Learn to prepare Starting Canada Immigration steps, these step by step process will help you to achieve a successful application. Each steps are important to understand and need to be proceeded in a professional manner. Please check and go through each steps
In my opinion first step gather a clear idea of types Immigration options and then prepare all required documents.
Opening Bank Account Canada is one of the very first you need to do after you landed. Unlike in back home here bank account charge every month unless you taken special measure.
Every bank has some new comer Canada package that something you need to keep in mind.Banks in Canada
Lets look at different banks available in Canada that has maximum consumers.
RBC Royal Bank
TD Canada Trust Bank
CIBC Bank
Scotia Bank
BMO
There are also some fully online banks they dont have branches. These banks offer better rates and welcome bonuses
One you landed your address verification is very important for Govt organizations to make sure that you are a residence in Canada and living here. Hence they will ask for bank statement to verify your address. So first think you should do open your bank account in Canada.
What you need to check before opening an Account?
Of course terms and condition like and you should open account to X bank because someone else opened there you need check which is better for you.
– Monthly fee
– Types of Credit Card they offer
Here are the links for each bank fees, you must compare before you heading to open an account
After you come to Canada, Welcome Canada Checklist is something basic to dos that you need to complete.
– Social Insurance Number (SIN), normally done in Air Port after you landed.
– Open a Bank Account, Bank statements are required for your address verification sometime.
– Get Internet Connection, discuss with friends and families to get best deal.
– Apply Health Card.
– Find a Community Health Centre near by your location, this is needed until your health card arrive.
– Apply your Driver License.
– Apply for Child Benefits.
– Apply For Child Care, you need to apply soon this has normally long waiting period.
– Apply for Electricity Benefits.
– Find a settlement worker, they will help to connect with different social programs like Furniture Banks etc.
– Find Employment Resource Centres like Access Points.
– Connect with Facebook groups of you community, there you get lot of Informations and help.
– Locate public library close to you and register to get Library Card.
– Register your children to school, understand Education System.
– Find English classes for you and your family
– Understand Canada Chain shops few are like
Grocery – Walmart (Super Store), Food Basics, Metro, Fresco, Loblaws, Lawes, Shopper Dragmart
Kids – Babies R Us, Toys Y Us, Carter, Oshkosh
Electronics – Best Buy, Canadian Tier, Amazon Canada, eBay Canada, Staples
Cloths and Shoes including winter- Walmart, Sears, Hudson Bay, Eddie Bear, Columbia
– Meet and Greet people of your profession, attend Job fairs.
For all these you will need valid Photo ID until you have state ID or Driver License
– Passport
– COPR
PS: Some links I shared are based on Ontario, different province will have different links.
Housing System Canada has lot of varieties. Its better you understand before you rent one to live. There are many fact related to each housing types that are available. This write up is mainly focusing on living on a property not for buying though.
You need be aware of few facts before we talk about different types of properties for renting
Basement Living
Some house basement with separate entrance, many people opt rent this kind because its cheaper than other types of housed. However, if you kids its better to avoid. If you are a bachelor only it is okay to live there.
Renting a Property
While a renting a property you need to understand what type of property you are renting. Also norm of renting laws you can find more about Canada laws of renting house here. To rent a house normally house owner or property company requires your
Canada Govt ID or Passport photo copy
Income status
Credit History
For new comer 6 months of rent in advanced and a guarantor
Need to sign the agreement.
In North America specially in busy cities condition of property always a big concerns. Bed Bug and Cockroaches are buzz word you have to be very careful. You need to check the status of the property for these. Check the bed bug report of the property or discuss with friends and families.
Lets see the types of Houses in Canada
Rental Apartment
Condominiums Apartment
Condominiums Townhouse
Freehold Townhouse
Semi-detached House
Detached House
Rental Apartment
Condo Apartment
It is owned by property company and for renting only. Typically large building having 20-30 floors. Many families live in same building. The possibly the best option for New Comers to start living for initial days in Canada. Most apartments have one, two or three bedrooms.
As of 2017 rent seems as follows, however rent depends on location and facilities
1 Bed – 1200~1400 CAD
2 Bed – 1500~1700 CAD
3 Bed – 1700~2000 CAD
Condominiums Apartment
These are also big building with 20-30 floors living many families on the same building. Only difference if Condo apartments are owned by individuals who bought it from Property company.
Town HouseThere are Condo Fees to maintain indoor and outdoor common areas shared by the condo owners, including parking areas, elevators, carpets, front entrances, and any recreation facilities.
Rent are little higher than Rental apartments because these are well maintained.
Condominiums and Freehold Townhouse
Town House
A townhouse is a unit in a row of other units that look like houses, attached to each other. It share a wall on either side with the people who live beside. Often, especially in cities, there may also be a smaller unit above each townhouse, so there could also be someone living above you or below you. Townhouses are usually 2 or 3 levels tall.
Condo townhouses has Condo Fees where as Freehold does not have Condo Fees maintained by owner or tenant.
Semi-detached House
Semi-detached House
One house with two unit in it. Owners responsible for the care and maintenance of their own side, just like a detached house. Owners of semi-detached homes own their side of the property, including the land it is on, and are responsible for its care and maintenance.
If you renting this kind of house you will have maintain as per local govt law.
Detached House
Detach House
One house with it own land. Owner own both the house and the land it is on. Owner does the maintenance, pay for it.House owners must also pay the monthly bills for water and heat, as well as their other bills . Detached houses generally provide more space and privacy than other unit types.
More information on houses can be found in www.cmhc.ca
Job market Canada widely open to many types and flexible enough. Canada is cold country hence Job market slows down during winter and opens up during summer. Also each company has there own budget cycle based on that also Job market booms or falls. As per my study companies budget and job life cycle as follows
January : Start with previous year plan. February – March : Assess yearly budget and plan for hiring. April – September : Hiring starts and continues. October – December : Winter starts, start of next year plan, Christmas holidays etc. Market goes slow for Job market and
In Canada there are different types of Job as all modern countries normally has
1. Full-time Permanent Jobs
2. Contract Jobs
3. Hourly Jobs
4. Internship Jobs
5. Volunteer Jobs
1. Full-time Permanent Jobs
Full-time Job in Canada makes a settle Job for you, company has all your responsibilities what ever covered by Canadian Law. Normally full time Job does not offered by many companies immediately. Selection procedure also takes place with tough interview cycle in major companies.
In this type Job you pay high tax as per provincial and federal govt. Your payroll deducts with Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and if you taken any extra health benefit on top of Canada govt health plan.
2. Contract Jobs
This Job also for Skilled category immigrants, normally this kind of Job starts with 6 Months contract with 30- 40 hrs per week. Its a nice option for newly landed immigrants, this kind of Jobs normally follows to Permanent Position on the eve of ending contract period based on performance.
Contract Jobs often require Corporation. Learn more about how to do own corporation. Opening a Corporation is same like opening a small business company in Canada. I personally love this Job though both Permanent and Contract job has pros and cons.
3. Hourly Jobs
Also known as survival job to many Immigrants. This kind of Jobs pays based on hourly assignment with minimum wage of the province. Hourly assignment is offered by the store manager
Hourly Jobs offered by Super stores, Coffee shops or any personally owned Shops.
4. Internship Jobs
Internship Jobs are something many of the companies and bank offer to fresh graduate and new immigrants. Pay is little less but it gives an opportunity to start a job and gather Canadian experience. It also open a door for a permanent position.
Internship job can be applied through 3rd parties or directly to companies web sites. Often these positions are for a period of 6 months contracts. Learn More on Internship Jobs here.
5. Volunteer Jobs
Many new immigrant does this. This kind of Job people does for gathering Canadian experiences, this open many opportunities in the future. For integrating to Canadian society also this kind of Non-paid jobs helps a lot.
Volunteer Job offered by Schools, NGOs, Access Points etc.
Canada Education System is sightly different in each province. For new immigrants understanding Canada education system would help to put kids to right schools. Also to plan for right education path for your kids I felt understanding education system is very useful
Normally here mandatory education to kids start from 4 years of age. Interesting things is, kid who will touch age 4 years even in December month of that year will go to school in that same year September.
Canada education system is sub divided to number stages like
Pre School / Pre Elementary (age 3 – 4 years)
Starts with age 3 – 4 years
Not public school covered. For this parent need to pay if they dont have govt subsidy. No fix curriculum.
Junior High School / Middle School (age 13 – 14 years)
Grade 7, 8
Senior High School / Secondary School (age 15 – 18 years)
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
College
College offers different courses from 1 year certificate to 4 years full degree.
Certificates, 1 – 2 years
Associates Degree, 2 years
College Diplomas, 1 – 3 years
Bachelor Degrees, 3 – 4 years
University
Advanced academic certificates
Diplomas
Bachelor Degrees
Master’s Degree and
Ph.D.
If you live in Ontario there are two school boards you can explore TDBS for Toronto and Peel Schools for Mississauga
Many people from back home look for major Islamic schools Toronto. Well, Canada is a open country its has got all dimension of religions and faith. Religious point of view there are both Catholic and Islamic Schools available. First of all you also need to learn Education System Canada
But, Islamic Schools are private there is no Public Islamic school I have came across so far. Since Islamic schools are very few its difficult to get seat for your kids in higher ranked Islamic Schools, normally they put on waiting list for registration of 50CAD, they call back when ever seats are available.
How Much Schools would cost?
All Islamic school has there web sites with details some does not have average fee structure as follow
1. One time Admin fees 500 ~ 600 CAD per year
2. Monthly Fee – 200 ~ 300 CAD per month
3. Transportation Fee – 100 ~ 150 CAD per month.
Some of the Schools I know in Toronto and Mississauga are
Settlement fund Canada is needed for Skilled Category Applicants. Canadian Govt. require you have enough fund ready to live for first 8-10 month of arrival.
Getting ready your fund:
1. Keep required fund in yours or spouse’s personal account.
2. Fund need to be at-least 3 months old before you apply.
3. Current Account, Saving Account, Bond, Saving Fund under your or spouse name will work.
4. Fund must not move out once you apply until your immigration files completes.
How much Canadian Dollar you should have as fund? Calculate here.
Drivers License Canada has three grades to be achieved. Based on your grade you have certain restrictions. You need to prepare few things before you land to Canada to manage maximum benefits.
Lets know the grades of Class G (Car, Van etc)
G1
This grade is awarded when you pass written exam. This is mandatory exam you have to pass this to move next level. Steps are
Prepare from online resources for written test.
Visit to Service Ontario office near to you with your passport, back home driver license and any documents also PR card if available.
They will check you vision and register you for written exam.
Exam held for 1 hour for 40 question which has 20 rule and 20 sign question.
G2
This grade is awarded when you pass basic road test, test does not cover highway driving
If you do not have previous driving experience you have or experience is less than 1 year you will have to wait for 1 year after you pass G1.
Get the training and prepare road test
Normally trainer explains all the techniques required to pass G2 and when to register for exam.
G
This grade awarded when you pass professional road test including highway driving. This final level of Canada driving license.
After you pass G2 you need to wait for 1 year to give G road test unless you have 3 years back home driving experiences.
After you pass G2 you have to complete G with 5 years of you G2 license otherwise you have to renew G2 again with G2 exam.
Before you land to Canada it’s recommended you bring a certified letter from your home country’s Transport Authority which reflects age of your back home driving license. If your license is 2+ years old Service Canada will allow you to go for directly G test and G2 test will be waived for you. But in this case if you fail you will have to take G2 test again.
Renting Car Toronto is very popular due to high instance premium. Many people do renting cars instead of buying a car immediately in the major cities in Canada. This is because having a car is costly in busy cities in Canada due to high insurance premium. Average insurance cost for new drivers in Toronto is CA $270 – $300. For those does not have use of car everyday they normally rent it this cost CAD $40-$60 during winter and CAD $50-$100 during summer .
Following are popular car rental companies in Toronto or most of the Cities.
1. Book you car 1-2 weeks in advanced.
2. Call them when you are sure and confirm them the booking.
3. Pick the car on booking day, they will explain their policy you need to comply.
Thats it! Sometime renting is risky if you don’t take insurance and car get any damages. Most of the credit card here covers car insurance, you may also check your credit card for car insurance. Lean more about Canada.
