Your first-week survival guide
You step out of the airport.
The cold slaps you.
Your WhatsApp is on fire.
Your brain is asking: “Okay, I’m here… now what?”
Breathe. You do not have to figure out your entire Canadian life in one week.
Let’s just handle the basics: money, health, documents, phone, and people.
1. Before You Leave the Airport
If you’re still inside the building clutching your suitcase like it’s your last born:
- Jump on Wi-Fi. Most airports have free Wi-Fi; connect and send that “I’ve landed!” voice note.
- Screenshot your address. Hotel, Airbnb, cousin’s house—save it offline in case data misbehaves.
- Check the weather. Canada’s weather has mood swings. Look at today and tomorrow so you’re not shocked on your first commute.
Then head to wherever you’re staying. Day 1 is for arrival, not for solving Canada.
2. Day 1–3: Handle Your “Canadian Identity”
a) Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9-digit number you need to work in Canada, pay taxes, and access many government programs.(Canada)
You can apply:
- Online
- In person at a Service Canada Centre
- By mail(Canada)
You’ll generally need:
- Passport
- Work or study permit, or Confirmation of Permanent Residence
- Local address (hotel/Airbnb can sometimes work; check the form details)
Action Nugget → Search “Apply for SIN Canada” and use the official Government of Canada link—no fee, no middlemen.(Canada)
b) Start your health coverage
Canada has public health insurance, but it’s run by each province and territory.
- In some provinces, you may wait up to 3 months before your public health insurance starts.(Canada)
- In places like Ontario, current guidance says there is no waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if you’re eligible—you can apply immediately.(Peel Region Immigration)
You usually need:
- Immigration documents (work permit, study permit, or Permanent Resident card)
- Proof of address
- Identification (passport, etc.)
Action Nugget → Google “health card” + your province (for example, “Apply for OHIP Ontario health card”) and follow the official provincial site.
While you wait for public coverage (or if you’re not yet eligible), consider temporary private insurance so one emergency room visit doesn’t humble your entire budget.(Canada)
3. Day 2–4: Secure Your Money & Phone
a) Open a Canadian bank account
You’ll want a local account immediately for salary, rent, and day-to-day spending.
What to look for:
- Newcomer packages (fee waivers, credit card offers, maybe small perks)
- Ability to open an account with limited credit history
- Online banking and mobile app (most major banks have good ones)
You’ll typically need:
- Passport
- Immigration document (permit/Confirmation of Permanent Residence)
- Address (even temporary in some cases)
If one bank makes life hard, try another. Canada has options.
b) Get a Canadian phone number
Your WhatsApp and banking alerts need a local number.
Options:
- Big providers (Rogers, Bell, Telus and their sub-brands) – more coverage, usually higher cost.
- Budget carriers – sometimes cheaper, may have limited coverage outside big cities.
Look for:
- Plans with unlimited Canada-wide calling
- Enough data for maps, job searches, and video calls home
- No shocking hidden fees (ask about “activation fee” and “overage charges”)
Action Nugget → Until you’re settled, avoid long contracts. Start with a month-to-month plan while you figure out your actual usage.
4. Housing: Don’t Let Rent Stress Collect Your Destiny
If you don’t already have long-term housing, your first goal is safe, temporary accommodation:
- Short-term rentals (for example, Airbnb, booking sites)
- Friends or family (even for 2–3 weeks)
- Newcomer or student housing options, if available
When you’re ready to search longer term:
Where people look:
- Rental sites (for example, Realtor.ca, proper rental portals)
- Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji (use with serious caution)
- Local newcomer groups and WhatsApp communities
Red flags:
- Landlord refuses to show you the place on video or in person
- They rush you to send an Interac e-Transfer (bank transfer) before any viewing or lease
- Rent is far below normal for the area with no explanation
Most landlords will ask for:
- Proof of income or employment letter
- References
- Sometimes a credit check
You might not have all that yet. It’s okay. Focus on honest conversations, show your documents, and be patient with yourself. Everyone’s first Canadian accommodation story has one or two “what was that?” moments.
5. Find Your Free Newcomer Help Squad
You are not meant to figure out Canada alone.
The federal government funds free settlement services across the country to help newcomers adjust—job search, housing, language classes, community connections, even help understanding documents.(IRCC)
To find them:
- Use the official “Find free newcomer services near you” tool (search that exact phrase).(IRCC)
- Search “[your city] newcomer settlement services” or check trusted hubs like Settlement.org for Ontario.(Settlement.org)
These organizations can:
- Help you write a Canadian-style résumé and cover letter
- Connect you to language classes (English or French)
- Offer workshops on tenant rights, banking, and taxes
- Give you that human “welcome” you need when the loneliness starts to creep in
Action Nugget → Book at least one settlement appointment in your first month. Treat it like a strategy meeting for your new life.
6. Transit, Groceries & Everyday Life
Transit
Every city has its own system (buses, trains, maybe trams). Look up:
- Local transit card (for example, PRESTO card in parts of Ontario)
- Discount passes for students or low-income riders
- Monthly passes vs. pay-per-trip
Your first week is for exploring routes to:
- Home ↔ Groceries
- Home ↔ Job centre / school / settlement office
- Home ↔ Place of worship / community space
Groceries
First shop, keep it simple:
- Basic carbs (rice, pasta, bread)
- Proteins (beans, eggs, chicken)
- Veg and fruit from cheaper chains or multicultural stores
Once you have energy (and small courage), go on a “diaspora food tour” to locate your ethnic store: plantain, yam, Maggi, spices, all the things that taste like home.
7. Your Heart, Your Head, Your Weather App
New country = new emotions.
You might feel:
- Excited one minute
- Homesick the next
- Confused by small things (why is everyone queuing so calmly?)
- Overwhelmed by silence if you moved from a noisy city
This is normal. It’s called culture shock, and it hits even the strongest among us.
Tiny rituals that help:
- Set a weekly video call with loved ones back home
- Take 15-minute walks outside, even in winter (layer up)
- Find a local community—faith group, sports team, mommy group, book club, anything
If sadness or anxiety feels heavy or constant, speak with a healthcare provider or community mental-health service. Many newcomer organizations can refer you to low-cost or free support.(Canada)
8. First-Week Checklist ✅
You do not have to check everything in 24 hours. Aim to complete these in your first 2–3 weeks:
- □ Save your address and emergency contacts on your phone (and on paper).
- □ Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- □ Start your health card application.
- □ Open a Canadian bank account.
- □ Get a Canadian phone number with a flexible plan.
- □ Set up temporary housing and start learning about the rental market.
- □ Book an appointment with a newcomer settlement organization.
- □ Learn the basics of local transit routes.
- □ Do something small that makes you happy here—coffee shop, park visit, local event.
Final Word
You may feel like Canada is one big form, one big winter, and one big mystery right now.
But every long-timer you see—laughing on the bus, pushing a stroller, rushing to work—once had their own “I just landed, now what?” moment.
You’re not behind.
You’re exactly at the beginning.
Welcome home, in advance. Canada doesn’t know it yet, but it’s lucky to have you.