Canada’s universal health care system is one of the best in the world. While
many services are covered by the public health care system, not all health
care costs are covered. Discover what to know about medical insurance.

1. In Canada, basic health care services like hospital visits, surgery, and inpatient and outpatient
hospital services are covered by provincial government health care plans. You can apply for
your provincial health care card as soon as you arrive in Canada.

2. In some provinces, you may have to wait up to three months before you are eligible for a
government health card and coverage. In this case, you can purchase private health insurance
to cover you during the three-month waiting period. You never know what kind of emergency
care you may need. Without insurance, you’ll have to pay to access health care services.
Confirm that private insurance will cover you as a permanent resident, and not just a visitor to
Canada i.e. travel insurance.
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Checklist 3.
5 Things to Know About
Medical Insurance in Canada
3. Public health insurance typically does
not cover medical services such as eye Have questions about medical and
care, dental care, and prescription
travel insurance? Attend our FREE
medication, although this can vary by
province. Some services like chiropractic webinar: Do I need Travel Health
and physiotherapy may be partially
Insurance in Canada?
covered.

4. Canadians in every province can buy private insurance to cover services that are not covered by
public health insurance.

5. Many employers offer extended medical benefits to offset costs for things like dental care, eye care
and prescriptions. There are also some government-funded assistance programs for low-income
persons.

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Checklist 4.

Personal & Household Items

You Can Bring to Canada
As a landed immigrant, you can bring with you, free of duty and taxes, any personal and household
items that you owned and used before your arrival in Canada including any of the following:

1. Furniture 8. Family heirlooms

2. Housewares 9. Antiques, stamp or coin collections

3. Kitchen Appliances 10. Musical instruments TIP! It may be

cheaper to buy new
4. Linens 11. Paintings
items when you
5. Books 12. Valuable jewellery arrive rather than
shipping them. Be
6. Clothing 13. Power tools
sure to check
7. Jewellery 14. Pets shipping costs.

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Checklist 4.
Shipping Tips to Consider
Some Items May Be Subject to Duty and Taxes

While there is no strict limit on the quantity or total value of a single item, you may have to pay
duty and taxes for any new or unused items on the amount that exceeds CAN$10,000. Duty-free
applies to used personal belongings.

Proof of Ownership

To avoid delays at customs, it’s helpful to have receipts or documents for valuable items such as
jewellery or heirlooms.

Shipping Furnishings and Electronics

While furnishings are a good choice to ship, electronics may not be worth the effort, as they may
not work in Canada. The electrical current used by small appliances like lamps, radios, televisions
is 120 volts, 60 cycles in Canada. Ensure your appliances conform to this voltage, or leave them
behind.

Cars and Pets

If you are importing a vehicle to Canada, check that it all Transport Canada regulations.

Pets can be refused entry if the do not meet specific requirements. Check the Canada Food
Inspection Agency on guidelines on bringing animals to Canada. While pet cats and dogs do not
need to be quarantined, you do have to provide proof of their age and rabies status.

Restricted and Prohibited Goods

Some items to Canada like firearms, or certain food and plant products may be non-restricted,
restricted, or prohibited. Be sure to check this Canada Border Service Agency list of restricted and
prohibited goods to avoid penalties, fines, seizure or prosecution.

Essential Items

Make sure you have the types of clothing that are appropriate for the weather when you land in
Canada. Pack of a box of other essentials that you’ll need for your first few days in Canada.

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Checklist 5.
Shipping Personal Effects
Choosing what personal items to bring and
how to pack and ship them safely can seem
overwhelming. Where do you begin? Here are
vital tips to consider.

Bring items that have emotional and nostalgic value

to you i.e. family photos, heirlooms, etc.

Bring items that will be cheaper to ship than to buy

new i.e. furnishings.

Leave items that you can replace with newer versions

in Canada i.e. appliances, electronics and items that
will cost more to ship than to buy new.

Ensure movers provide you with a detailed packing list of your belongings if you use
professional movers. Movers will itemize and label your belongings making it easier to
unpack at the other end. If you pack yourself, follow the same method.

Check if your moving company will ship and unpack your belongings.

Insure your belongings against loss or damage while in transit.

Make sure you have the shipping company’s contact details and they have yours.

Ask friends and relatives if they can recommend a reliable mover.

Consider bringing a box on the plane with you that contains necessities you will require
when you land, especially if it will difficult to buy the items when you arrive.

You will have to go to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office to collect your
personal effects when they arrive in Canada. This is a simple procedure and if your papers
are in order, there will be no delay.

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Inset button to
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Checklist 6.

Transferring Finances & Valuables

One of the first things to consider before you move to Canada is how to transfer your cash
and other investments. Here are six options to consider:

1. Talk to your banker in your country of origin for advice. They can Have
explain fees, currency exchange rates, and transfer options. questions
2. Convert cash into Canadian funds for immediate needs after about your
landing. You must declare any amount greater than CAD$10,000
when you enter Canada. financial first

3. Bring your international credit cards for immediate out-of-pocket steps? Join our
expenses, but be aware of potential foreign transaction fees. FREE webinar
4. Use a wire transfer to send money to a Canadian bank account. Arrive in
However, you can only do this if you open a bank account in Canada
before you move. This allows for smoother transfers (like wire transfers)
Canada
upon arrival.
Financially
5. Open a bank account when you arrive in Canada. You will have to
Prepared
show your Confirmation of Permanent Residence to open an account.

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www.prepareforcanada.com
Checklist 7.

Searching for Housing in Canada

As you get closer to your landing date, it’s
time to consider your housing options in the
Attend our FREE webinar
city that you have chosen to settle. Ideally, Accommodation in
you should arrange a short-term rental
accommodation (a rental of less than 28 days)
Canada | Options &
four to six weeks before your arrival date. Solutions for Newcomers
When you arrive in Canada, you can begin and discover proactive
your search for permanent (or longer-term)
accommodation in Canada. It’s best to wait
steps to take before and
until you arrive in Canada to search for after you arrive in
permanent housing. Meeting potential
Canada.
landlords in person allows you to avoid costly
rental scams and it allows the landlord to
assess you as a great tenant.

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Checklist 7.
Searching for Housing
Tips to Find Your First Home in Canada!
Get the best possible rental price by thoroughly
researching rates in advance of your arrival. Check out
rental rates in cities across Canada at Rentals for Discover options to
Newcomers. Find Your
First Home in Canada!
Take a look at the Newcomer Guide to Renting in
Canada for helpful information about what to expect
when searching for a rental property.

Identify your “must-have” housing requirements i.e. location close to work or school, shopping,
public transit, suburban or urban location, number of bedrooms, maximum rent price, etc.

Consider sharing a house or apartment to reduce high living costs upon your arrival in Canada.

Take advantage of resources to help you successfully compete for housing, especially in cities such
as Toronto and Vancouver where the housing supply is tight. Start here with How Newcomers to
Canada Can Impress a Landlord.

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