Settle in Canada: guides for your first year
You have the visa. Now come the cards, the lease, the bank and the deadlines. Each guide below is written from official government pages and tells you what to bring, how long it takes and what to do while you wait.
Health care
- OntarioOHIP card: how to apply for Ontario health insurance as a newcomerWho qualifies for OHIP, the 3 documents ServiceOntario wants, how long the health card takes, and what to do before it arrives. No waiting period.
- British ColumbiaBC Services Card and MSP: how newcomers apply for B.C. health coverageHow to apply for MSP in B.C., the wait period before coverage starts, getting your BC Services Card at ICBC, and the $75 student health fee.
- AlbertaAlberta health care card: how newcomers register for AHCIPHow newcomers get an Alberta health care card: who qualifies for AHCIP, the 3-month rule, documents for the registry agent, when coverage starts.
- QuebecRAMQ Quebec health insurance: getting your health insurance card as a newcomerRAMQ Quebec health insurance for newcomers: who is eligible, the 3-month waiting period and exemptions, online registration, photo and documents.
Housing and tenant rights
- OntarioOntario tenant rights: what newcomers need to knowOntario tenant rights for newcomers: the standard lease, last month rent deposit, the 2026 rent increase guideline, repairs, notices and the LTB.
- QuebecQuebec tenant rights and the TAL: what newcomers need to knowQuebec tenant rights explained: the mandatory TAL lease, no security deposits, one month to refuse a rent increase, repairs, July 1 and how to file.
Documents and ID
Driving
- OntarioOntario driver's licence for newcomers: exchange your licence or start at G1Moved to Ontario? You have 60 days to switch to an Ontario driver's licence. Exchange countries, G1 to G, experience credit, what to bring to DriveTest.
- British ColumbiaBC driver's licence for newcomers: exchange your licence or take the ICBC testsMoved to BC? You have 90 days to get a BC driver's licence from ICBC. Exchange countries, the 2-year rule, L and N, documents, translation and fees.
- AlbertaAlberta driver's licence for newcomers: exchange your licence or take the testsHow newcomers get an Alberta driver's licence: the 90-day exchange deadline, countries with exchange agreements, Class 7 and Class 5-GDL, and documents.
- QuebecQuebec driver's licence for newcomers: exchanging your licence with the SAAQNew to Quebec? The 6-month limit on your foreign licence, countries with SAAQ agreements, tests, documents, translations and 2026 fees.
Money and banking
- All provincesBank account for newcomers to Canada, and how to build credit from zeroOpen a bank account as a newcomer to Canada: ID banks must accept, your rights if refused, newcomer credit cards, secured cards and free credit reports.
- All provincesGST/HST credit for newcomers: now the Canada Groceries and Essentials BenefitThe GST/HST credit is now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. How newcomers apply with Form RC151, 2026-2027 amounts, payment dates and mistakes.
- All provincesCanada child benefit for newcomers: who qualifies, how to apply and how much you getCanada child benefit (CCB) for newcomers: status rules, the 18-month rule for temporary residents, Form RC66 and RC66SCH, 2026-2027 amounts and dates.
- All provincesCost of living in Canada: what the official numbers sayCost of living in Canada from official data: CMHC rents for Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, StatCan inflation and IRCC proof of funds amounts.
Learning French
Keeping your status
- All provincesWork permit extension in Canada and maintained status: a newcomer guideExtend your work permit in Canada: when to apply, fees, maintained status rules for working while you wait, travel, PGWP limits and restoring status.
- All provincesPR card renewal in Canada: when to apply, residency rules and what to sendPR card renewal: apply when your card expires in under 9 months, meet the 730-day residency obligation, pay the $50 fee and avoid travel mistakes.
- All provincesPR travel document (PRTD): how to return to Canada without a valid PR cardPR travel document (PRTD): who needs one, how to apply from outside Canada, the $50 fee, the residency assessment, refusals and the 60-day appeal.
Citizenship
Ontario
- OHIP card: how to apply for Ontario health insurance as a newcomer
- Ontario tenant rights: what newcomers need to know
- Ontario driver's licence for newcomers: exchange your licence or start at G1
Guides for all of Canada: SIN number in Canada: how newcomers get a Social Insurance Number, Bank account for newcomers to Canada, and how to build credit from zero, Work permit extension in Canada and maintained status: a newcomer guide, Canadian citizenship test: how it works and how to pass
British Columbia
- BC Services Card and MSP: how newcomers apply for B.C. health coverage
- BC driver's licence for newcomers: exchange your licence or take the ICBC tests
Guides for all of Canada: SIN number in Canada: how newcomers get a Social Insurance Number, Bank account for newcomers to Canada, and how to build credit from zero, Work permit extension in Canada and maintained status: a newcomer guide, Canadian citizenship test: how it works and how to pass
Alberta
- Alberta health care card: how newcomers register for AHCIP
- Alberta driver's licence for newcomers: exchange your licence or take the tests
Guides for all of Canada: SIN number in Canada: how newcomers get a Social Insurance Number, Bank account for newcomers to Canada, and how to build credit from zero, Work permit extension in Canada and maintained status: a newcomer guide, Canadian citizenship test: how it works and how to pass
Quebec
- RAMQ Quebec health insurance: getting your health insurance card as a newcomer
- Quebec tenant rights and the TAL: what newcomers need to know
- Quebec driver's licence for newcomers: exchanging your licence with the SAAQ
- Francisation Québec: how to get free French classes in Quebec
Guides for all of Canada: SIN number in Canada: how newcomers get a Social Insurance Number, Bank account for newcomers to Canada, and how to build credit from zero, Work permit extension in Canada and maintained status: a newcomer guide, Canadian citizenship test: how it works and how to pass
Coming next
We are writing these guides now:
- Your first 30 days in Canada
- Cost of living by city
- Mobile phone plans for newcomers
- Scams that target newcomers
- Getting ready for winter
- Driving and your licence
- Taxes and benefits
- Francisation (French classes in Quebec)