Living in Canada

Your settlement plan
Based on your answers, this information can help

make your transition to life in Canada easier.
Instructions
Your personalized settlement plan can help you get
the best possible start on your new life in Canada.
For convenience, the plan is broken down into

checklists for before you leave, crossing the border,
and your first few weeks, as well as other
personalized information by topic, such as Money,
Connecting, and Culture. If you prefer you can also
view the entire plan on a single page.
Print or email your plan so that you have a copy. If

you leave this settlement plan inactive for more than
20 minutes, you will not be able to come back to your
answers. You will need to start again.
Your profile
Below are your answers to the Living in Canada
questionnaire. You should make sure they are correct.
If any answer is wrong, use the back button to make
changes. When you make changes to your profile,
your settlement plan will be updated.
You have identified yourself as:

from
not yet in Canada
Before you leave

Learn about life in Canada and about the rights
and responsibilities of residents in Canada.
Gather all of your important documents. Think
about having them translated into English or
French before you arrive. You will need these
documents to enter Canada, to get identification
papers, or to work and go to school.
You may not be able to get taxpayer-funded
health insurance coverage right away. Buy private
health insurance for that time.
Find out about life in Francophone communities
outside Quebec.
Access pre-arrival service organizations, which
offer online and in-person services to help you
prepare for life in Canada.
Crossing the border

Prepare to cross the border into Canada by making
sure that you understand all of the steps that are
involved. You should have all of the important
documents that you and your family will need.
You will have two border crossing interviews. You

will need to talk about your official documents and
what you are bringing to Canada with you.
Make sure you know what you can and cannot
bring into Canada.
If you are bringing CAN$10,000 or more (or the
equivalent in foreign currency), you must report it
to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Culture, laws, rights

As a new immigrant to Canada you should know
about Canada’s history, the land, climate, people,
government, and laws and justice. You should
understand both the rights and responsibilities of the
people who live here.
Find out about life in Canada before you leave.
Resources
Get to know Canada, its weather, culture, and
laws
Understand how to adjust and adapt to a new
culture and country
Welcome to Canada: What you should know
Read the guidebook to becoming a Canadian
citizen
Identification
Social Insurance Number: This is a nine-digit number
that is needed to work in Canada or receive
government benefits.
Provincial/territorial health insurance card: This card

gives you access to Canada’s taxpayer-funded
healthcare system.
You should apply for these documents as soon as

possible after you arrive in Canada.
Resources
Know what identification you should carry when
you are traveling outside of Canada
Find out how to apply for a Social Insurance
Number so that you can work and get access to
government services
Learn more about health care in Canada and how
to apply for a health insurance card from your
province or territory
Health
Canada’s health insurance system is tax-payer
funded. It is designed so that all residents of Canada
have access to health care. To access health care
under this system you must have a health card issued
by the government of the province or territory where
you live.
Use these links to find more information on health

care services in Canada.
Resources
Learn more about health care in Canada and find
out how to apply for a health insurance card from
your province or territory
Understand why finding a doctor and a dentist is
important to your health.
Family
Your family may have different needs depending on
your stage of life and if you have children. Education
and tax benefits are just two things you may need to
know about.
Resources
Learn about getting married in Canada
Learn about having a baby in Canada
Learn about raising a family in Canada
Understand the laws that may apply to your family
Money
The cost of living varies greatly in Canada, depending
on the province or territory where you live. Cost also
varies between big cities and rural areas. It is usually
less expensive to live in a smaller city or town.
Open a bank account as soon as possible after you

arrive in Canada.
Resources
Understand how much it costs to live here
Learn more about money and banking
Learn how to manage the debt you might have
Connecting
Connecting with others in your new community is an
important step in the settlement process. Making new
friends and contacts will help you feel at home in
Canada. It will help you advance your professional
goals by creating a network of people that can
support you in your search for work. There are many
different ways in which you can connect with others in
your new city or town.
Immigrant-serving organizations, local libraries or

community centres may offer activities or workshops
to help you meet new people. Contact them to find out
if they offer conversation or cooking clubs, workshops
or even movie nights.
Many communities offer recreational programs for

families. Find out more by visiting the website of your
city or town.
Resources
Find out how volunteering in Canada can help
you find a job or expand your social network
Date Modified: 2013-02-01
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Your settlement plan

Based on your answers, this information can help

For convenience, the plan is broken down into

Print or email your plan so that you have a copy. If

You have identified yourself as:

Before you leave

Crossing the border

You will have two border crossing interviews. You

Culture, laws, rights

Find out about life in Canada before you leave.

Provincial/territorial health insurance card: This card

You should apply for these documents as soon as

Use these links to find more information on health

Open a bank account as soon as possible after you

Immigrant-serving organizations, local libraries or

Many communities offer recreational programs for

Date Modified: 2013-02-01

Departments and agencies

Public service and military

Treaties, laws and regulations

How government works

Terms and conditions

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