Newcomer Checklist by Province: First 90 Days in Canada

Key takeaways

Health card waiting periods differ: none in Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick and PEI; about 3 months in B.C., Saskatchewan and Quebec
Driver’s licence windows differ too: 60 days in Ontario, 90 in B.C. and Alberta, 3 months in Manitoba, 6 months in Quebec, 180 days in Nova Scotia
Permanent residents can apply for the Canada Child Benefit soon after arriving; temporary residents wait 18 months
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Why your province changes the checklist

Some newcomer tasks are the same everywhere: your Social Insurance Number, a bank account and a phone number. But health care and driving are run by provinces, and the rules are very different.

The two that cost newcomers the most money are:

Health card waiting periods. In some provinces, you are not covered for up to 3 months. A hospital visit in that gap can cost thousands of dollars, so you need private insurance.
Driver’s licence windows. After you become a resident, you can drive on your foreign licence only for a short time. After that you are driving without a valid licence, and your insurance may not cover you.

Health coverage start by province (from outside Canada)

Province	When coverage starts
Ontario (OHIP)	No waiting period. Apply in person as soon as you arrive
British Columbia (MSP)	Rest of your arrival month plus 2 more months
Alberta (AHCIP)	From the day you become a resident, if you apply within 3 months
Quebec (RAMQ)	After a waiting period of up to 3 months after you register (some exemptions)
Manitoba	PRs from the day they arrive; work permit holders from the permit issue date
Saskatchewan	First day of the third month after you arrive
Nova Scotia (MSI)	Usually the day you become a resident (workers: or permit issue date, if later)
New Brunswick (Medicare)	May start from your first day, if you meet the rules
Prince Edward Island	First-day coverage possible for PRs who send proof of status
Newfoundland and Labrador, territories	Check with the health plan when you apply

More detail in health card by province.

Driver’s licence exchange windows

How long a new resident can drive on a valid licence from another country, as of October 2026:

Ontario: 60 days
British Columbia: 90 days
Alberta: 90 days
Manitoba: 3 months
Quebec: 6 consecutive months
Nova Scotia: up to 180 days
Other provinces and territories: check the official licensing office

Whether you can exchange your licence without tests depends on the country that issued it. See licence exchange by country and the licence path finder.

How the checklist counts dates

The tool starts from your arrival date and assumes you become a resident of the province that day and apply for your health card in your first week.

B.C. and Saskatchewan: coverage starts on the first day of the month that is 3 months after your arrival month. Arriving November 2 gives February 1.
Quebec: we show the latest likely date, 3 months after you register.
Licence: we add the window to your arrival date.
Canada Child Benefit for temporary residents: we add 18 months.

Worked example: a permanent resident family arrives in Vancouver on November 2, 2026, with children, and will drive. MSP coverage starts about February 1, 2027, so they buy private insurance for three months. They must exchange their licence by about January 31, 2027. They can mail forms RC66 and RC151 for the Canada Child Benefit and the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit right away.

Budget for your first 90 days

Every checklist includes a budget step. Deposits, furniture, winter clothes and a few months of rent before your first paycheque add up fast. Use the first 90 days budget to see your total for your city.

Want a shorter plan? The first 7 days planner breaks the first week into one task a day.

Common questions

Which provinces have a health card waiting period?

For people arriving from outside Canada, British Columbia and Saskatchewan have a wait of about three months, and Quebec has a waiting period of up to three months after you register. Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick and PEI can cover you from arrival if you meet the rules. Alberta covers you from arrival if you apply within three months.

Can I save or email my checklist?

Use the print button (you can print to PDF) or copy it as text and paste it into an email or notes app. We do not store your answers.

How long can I drive on my foreign licence in Ontario?

60 days after you become a resident. After that you need an Ontario licence.

Does this checklist work for international students?

Yes. Choose “International student”. The list swaps settlement agency steps for your school’s international office and adds work-hour rules.

Is this checklist legal advice?

No. It is a planning tool based on official rules as of October 2026. The notice you get from your province or IRCC is what counts.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Newcomer checklist by province: your first 90 days

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