Your first 90 days in Canada: the settling-in checklist

The first three months are administrative. Do them in the right order and everything is easy; do them in the wrong order and you will find yourself unable to open a bank account because you have no address and no address because you have no bank account.

Week one

• Apply for your Social Insurance Number — everything else depends on it
• Open a newcomer bank account; most banks have a dedicated package
• Get a local phone number
• Register for provincial health coverage — there may be a waiting period

Weeks two to six

• Enrol children in school with your immigration documents
• Exchange or begin the process for your driving licence
• Arrange home and, if applicable, car insurance
• Build a credit history — a secured card is the usual starting point