Now that you have arrived in Canada, certain mandatory requirements are a must to be fulfilled. The initial culture shock of the new place would make it a difficult for you to settle down. But, worry not! The service of an immigration and visa specialist is an important guiding factor at this stage.
You would need to find a job for yourself so that you can support self and dependents. Along with this, comes chalking out a suitable accommodation. The following details would help you with the same –
Apply for a Canadian identification which includes a driver’s license, a health insurance card which are mandatory to be carried at all times.
Open a local bank account, apply for private health insurance incase you do not qualify for the immediate public health insurance coverage of the local province.
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) has to be applied for.
Last but the not least, start searching for a job.
In your initial days of landing, you can prioritize the below mentioned activities as the major ones –
Look for accommodation and housing options.
Get accustomed to the local area. It would be ideal if you go through a map and find out about the various modes of transportation available.
Exchange money to get and use the Canadian currency.
Get your hand on a local telephone and make a record of all the telephone numbers that are important.
Get to know more about Canada and enroll your children to an appropriate school.
The first few months should see you doing the following –
Work on your language and communication skills.
Register with a doctor in the community.
Immunize your children.
Know more about the various services offered in your local community which is now your home.
Get in touch with the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) assessment centre in your community. It is suggested that you enroll yourself for language classes.
Apply for tax and the various tax benefits and other credits.
As time passes and you get acclimatized to your surroundings, you can slowly learn more about your rights and responsibilities as put forth by the Canadian laws.
Above all, it is best to consult an Immigration and Visa firm where the consultants would see to it that you go through a smooth ride post landing in Canada.
Now that you have landed in the new country, there would be many changes you would experience, some expected and others unexpected. This article gives you an insight on such instances.
It is always better to get acquainted with the changes you would need to adapt to. To help you with this, consult an Immigration and Visa Specialist who is adept with all the information in this regard. A Visa Expert would provide you with all the relevant information which would help you better adjust with your new environment. And the more you learn, the better it is.
Since, it is going to be extremely challenging dealing with the extreme weather or the culture shock, it is highly important that you are mentally prepared for the same. Some such challenges include the following:
Canada could be considered as a mix of cultures where you can find people from different ethnicities from across the world. Thus, you would meet people totally different from you in all aspects. You would have to get used to the local customs and traditions followed by the citizens.
You might end up feeling uncomfortable, alienated, insecure and uncertain of the decision you took. This would lead to an increase in your stress levels. You might feel helpless and how to react to situations initially.
You might have to get used to the Canadian accent or even learn English or French according to the province in which you reside.
Getting your children enrolled into a school, get yourself a job and a house to live in a decent community.
During such circumstances, it is important that you do not give up hope. It is all a matter of time for you to adjust to the new country. All you need to do is keep trying and learn at every step.
A Visa Veteran would help you contact an Immigrant – Serving Organization which would help you with the necessary resources to cope with the circumstances.
The Canadian government offers various services to all the newly landed immigrants on its soil. These are executed via the Immigrant Serving Agencies or organization in the various communities throughout the country.
For some of the provinces, the respective provincial governments are responsible are implementing such programs. These include British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba. You can contact the concerned provincial authorities to know more on the same.
The various Immigrant Serving Organizations cater to the following services –
Getting in touch with the local Canadian officials who could help with the various services.
Housing and accommodation facilities.
Applying for the Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a Health Insurance Card.
Register with a Doctor to rush to incase of emergency.
Helping to enroll your children in a good school.
Availing language skills classes.
Referring to the services offered by the government and the community.
Making you familiar with the day to day activities such shopping, banking and so on.
To know more, contact an Immigration and Visa veteran who is updated in this regard. He would help you find an Immigrant – Serving Organization in your community which will make it easier for you and your family to better acquaint with the new country.
You have finally immigrated to Canada! Wow! No need to say that the last few days of completing the whole immigration process were really hectic and full of excitement. That phase has passed now. Now you must think about establishing yourself in Canada! Right?
You need to consider various aspects such as settling down, finding an accommodation, a nice job, getting your children enrolled in a good institution, to name a few. The very first thing that you need to do is run your mind through the following check list:
Make sure that you have ample bank-balance to support self and dependants (if any). Also assure that you apply and/or shortlist some of the likely employers for a credible job in order to earn a stable income and maintain your bank-balance.
Start exploring your “Housing Options.” Different places like Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa (to name a few) offer different prices as far as the accommodation is concerned. Make your move wisely.
You have to see to it that you have applied for the Canadian identification and carry the relevant documents (like your license etc.) with you every time. In addition, keep some of the bank-receipts handy with yourself. You never know when you can need them.
It is a wise option to keep some Canadian currency with you. You can exchange your money for the Canadian currency.
Take care of yourself and maintain a health insurance that would keep you away from the future hassles. Take at least three months insurance for self and all family members immediately on landing on a PR visa. A wise decision would be to get one before landing in Canada.
It is also beneficial to apply for a Health Insurance Card as soon as possible and permitted.
Learn more about the local aspects like the transportation, pricing of basic utilities and so on. This way, you can keep yourself updated with the information on the current happenings around you. (Tip: Get a local map of your area and have a sneak peak of all the places located near you)
Start working on your language and communication skills: This would help you in interacting with the local masses and keep your thoughts in front of them in a better way.
Make a search and list out agencies and organizations – Government and NGO- that are mandated to help the newly landed immigrants and their families on various aspects related to starting the new life in Canada.
You can also search communities, religious agencies and organizations that can help you in establishing a network with the already settled people in Canada.
Last, but certainly not the least: Know about your rights and responsibilities under the Canadian Law and Human Rights.
Migrating to a new country is never easy. Such matters require a professional assistance from an experienced veteran beside you. Hire an immigration specialist today.
