The pandemic forced the boundaries to shut for more than 15 months. During this time period, all the eligible COPRs (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) holders were able to complete the process of making Canada their forever home.
Since the begining of the pandemic in the early 2020, the world has come a long way. Canada has issued certain COVID-19 protocols that the immigrants and potential immigrants should abide. Everyone who is five and above should produce a proof of a COVID negative test.
Here is a list of tips that would help you toi navigate your Canadian immigration process:
Tips on pre-arrival
When you arrive at Canada border and you have been vaccinated fully you wont be quarantined for 14 days after arrival. Also, if you are having any symptoms you must be careful and reschedule on your date of arrival.
Notifications by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Canada Border Services should be regularly checked for any concerns or questions. Make sure that your Confirmation of Permanet Residence (COPR) has not been expired. IRCC will renew your COPR and provide you with helpful resources that will allow you to move around Canada again.
Establish a housing
The next step is to find a decent housing even before you arrive in Canada. Especially if you will have to be quarantined. The Qurauntine duration is for 14 days. Your credit score will be checkedby your landlord before signing rental agreements. But since you do not acquire a Canadian credit score, your previous country’s credit score can work as a proof as well.You will only be approved to attain a housing once your landlord has cross checked the credit score before signing the lease. It is alos advised hat you visit with your updated resume, all educational transcripts, aprrof of degree, birth certificate etc to prove yourself to be an unthreatening tenant.
You should start by looking for rental listings in the local newspaper and visit real estate office located nearby. Remember that your fist house doesnt necessarily mean that you will have to stay their for the rest of your life. It is your landing pad or a makeshift place that will get you settled initially.
Set up your finances
First and foremost you must get a financial advisor that will guide your way through your journey as an immigrant. It is important to refer to a trusted person for this since money is a serious matter. An advisor could help you to set up a bank account as an immigrant in Canada. They will also help you to learn someof the basic financial management skills like building a credit card history quickly to qualify for a vehicle loan.
They further help you to establish a savings bank account, and help you to complete no-fee international money transfers effectively.
As youtube over with setting up with a bank account, you will next have to set up a realistic budget which will allow you to distinguish between needs and wants in dollars.
You must also put aside some additional funds to adjust to the new cost budget when you move to Canada.
You could also get a credit card and start building up your credit history. IN Canada, peoplw give alot of importance to the credit score. From landlords to potential employers and utilities and lenders they all look at the credit history and credit score to see if you are financially stable or not.
Setting up important documents
Whenever you arrive at Canada, you have to put together all the necessary documents required for a new permanent resident in Canada. You will need:
- Permanent Resident (PR) Card: This card is obtained through your immigration process of Canadian permanent resident and sent to you before travelling. This card is used for travelling and for obtaining a bank account and other government documents.
- Provincial Health Card: This health card is a necessity for seeing a doctor, visiting a hospital or taking care of other medical needs. Without this card, you will be expected to pay your costly medical bills out of pocket. Many provinces offer access to medical coverage right away, but some provinces and territories require a three-month waiting period. If you are moving to one of the following places, you will need to get temporary private insurance to cover the gap:
- British Columbia
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon
- Social Insurance Number (SIN): At the moment, you can only apply for SIN cards online or via mail. Use your PR card to apply for your SIN as soon as you arrive. You will need your SIN to pay taxes, apply for interest-earning bank accounts and investments and to find employment.
