I have many married friends who off all the questions have one obvious question for me…that is “When am I getting married?” My answer is very sweet and simple to them, “I am happily single.” It takes a while for them to digest this fact. But its not there fault after all. They have been brought up in such a manner that it seems as a matter of fact and something rather odd in my statement.

Now let’s take the same instance with a slight twist. This time you are asked a question whether you are single or married and you say that you are committed and live with your partner. For your orthodox friends, some of them would sure be horrorstruck while others would react as if you have committed a sin. Most of the unmarried but committed couples out there would surely relate to what I am saying.

This is the clear demarcation in the changing rules of the society – The Old vs. The New! But looking at it with a practical perspective, what is the major difference between married and committed couples? If looked at it in theory, it’s just a matter of certificate. While in practice, there are a number of differences.

The social stigma is the biggest challenge that such couples have to face in a changing society. These tend to creep into daily aspects of life such as renting an apartment. The weary landlords could definitely turn out to be not so enthusiastic about lending their house. So, now with changing times, even they have developed brains to ask for a marriage certificate.

Another instance is easily of the neighbors reacting to it the moment they get to know about it. They might not reciprocate to it that well! But who cares? As far as you are happy with your spouse, nothing in the world seems to matter.

Now, with the Supreme Court backing such couples permitting live-in relationships as not being immoral, it is only a matter of time. More so, it is the financial independence teamed with being out there by self which brings about the zing and excitement for most youngsters. With this, one gets a fair chance to test the waters. What more could one in a relationship ask for?

It might not be that there are hundred percent chances that a relationship would end in wedlock. But then, it would make an individual more responsible and see the other side of the concept. Additionally, he/she would get a fair idea what being married to that person is going to be all about. And so, it definitely gives a chance to know the spouse better as well as the compatibility quotient.

So, whether you tie the knot or not, it depends on you as an adult to decide whether take the plunge which might change your life forever. However, it is important to keep both your head and heart in place before actually jumping to a conclusion. In other words, think it through carefully…Good Luck!

As we have already discussed a few legislated uses of the Social Insurance Number in Canada, it is needless to mention that the use of this personal identification is limited to government agencies and to a very few authorities. Let’s have a look at some more legislated uses of the SIN:

• Canada Student Financial Assistance Act: This act states that the students in Canada are required to provide their Social Insurance Numbers who take grants through the loan program for students. The respective authorities need the number for verifying the students’ details, including name, sex, date of birth at the time of granting the loans.
• Budget Implementation Act, 1998: Under this act, individuals who intends to take Canada Education Savings Grants are required to provide the SIN, so that the respective authorities could verify the former’s eligibility .
• Canadian Labor Standards Regulations: Also known as Canada Labor Code, which looks after the health and safety of employees in workplaces under federal jurisdiction, also requires employees’ Social Insurance Numbers, alongside other details in order to maintain records.
• War Veterans Allowance Act: Force veterans are asked to give their SINs in order to be qualified for financial benefits and allowances. They may be asked for the same by federal, as well as provincial governments.
• Federal Fuel Tax Rebate: When filing for fuel, like gasoline refund claim, the Canada Revenue Agency asks individuals for the Social Insurance Number. The agency is responsible for providing a rebate for a portion of the federal sales tax paid by the individuals on fuels that are purchased not for on-road uses. In this case, the SIN is used as a government account number.
• Labor Adjustment Benefits Act: The Labor Adjustment Review Board requires individuals’ SINs, who aged between 56- and-65-years under the Labor Adjustment Benefits Program. This is a program that offers financial benefits to the afore-mentioned age group people who have lost their jobs.
• Farm Income Protection Act: Agricultural producers or farmers in Canada are required to provide their SINs to the Agricultural and Agri-Food Canada for availing income assistance. The SIN is used to verify whether the information provided to the afore-mentioned department match the information provided to the Canada Revenue Agency for income tax purposes.
• Canadian Wheat Board Act: The Wheat Board in Canada requires the SIN for maintaining a record of the wheat and barley growers’ delivery and sale of their products.

Apart from these, the Elections Canada also uses the SIN.

Before we go into detail about the Canadian Social Insurance Number, let’s give you a brief introduction of the same. Well, Canadian Social Insurance Number is used as a unique piece of identification. It is a confidential number pertaining a Canadian citizen’s personal information. It is a thing to be treated with utmost care. Now, here are a few things that you should know about the Social Insurance Number.

Though the Canadian SIN was initially created to administer federal programs, today it is needed for a variety of purposes, including various income and tax related purposes. To be precise, the federal government in Canada uses the number to carry out certain government programs. Originally, it was used for programs like Pension Plan and unemployment insurance programs.

You will need the SIN in order to work in Canada, so that you could file taxes, as well as receive various Canadian governments’ benefits. However, not all government departments in Canada are authorized to collect your SIN. Banks can also use the number for income related purposes. Below are a few usage of the SIN:

• The SIN comes into play when it comes to insurable/pensionable job or employment. You are required to show your Social Insurance Card within 3 days from the date of joining a job.
• The SIN is used to file your income taxes. You may be asked to provide the number by federal, provincial, as well as municipal government agencies, whichever is applicable or which makes income tax information for you!
• You may be required to provide the SIN to banks and other financial unions.
• Any other authorized federal government agencies in Canada may ask you for your SIN.

Be always careful in providing your SIN to any agency or department. Whenever you are asked for the same, always make sure if it is required indeed by law. Never forget to ask the agency for what purpose they need your SIN. If you find that any other piece of identification would work for the purpose, then avoid providing your Social Insurance Number. Once you are provided with a SIN, it is your duty to take care of it. Be always watchful when using it!

Amongst all the immigration facets like accommodation, employment, settling down, post-landing issues and so on, taxes are another critical issue that new residents to Canada must know before moving to the country. The information in this blog throws some light on tax payment in Canada, but it is generalized information and should not be taken as legal words.

Tax revenues open a pathway for the new immigrants to avail facilities like health facilities, public utilities and so on. Therefore it is the responsibility of every citizen to pay tax on time. You can file the tax through tax preparation companies or visit Canada Revenue Office to know more about the taxes associated with your income.

Residents of Canada are taxed on the basis of their income, as it is a must to show the assets and liabilities due in one’s balance sheet in order to show a proof of your income status. For this, it is essential for you to keep a record of all the bank statements, salary slips and other financial documents before filing the tax return. If you have any property, attaching the documents of the same becomes an essential part of filing your tax returns.

It is mandatory for you to get a SIN as soon as you move to Canada. SIN identifies for Social Insurance Number and is a must to avail the vital services in Canada. GST credit is given to the eligible new residents who file their annual taxes (FORM RC151). In addition there are other benefits such as scholarships, Canada Child Tax Benefit Application, to name a few, which are awarded to the qualifying candidates. To know more, consult an Immigration and Visa adviser today.

After gaining the PR Status in Canada, it is mandatory that the migrant must apply for the following:

• A Permanent Resident Card: once acquiring the status of a Permanent Resident in Canada, you become eligible to get a Permanent Resident Card, which would be provided to you, free of cost. It is a wallet sized card that is essential for all the migrants living as Permanent residents in Canada (every country has its own mandates). It expires after every 5 years.
• SIN Card: SIN stands for Social Insurance Number and is required to work in Canada. So you are required to apply for the same as soon as possible in order to start your professional career. Ensure that you have a PR Card and a confirmation of PR and Visa counterfoil before applying for a SIN Card. Also make sure that you have all the documentation required to apply for the card. Consult an Immigration veteran to know more about it.*Applicants can apply for a SIN Card at any Service Canada Center.
  *(Never reveal your SIN Card Number to anyone!)
• The Health Card: it allows access to the health care facilities provided by the Canadian government. As a PR, you are eligible for various health care facilities. Everyone must have their own health cards, including all your family members. Certain services are not covered in Health care and for that it is advised to take a Private Health Card!

For other important documents, IDs and paperwork required after landing in Canada, consult an Immigration and Visa guide now!

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.