Key takeaways
- Day 1 land and get a phone; day 2 SIN; day 3 bank; day 4 health card
- Get your SIN before the bank, and a bank address letter before the health card
- Your province decides the health card waiting period and how long you can drive on your foreign licence
- Government offices close on weekends, so the plan shows real dates you can adjust
The right order for your IDs
Many newcomers waste trips because one office asks for a document from another. This order avoids that:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN). Free from Service Canada, online or in person. You need only your passport and your proof of status (COPR, PR card or permit). Employers need it to pay you, and the CRA needs it for benefits.
- Bank account. Bring your passport and proof of status. Ask the bank for a letter or statement showing your Canadian address. It often counts as proof of address.
- Provincial health card. Most provinces ask for proof of status, identity and address. In Ontario you need three separate original documents, in person at ServiceOntario.
- Driver’s licence. The licensing office also wants proof of address. Do it within your province’s window (60 days in Ontario, 90 in B.C. and Alberta, for example).
Your phone number comes on day 1 because banks, employers and landlords will all ask for one.
How the planner builds your week
The planner gives one main task per day for 7 days from your arrival date, and adjusts for:
- Province: health card rules and waiting period, licence window, and Quebec’s own newcomer services.
- Status: permanent residents and protected persons are pointed to free IRCC-funded settlement services; workers and students to 211 and their school.
- Housing: if you are still looking, day 5 is about viewings and scams; if you have a lease, it is about utilities and tenant insurance.
- Job and children: adds employer setup, Job Bank and school registration.
The week ends with your money plan: a budget, bank fees and how you will send money home.
Worked example: Ontario, permanent resident
Amir lands in Toronto on Monday, November 2, 2026, as a permanent resident, with no job and a short-term rental.
- Mon Nov 2: lands, checks his COPR, buys a SIM and a PRESTO card.
- Tue Nov 3: applies for his SIN online.
- Wed Nov 4: opens a bank account and asks for an address letter.
- Thu Nov 5: applies for OHIP at ServiceOntario with three documents. There is no waiting period in Ontario.
- Fri Nov 6: views apartments.
- Sat Nov 7: books a settlement needs assessment online for next week.
- Sun Nov 8: sets up Job Bank alerts and a 90-day budget.
He has until about January 1, 2027 (60 days) to exchange his driver’s licence.
Tips for a smooth first week
- Keep one document folder. Passport, COPR or permit, SIN letter, lease, bank letter and photos. Most offices want originals.
- Book appointments online where you can. Many ServiceOntario, Service Canada and licensing offices offer appointments that save hours of waiting.
- Watch for holidays. Government offices close on statutory holidays such as Remembrance Day (November 11) in some provinces, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
- Do not rush long contracts. A month-to-month phone plan and a basic bank account are fine at first. Compare after you know your needs.
- Never pay a “fee” for a SIN or a health card. Both are free. Anyone who charges you is not the government.
After your first week
Continue with the checklist by province, which covers the first 90 days, and the first 90 days budget. Compare newcomer bank accounts and phone plans before you commit to anything long-term. For a broader view, read your first 30 days.
Common questions
What should I do first when I arrive in Canada?
Get a phone number, then your Social Insurance Number, then a bank account, then apply for your provincial health card. This order means each office has the documents it needs.
Can I apply for a SIN online?
Yes. Service Canada accepts SIN applications online, by mail or in person. It is free.
What can I use as proof of address if I just arrived?
A signed lease, a bank letter or statement with your Canadian address, or a utility bill. Ask your bank for an address letter when you open your account.
Do I need to do all of this in 7 days?
No, but doing the SIN, bank and health card early avoids delays with work, pay and coverage. Weekends and holidays will push some tasks later.