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| After you arrive |
There are many things you need to do when you settle in a new country. Find out
how to get the help you need and learn all about living in Canada.
Contact us to schedule an initial consultation. Our legal services provided by the Canadian law firm RSS.
Welcome to Canada
Congratulations! You have taken a big step. Moving to a new country takes
courage. This guide tells you a little about what it’s like to live in Canada.
It also lets you know who can help when you need more information. We hope it
will help you adapt to your new life.
Government services
The main telephone numbers for federal, provincial, municipal or regional
government departments are listed in the blue pages of your local telephone
directory. Some are listed by department, some by service. Frequently called
numbers, including a central information number, are often listed at the
beginning of each section. The Government of Canada's toll-free number is
1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232).
Papers and other identity documents
Official identification papers are extremely important, and can be difficult to
replace. These include health records, birth certificates, Confirmation of
Permanent Residence forms (IMM 5292) and Permanent Resident cards. If you are
living in Quebec, you'll receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec.
You'll need these papers to apply for various government services and benefits,
and to obtain a Social Insurance Number and a health insurance card. It's very
important to keep these government-issued documents in a safe place at all
times. Never lend or let someone else use your cards. You could lose your
benefits.
Where to stay
For the first few weeks or months, you'll probably want to find temporary
housing while you look for a more permanent place to live. Hotels can be
expensive, so you may want to rent a furnished room or an apartment initially.
To help you in your search, you could check the classified ads in the daily
newspaper in your area. Look under “Apartments” or “Houses for Rent.”
Applying for a Health Insurance Card
Canada has one of the finest health insurance programs in the world. Health
insurance means that you don’t have to “pay” directly for most health-care
services. They are paid for through your taxes. When you use these services,
you simply present your health insurance card.
While health insurance is a national service, each province administers its own
program. There may be some variations in eligibility from province to
province. Some provinces require you to pay a small monthly fee for this
insurance. It is important to apply for your health insurance card as soon as
possible. You can get an application form at a doctor's office, a hospital,
pharmacy, or any immigrant-serving organization. You can also get forms from
the provincial ministry responsible for health, which will be listed in the
blue pages of your telephone book. You will need to show some identification,
such as your birth certificate or passport, or your Confirmation of Permanent
Residence (IMM 5292). The permanent resident card itself may also be
presented.
Permanent residents in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have
a three-month eligibility waiting period. During this time, you should apply
for temporary private health insurance coverage. Private insurance companies
are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book, usually under
“Insurance.” Private health insurance is also available for services that are
not covered under the government health insurance plan. These can include
dental costs, or private hospital rooms. Some employers also
offer additional health insurance for a monthly deduction from your pay cheque.
In most provinces, health insurance does not cover the cost of prescription
drugs, dental care, ambulance services and prescription eyeglasses.
Short-term emergency and essential health services are available to all
refugees under the Interim Federal Health Program, even during the three-month
eligibility waiting period.
Remember: Each member of your family needs his or her own health insurance
card. Always bring your card with you when you go to the doctor or the
hospital. A health insurance card must not be exchanged with anyone else. It
is for your use only and you could lose the benefits it provides by letting
other people use it. You could also face criminal charges and be removed from
Canada.
Applying for a Social Insurance Number card
Applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is one of the most important
things you'll need to do after coming to Canada. You'll need it to work here,
to open a bank account, and to obtain your tax credit. This number tells the
government who is earning money, paying taxes, paying into pension plans and
using government services. Employers will ask you for this number when they
hire you.
To apply for one, simply go to your nearest Service Canada Centre (listed in
the blue pages of your telephone book).
Opening a bank account
To open a bank account, you should be prepared to provide identification such
as your passport or Social Insurance Number. Post office savings accounts do
not exist in Canada.
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