Your first 30 days in Canada.
A week-by-week plan for your first month. Get your SIN first, then a bank account, and the rest falls into place faster.
Week one
- SIN from Service Canada
- Bank account opened
- Phone and transit card
What to do, and when.
Most of week one happens in person, so bring your passport and landing documents everywhere.
Days 1–7Week 1
Week 1
- Declare at the borderReport cash and funds of CAD 10,000 or more, and keep your landing documents safe.
- Apply for your SINFree, at a Service Canada office or online. You need it to work and get paid. How →
- Open a bank accountBring your passport and landing documents. Ask about newcomer packages. Banking →
- Get a phone numberA prepaid plan avoids a credit check while you build history.
- Get a transit cardPRESTO in Toronto and Ottawa, Compass in Vancouver, OPUS in Montreal.
Days 8–14Week 2
Week 2
- Apply for your health cardApply once you have an address. Some provinces have a waiting period. Healthcare →
- Cover any waiting periodBuy private health insurance until provincial coverage starts.
- Visit a settlement agencyGovernment-funded agencies help with jobs, housing and forms, at no cost.
- Give IRCC your addressPermanent residents: send your photo and Canadian address within 180 days of landing so your first PR card is free.
Days 15–30Weeks 3–4
Weeks 3–4
- Sign a leasePay a deposit only after you've seen the unit and verified the landlord. Housing →
- Set up utilities and tenant insuranceMany landlords require tenant insurance before you move in.
- Start your credit historyA secured credit card, used lightly and paid in full, is the simplest start.
- Families: school and benefitsRegister children for school and apply for the Canada Child Benefit (form RC66). Schools →
- Apply for the GST/HST creditNew residents apply with form RC151.
If you only do six things this month.
Each step unlocks the next one, so the order matters.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
GuideEverything involving work and pay depends on it.
Bank account
BankingYou'll need it for rent, your salary and bills.
Canadian phone number
ChecklistLandlords, employers and banks need a way to reach you.
Provincial health card
HealthcareThe sooner you apply, the sooner coverage starts.
A permanent address
HousingYour PR card, health card and bank mail all need somewhere to go.
Credit history
GuideIt takes months to build, so start early.
Health coverage doesn't start everywhere on day one.
Each province runs its own health plan. Some cover new permanent residents right away; others have a waiting period, and you'll want private insurance to fill the gap.
| Province | Plan | Waiting period |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | OHIP | None for most new permanent residents |
| British Columbia | MSP | Rest of your arrival month plus two months |
| Alberta | AHCIP | None if you register within 3 months of arriving from outside Canada |
| Quebec | RAMQ | Up to three months |
Summary as of September 2026 for new permanent residents. Rules differ for work and study permit holders and can change. Always confirm with your province's official health plan site.
Five common first-month mistakes.
Paying a rental deposit sight unseen
Rental scams target newcomers. See the unit in person or on a live video call, and check the landlord actually owns or manages it.
Going uninsured during a waiting period
One emergency visit without coverage can cost thousands. Private insurance for a few months is usually far cheaper.
Forgetting your PR card address
Your first PR card is free only if IRCC has your photo and Canadian address within 180 days of landing. After that, you pay for it.
Applying for several credit cards at once
Each application is recorded on your new credit file. Start with one card and let it build history.
Sending money home without comparing
The exchange-rate markup is often bigger than the fee. Compare the amount your family actually receives. How to compare
Related guides
Get week two in your inbox.
One short email a week, matched to where you are in your first month.
