Newcomer Support

Canada is an incredible place to call home as it is the second largest country in the world with a high quality and standard of living. Each year, Canada welcomes many immigrants and refugees who are in search of a better life, and they often need guidance and support to make a successful transition, and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Some of the services that may be beneficial to your new life in Canada and which you should explore in your province or territory of residency consists of: Settlement, Education & Employment, Learning English, International Credential Evaluation, and Community & Volunteering.

SETTLEMENT

Newcomers who immigrate to Canada play an important role in contributing to Canada as a whole. However, there are many obstacles or challenges that newcomers to Canada face when making their transition and settling in. In light of those facts, some of the common things to consider when settling in Canada include housing, employment, childcare and/or school for your children, and types of support available to you (based on your eligibility).

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7 Tips for you to consider:

  • Planning for your move to Canada as a newcomer begins long before you are physically here. While you are still in your home country, it is suggested that you do some prior research and find out about the challenges as well as opportunities for newcomers to be psychologically ready. 
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  • Keep all your important documents organized for when you are coming. Be sure to make multiple copies of your important documentation such as landed / immigration documents, passports and other travel documents, birth/death and marriage/divorce certificates from your home country, academic credentials, medical and vaccination records, and international driver’s license. 
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  • Look into getting your education, work experience, and credentials from outside of Canada recognized and evaluated to help you connect with your career path. 
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  • Many provinces and territories offer exclusive settlement services to newcomers including the pre-arrival services provided by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can learn about the province and the resources available including airport pick-up and finding someone in the community who would be generous and kind to host your family for a few weeks until you can find proper housing and accommodation. Most of the settlement services you find in your region will provide you with information and training for job skills, as well as referrals to local community resources. 
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  • Plan where you are going to stay during your first few weeks in Canada because short-term accommodations can quickly eat up your savings. If you have family, friends, or have been provided with hosts willing to help you when you arrive, make proper arrangements with them to avoid being stranded. It is also suggested that you research about the types of housing available in Canada and the websites that you can use to find a place for short-term / long-term rent or for buying a home. As a newcomer, you may initially be focused on affordability but try to find a place that is close to amenities such as schools, grocery stores, community centres, possibly your work, and especially accessible by public transit for you to easily get around. 
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  • Canada overall has unpredictable weather and depending on your province or territory you will reside in; you can expect many surprises at the courtesy of the weather or season. Although you cannot avoid the cost of spending at least some money on seasonal wear in Canada, especially the Winter gear, but if you have not experienced cold and harsh winters, you must quickly learn the Canadian principle to dress in layers to stay warm and be sure to bring warm clothes. 
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  • As a newcomer, it is imperative for you to keep your Canadian address up-to-date and get some important things taken care of. For example, you will need to inform the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about your new address and apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to be able to work in Canada and get access to government services; Health Card through the health ministry of your province or territory (if you are eligible), and Provincial Identification Card / Driver’s License (depending on eligibility). Since there is processing time for each of these, it is recommended that you begin this process as soon as possible. 
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Note: If you wish to settle in Canada in French, there are Francophone-focused settlement services are available. Perhaps, the best place to start with exploring free newcomer services near you would be to start with the Government of Canada website where you can find a wealth of information including some up-to-date publication on topics such as Before Your Arrival, After Your Arrival, Housing, Employment, Health Care Services, Money and Finances, Education, and more. Government of Canada has also developed a Welcome Guide to help you prepare for your move to Canada.

Alternatively, you can also check out our Helpful Links page to connect with community organizations and agencies in each province and territory in Canada who provide settlement and integration services or employment and career services.

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