Moving to Canada: the first documents you will receive

A Social Insurance Number, or SIN, is a nine-digit number issued by Service Canada. You need it to work in Canada, report income for tax purposes and access certain government programs and benefits.

For Canadian citizens and permanent residents, the SIN does not expire. SINs issued to temporary residents begin with 9 and generally expire on the same date as the immigration document that authorises the person to work or study.

Keep your SIN confidential. You normally provide it when legally required, such as to an employer or for tax and government-benefit purposes, but you should not use it as general identification.

Temporary residents may receive documents such as a work permit, study permit or visitor record from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, usually called IRCC.

These documents show important conditions such as the type of activity authorised, employer restrictions, study institution, location, validity dates and other limitations.

Check the document as soon as you receive it. A mistake in your name, passport details, permit conditions or expiry date can affect employment, study, travel and access to services.

IRCC may send correspondence through an online account, email or other official channels while processing an immigration application.

A message may confirm receipt, request biometrics, ask for medical examinations or additional evidence, request a passport, provide instructions or communicate a decision.

Do not assume that a receipt or progress update means an application has been approved. Read the document type, application number, requested action and deadline carefully.

A person who becomes a permanent resident may receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and later a Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a PR card.

The PR card is official proof of permanent resident status and is normally required when a permanent resident returns to Canada on a commercial plane, train, bus or boat.

For a first PR card, many new permanent residents do not need to submit a separate application if IRCC receives the required Canadian mailing address and photograph within the applicable period.

Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system, but each province and territory administers its own health insurance plan and issues its own health card.

Eligibility, required documents, covered services and any waiting rules depend on the province or territory and on your immigration status.

Do not assume that your immigration document automatically enrols you in the provincial plan. Check when you can apply, what evidence of residence is required and when coverage begins.

Employment paperwork may include an offer letter, employment agreement, workplace policies, benefit enrolment documents, tax forms and payroll statements.

The contract or offer should clearly identify the employer, position, salary or hourly rate, working time, probation, benefits and termination terms.

Your pay statement may show gross pay, income-tax deductions, Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan contributions, Employment Insurance premiums and other deductions.

The Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, administers federal income taxes and many benefits and credits.

For tax purposes, being a newcomer is not determined only by immigration status. Tax residency depends on your residential ties and circumstances.

Employees commonly receive a T4 slip, while other income may be reported on forms such as T4A or T5. After your tax return is processed, the CRA may issue a Notice of Assessment explaining the calculation, refund, balance or changes made.

Newcomers may qualify for federal, provincial or territorial benefits and credits depending on tax residency, immigration status, household circumstances and other conditions.

CRA correspondence may concern payments such as the Canada Child Benefit or GST/HST credit, or may ask for proof of immigration status, marital status, children or income.

Check which benefit the letter concerns, the period covered, the information CRA used and whether you must provide documents to continue receiving payments.

Newcomers commonly open a Canadian bank account soon after arrival. Banks may ask for identification, immigration documents, a Canadian address and tax-residency information.

Account documents can contain monthly fees, transaction limits, interest rates and conditions for promotional newcomer packages.

If you apply for a credit card or loan, read the interest rate, annual fee, credit limit, payment due date and consequences of missing a payment.

Rental rules differ across provinces and territories. Housing paperwork may include a lease, deposit receipt, move-in inspection, utility agreements and correspondence from the landlord or property manager.

Before signing, check the rent, included utilities, deposit, lease term, renewal rules, occupants, insurance requirements and process for ending the tenancy.

Keep a signed copy of the lease and record the condition of the property at move-in. Provincial tenancy rules may limit deposits, rent increases and notice periods.

Driver licensing is managed by provinces and territories, not by the federal government.

Depending on where you live and where your existing licence was issued, you may be able to exchange it directly, receive credit for previous driving experience or be required to complete knowledge and road tests.

Check how long you may drive with a foreign licence after becoming resident and what documents are required for the local licence or identification card.

Public education is administered by provinces and territories and delivered through local school boards or equivalent authorities.

Families may need to provide proof of the child’s age, home address, immigration status, vaccination or health records and previous school information.

School documents can contain enrolment appointments, calendars, transportation information, meal programs, consent forms and deadlines. Save important dates separately so they are not missed.

Newcomers are often targeted by messages claiming to come from IRCC, Service Canada, CRA, police or other authorities.

Be cautious if someone threatens immediate arrest or deportation, demands urgent payment or asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency or unusual transfers.

If a message is suspicious, verify it through the official government website or your secure government account instead of using the telephone number or link contained in the message.

Immigration, tax, benefits, employment and provincial-government documents can contain strict deadlines for submitting evidence, extending status, paying an amount or requesting a review.

Keep the original message and record when you received it. Save proof of every online submission, payment and mailed response.

If a deadline affects your immigration status, right to work, taxes, benefits or a significant amount of money, confirm the requirements through the responsible authority or a qualified professional.