Landing in Canada for the First Time

[CharlizeRai]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of research on the kind of stuff I'll need to do once my hubby arrives in Alberta. Thus far I have gathered that I will need/want to get:

- SIN
- Health Card
- Bank account
- Driver's license
- Family Doctor set up

I am sure that I am missing a lot of things, so any insight would be appreciated!!

 

[Sweden]

that seems about right! for the paperwork...
One thing ( depending on his profession) that might be useful is any contact/information on job tips for new immigrants,so he can get help to look for a job.

Also - for the bank, they have normally a special deal for new immigrants where the bank plan is free for the first 12 months!
Hope he arrives soon,
Sweden

 

[CharlizeRai]

that seems about right! for the paperwork...
One thing ( depending on his profession) that might be useful is any contact/information on job tips for new immigrants,so he can get help to look for a job.

Also - for the bank, they have normally a special deal for new immigrants where the bank plan is free for the first 12 months!
Hope he arrives soon,
Sweden

Thanks Sweden!! Me too!!

 

[fandv]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of research on the kind of stuff I'll need to do once my hubby arrives in Alberta. Thus far I have gathered that I will need/want to get:

- SIN
- Health Card
- Bank account
- Driver's license
- Family Doctor set up

I am sure that I am missing a lot of things, so any insight would be appreciated!!

One more thing he should have: mental preparedness for Alberta's brutal brutal and long long winter ;D ;D

 

[antz21]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of research on the kind of stuff I'll need to do once my hubby arrives in Alberta. Thus far I have gathered that I will need/want to get:

- SIN
- Health Card
- Bank account
- Driver's license
- Family Doctor set up

I am sure that I am missing a lot of things, so any insight would be appreciated!!

Oooo please keep this updated as to how landing in Alberta goes. I am very interested in reading about what happens/what is needed! I hope to be landing/living in AB come the end of May!

One more thing he should have: mental preparedness for Alberta's brutal brutal and long long winter ;D ;D

LOL I have only been to AB once in winter time in December and I am pretty sure that my nose boogers froze!!!

Also - for the bank, they have normally a special deal for new immigrants where the bank plan is free for the first 12 months!
Hope he arrives soon,
Sweden

From what I have seen online and when I have visited it looks like Scotiabank has a good offer for new immigrants to Canada - has anyone had any experience with them?

 

[Sweden]

From what I have seen online and when I have visited it looks like Scotiabank has a good offer for new immigrants to Canada - has anyone had any experience with them?

Mine is BMO ( Bank of Montreal) and they have a "new immigrant deal" which is one year of one of their "better plans" for free as long as you can show the COPR. I suppose most banks have a similar deal as they tend to compete with each other.
Sweden

 

[antz21]

Mine is BMO ( Bank of Montreal) and they have a "new immigrant deal" which is one year of one of their "better plans" for free as long as you can show the COPR. I suppose most banks have a similar deal as they tend to compete with each other.
Sweden

Sweden, my hubby is with BMO! I haven't looked into them too much yet, but when we asked about trying to get a mortgage with both of us on it when I become a PR they had crazy high rates/conditions so that's why I have been looking elsewhere. (with just him it was fine, but we wanted to see if we could get approved for a little more with both of us... but we will see I suppose!)

 

[Ehra C.]

I don't drive (and don't want to) but my husband told me there is an Ontario photo ID that is just as good as a drivers license for identification purposes. I don't know if other provinces have anything like it.

 

[AnaMaria]

I don't drive (and don't want to) but my husband told me there is an Ontario photo ID that is just as good as a drivers license for identification purposes. I don't know if other provinces have anything like it.

BC does that, too. But it is only for those who does not drive at all basically.

One more thing he should have: mental preparedness for Alberta's brutal brutal and long long winter ;D ;D

Thanks for the good laugh

 

[amikety]

Mine is BMO ( Bank of Montreal) and they have a "new immigrant deal" which is one year of one of their "better plans" for free as long as you can show the COPR. I suppose most banks have a similar deal as they tend to compete with each other.
Sweden

I also use BMO, but I have a free account permanently. If you go to Sobey's, grab a brochure near the counter for BMO/Sobey's checking account. (Yeah, I'm American. It's checking.) If you have a Sobey's card, you can get a free account with BMO. No monthly fees, first order of checks free (I would wait until you find a permanent home so the address is right), lots of free stuff...... and about $20 worth of free groceries in Sobey's points.

Whether or not you want to shop at Sobey's, the bank account is a good deal.

http://www.bmosobeys.com/en/Chequing/Features-And-Benefits.aspx

 

[amikety]

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a bit of research on the kind of stuff I'll need to do once my hubby arrives in Alberta. Thus far I have gathered that I will need/want to get:

- SIN
- Health Card
- Bank account
- Driver's license
- Family Doctor set up

I am sure that I am missing a lot of things, so any insight would be appreciated!!

I used this website to find a doctor. On the left it says "Physican Search." Enter your city and it will show doctors accepting new patients. Very easy and it shows a map, so you can find a doctor near you.

http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/Homepage.aspx

 

[MadeInCanada]

Hey Amikety;

Thanks for the tips and links! Very helpful. I already deal with BMO but I was unsure what they offered for when my husband arrives. (Just haven't looked into it thoroughly yet). So thanks again!

I heard TD Bank is great also, with regards to issuing a credit card to new immigrants to assist with building credit rating.

 

[amikety]

Hey Amikety;

Thanks for the tips and links! Very helpful. I already deal with BMO but I was unsure what they offered for when my husband arrives. (Just haven't looked into it thoroughly yet). So thanks again!

I heard TD Bank is great also, with regards to issuing a credit card to new immigrants to assist with building credit rating.

I've seen articles in the news about TD being the number one 'brand' in Canada, beating Tim Hortons and other Canadian companies, so they must be doing something right

I think bank selection depends on location too. Currently, BMO is the closest bank within walking distance! Things just worked out well.

 

[MadeInCanada]

Convenience is key!! ;D

 

[kyc221]

BC does that, too. But it is only for those who does not drive at all basically.

I wonder about this, too. I plan on settling on AB as well, so I'm interested in knowing what kind of identification I should be carrying since I don't drive (have never been issued a driver's licence).

ETA: I already have a bank account in RBC (that has barely seen any movement), and I've never been charged a cent for it. Can't say much more about it, though, since hubby handled the deal and I just went with it

I also used to have health insurance and a doctor, but I'm assuming I'll have to do the process again since now I'll be a PR instead of the temporary resident.