IRCC: Pre-arrival services
Government-funded settlement services available before arrival. Help with credential recognition, job preparation, and orientation. Free for permanent residents.
IRCC: Pre-arrival services →Stage · New to Canada: your first five years of money
Pre-arrival: what to do before landing
Three or four decisions made before you board the plane save weeks of friction after arrival. The goal is to land with working payment access, a phone number that works, and a plan for the first 30 days.
What to do this week
- Pre-apply for a Canadian bank account. Every major Canadian bank (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotia, CIBC, National Bank, Tangerine) offers newcomer onboarding that can start before you arrive. Typical setup: account exists, funds transfer, card mailed to Canadian address after landing.
- Gather documents you will need: foreign passport, work/study/PR documents, foreign credit report or reference letter from your home bank, proof of funds or settlement funds.
- Research which province you are landing in. Provincial differences matter for healthcare, minimum wage, rental rules, driver's licence exchange, and tax rates.
- Check whether your province has a provincial health coverage waiting period. BC, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick impose waits up to 3 months, buy private interim coverage before arrival.
What to avoid
- Arriving with only foreign bank cards. International ATM fees, exchange rate losses, and declined transactions are a constant early-day friction.
- Cancelling all home-country accounts before arrival. You may need them for 6–12 months to handle pending transactions or transfer funds.
- Exchanging large sums at airport exchange booths. Rates are 2–4% worse than bank transfers or online wire services.
- Renting long-term without physically seeing Canadian housing. Scam listings targeting newcomers are common; 30-day temporary rental first is the norm.
Calculators for this stage
Forms to file at this stage
Service Canada: SIN application (new residents)
You cannot apply for a SIN before landing, but review the document checklist so you can apply same-week after arrival.
Service Canada: SIN →Frequently asked
Can I open a Canadian bank account from overseas?
Most major banks offer newcomer programs that let you start the account opening process before you arrive. Account activation and card issuance typically require in-person verification at a Canadian branch after landing.
How much cash should I land with?
Plan for 1–3 months of living expenses immediately accessible. That typically means $3,000–$8,000 per adult, depending on destination city. Transfer most funds via wire or online service (Wise, Remitly) for better rates than currency exchange.
Do I need to declare money I bring to Canada?
Amounts CAD $10,000 or more (cash or negotiable instruments) must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency on arrival. Not declaring means seizure. No tax is owed on money simply because you brought it to Canada.
Will my foreign credit score transfer?
Generally no. Canadian credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion) do not receive foreign credit data directly. Some newcomer mortgage programs and secured credit cards accept foreign credit reports or reference letters as supporting evidence.
Next stage
First 30 days: essentials →