By Landing in Canada is exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. In 2024 alone, Canada admitted 483,640 new permanent residents, and almost every one of them faced the same first-week scramble: a phone that works, a way to get paid, a bank account, health coverage and a way to get around the city. The good news is that the essential tasks are predictable, and most of them are free or cost only a few dollars.
This checklist walks you through the first seven days, in the order that actually makes sense — because some tasks (like opening a bank account) need others (like a phone number) done first.
Quick Answer: What to do your first week in Canada
In your first week, prioritise these in order: (1) get a Canadian phone number, (2) apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) — it's free, (3) open a chequing account, (4) apply for BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) and buy private insurance to cover the ~3-month wait, (5) get a Compass Card for transit, and (6) start planning your apartment search. The SIN and MSP applications are the two things you should start on day one or two, because everything downstream — your first paycheque, benefits, and health coverage — depends on them.
Day 1–2: Communication and your right to work
Get a Canadian phone number
A working local number is the foundation for almost everything else — banks, employers and government services all want one. You have three broad options:
- The Big 3 carriers (Rogers, Bell, Telus) — widest coverage, highest prices.
- Flanker brands (Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus) — same networks, cheaper plans.
- Discount/MVNO brands (Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Freedom, Fizz) — the cheapest prepaid SIMs, often the best value for newcomers.
Prepaid is usually the smart first move because it needs no credit history and no contract. Prices change month to month, so compare current deals before you commit — our best cell phone plans for Vancouver newcomers guide breaks down who wins right now.
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your SIN is a nine-digit number you need to work in Canada, get paid, and receive government benefits. Applying is free — there is no fee, ever.
As a permanent resident you can apply in three ways:
- Online, by uploading your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or PR card — your SIN arrives by mail in roughly 10 business days.
- In person at a Service Canada Centre with your original documents — you usually walk out with your SIN the same visit.
- By mail, which is the slowest route.
If anyone asks you to pay for a SIN, walk away — it's a scam. For the full document list and step-by-step process, see our SIN application guide.
Summary: Get a prepaid SIM first, then apply for your free SIN. In person at Service Canada is fastest if you have your original landing documents.
Day 3: Build your financial foundation
Open a bank account
Once you have a phone number and (ideally) your SIN, open a Canadian chequing account so your employer can pay you by direct deposit. All of Canada's Big 5 banks (TD, RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC, BMO) run dedicated newcomer programs — typically a year of no-fee everyday banking, plus a starter credit card and help building credit. Perks and durations shift, so compare them rather than walking into the first branch you see: our best bank accounts for newcomers guide has the current breakdown, and if low fees are your priority, the best no-fee bank accounts roundup is worth a look.
To open an account you'll generally need your passport, PR card or COPR, and a local address. Bring your SIN if you have it.
Start building credit early
You arrive in Canada with no credit history, which makes renting, financing a car or getting a regular credit card harder. A secured or newcomer starter credit card is the standard first step — you use it for small purchases and pay it off in full each month. Limits are usually modest and vary by issuer and deposit. See how to build a credit score in Canada fast and the best newcomer credit cards with no credit history.
Day 4–5: Health coverage and getting around
Apply for BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP)
If you're settling in British Columbia, enrol in MSP as soon as you arrive — it's the provincial public health insurance. The catch: there's a wait period of the balance of the month you establish residence plus two more months (about three months total). Importantly, the date your coverage starts is set by the Ministry of Health based on your immigration status — it isn't always the day you physically arrived.
Buy private health insurance to cover that gap. Without it, a single emergency room visit during the wait comes entirely out of your pocket. Note that MSP does not cover dental, vision or prescription drugs — you'll want separate coverage or an employer plan for those. Full details are in our MSP guide for newcomers. While you're at it, you can also apply for a BC Services Card, which doubles as your health card and government photo ID.
Get a Compass Card for transit
Metro Vancouver's transit (bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus) runs on the Compass Card, available for a $6 refundable deposit. Loading "stored value" gives you the cheapest fares: the adult one-zone stored-value fare is $2.70, rising to $2.85 on July 1, 2026. (Paying by cash or tapping a contactless bank card costs more — the one-zone rate there goes from $3.35 to $3.50 on the same date.) Buses are a flat one-zone fare at any time. Our Vancouver transit and Compass Card guide explains zones and passes in detail.
A note on driving
If you plan to drive, you can use your valid foreign driver's licence for up to 90 days after becoming a BC resident. After that you must exchange it for a BC licence through ICBC — and depending on your home country, you may be able to swap it without re-testing. Don't drive past the 90-day mark on a foreign licence; it's treated as driving unlicensed.
Summary: Apply for MSP day one but bridge the ~3-month wait with private insurance. Grab a Compass Card ($6 deposit) and load stored value for the cheapest fares. Foreign licences are good for 90 days only.
Day 6–7: Settle in and look ahead
With the essentials in motion, use the back half of week one to get oriented. Stock your kitchen — our grocery shopping guide for Vancouver newcomers covers the major chains and where to find familiar ingredients. Map out your nearest pharmacy, library, walk-in clinic and grocery store.
Then start your housing search in earnest. BC has strong tenant protections you should know before you sign anything: the security deposit is capped at half a month's rent (with a separate pet deposit also capped at half a month's rent), and the 2026 rent-increase cap is 2.3% — a landlord can raise rent only once in any 12-month period, with three months' notice. Learn the rules in our BC tenant rights guide, and avoid rental scams with how to find an apartment in Vancouver without getting scammed.
One forward-looking task: even if you arrive mid-year, plan to file a Canadian tax return for your first year. Newcomers file to unlock benefits like the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit — you don't need a full year of residency. The 2026 filing deadline is April 30, 2026, and the federal lowest tax-bracket rate dropped to 14% (an effective 14.5% for 2025). Start with how to file taxes in Canada as a first-time newcomer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to apply for a SIN?
Nothing. Applying for a Social Insurance Number through Service Canada is always free, whether you apply online, by mail or in person. Anyone charging you for it is running a scam.
Can I open a bank account before I get my SIN?
Often yes. Banks can open a chequing account with your passport and PR card or COPR, though they'll ask for your SIN for any interest-earning account. It's fine to open the account first and add your SIN once it arrives.
How long do I wait before BC health coverage (MSP) starts?
Roughly three months — specifically, the balance of the month you establish residence plus two more months. The Ministry of Health sets your exact residency date based on your immigration status, so apply right away and carry private insurance until coverage begins.
How much is a Compass Card and a single fare in Vancouver?
The card itself is a $6 refundable deposit. The adult one-zone stored-value fare is $2.70, increasing to $2.85 on July 1, 2026. Loading stored value is cheaper than paying cash or tapping a contactless card.
Can I drive in BC with my foreign licence?
Yes, for up to 90 days after you become a BC resident. After that you must exchange it for a BC driver's licence through ICBC. Drivers from some countries can exchange without re-testing.
Do I need to file taxes if I arrived partway through the year?
Yes — and you'll usually want to. Filing your first return is how newcomers unlock benefits like the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit, even without a full year of residency. The deadline for the 2025 tax year is April 30, 2026.
References
- IRCC — 2025 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration — 2024 permanent resident admissions (483,640).
- Service Canada — Apply for a Social Insurance Number — SIN is free; application methods and documents.
- Province of BC — MSP coverage wait period — the ~3-month wait and how the residency date is set.
- TransLink — Pricing and fare zones — 2026 Compass fares and the $6 card deposit.
- ICBC — Moving to BC from another country — 90-day foreign licence rule and exchange process.
- Province of BC — Rent increases — 2026 rent-increase cap of 2.3% and deposit rules.
- CRA — What you need to know for the 2026 tax-filing season — April 30, 2026 deadline and the 14% lowest federal rate.