Action Plan
What to do — and when
The first 90 days matter most. Here's the correct sequence so nothing falls through the cracks.
Your first 90 days — newcomer action plan
Week 1
Foundations First
- Apply for SIN at Service Canada — bring passport + permit
- Open a bank account — RBC, TD or Scotiabank newcomer packages
- Apply for OHIP — takes 3 months to activate, start immediately
- Register children at local school board (CDSBEO or UCDSB)
- Get a temporary SIM — Koodo or Fido prepaid
- Find nearest walk-in clinic (OHIP won't be active yet)
Month 1
Settling In
- Apply for Ontario driver's licence (G1 test or Direct G if eligible)
- Get a secured credit card to start building credit history
- Open RESP if you have children — 20% government grant on first $2,500/yr
- Submit immunization records to EOHU or local health unit
- Children attend school — follow up on ESL assessment if needed
- Start looking for a family doctor accepting patients
Month 3
Building Forward
- OHIP now active — register with a family doctor
- File your first Canadian tax return (even if income was low)
- Open TFSA — start investing even $25/month in XEQT
- Review children's school stream placement
- Join community connections — cultural associations, newcomer centres
- Track community hours if child is in Grade 9–11
Step by Step
Each step explained
Every task in the right order — what it is, where to go, and what to bring.
1
SIN — Social Insurance Number
Do this first — everything else needs it
Your SIN is a 9-digit number required to work in Canada, open most bank accounts, file taxes, and access government benefits. Apply in person at a Service Canada office.
What to bring: Original passport + work/study permit or PR card. No appointment needed — walk in. Free. Takes 15–30 minutes.
Service Canada locations: Find nearest at canada.ca/service-canada
Important: Protect your SIN — never share it unless legally required (employer, bank, CRA). Never email it.
Service Canada locations: Find nearest at canada.ca/service-canada
Important: Protect your SIN — never share it unless legally required (employer, bank, CRA). Never email it.
2
Bank Account
Week 1 — needed for payroll
You need a Canadian bank account before your first paycheque. All major banks have newcomer packages with no monthly fees for the first year.
Best newcomer options:
What to bring: Passport, SIN, permit/PR card, proof of address (rental agreement or utility bill).
- RBC Newcomer Advantage — no monthly fee for 1 year, branch network across Canada, good for families
- TD New to Canada Banking — similar package, strong Eastern Ontario presence
- Scotiabank StartRight — 2 years free, includes international money transfers
- EQ Bank — online only, no fees, high-interest savings (2.5%+), great for savings once you have main bank
What to bring: Passport, SIN, permit/PR card, proof of address (rental agreement or utility bill).
3
OHIP — Ontario Health Insurance Plan
Week 1 — 3-month wait begins now
OHIP covers doctor visits, hospital care, and most medical services in Ontario. There is a mandatory 3-month waiting period — the clock starts on your arrival date or the date you apply, so apply immediately.
Apply at: ServiceOntario locations. Bring passport, proof of Ontario residency (rental agreement), and immigration document (work permit, PR card).
During the 3-month wait: Use walk-in clinics — you will pay out of pocket or use travel/international health insurance. Keep receipts for reimbursement if your employer offers coverage.
After 3 months: OHIP card arrives by mail. Register with a family doctor — use health811.ontario.ca to find doctors accepting patients.
During the 3-month wait: Use walk-in clinics — you will pay out of pocket or use travel/international health insurance. Keep receipts for reimbursement if your employer offers coverage.
After 3 months: OHIP card arrives by mail. Register with a family doctor — use health811.ontario.ca to find doctors accepting patients.
4
School Registration for Children
Week 1 — don't delay
Register children at your local school board the week you arrive. School boards do a Prior Learning Assessment to place your child in the correct grade and stream.
Eastern Ontario boards:
What to bring: Original transcripts, report cards, leaving certificates (translated to English if needed), immunization records, proof of address, passport.
Ask specifically: "What stream will my child be placed in — Academic or Applied?" Always push for Academic if your child has the academic ability.
- CDSBEO (Catholic, English) — Cornwall and surrounding area
- UCDSB (Public, English) — Upper Canada District School Board
- CSDCEO (Catholic, French) — French-language Catholic
- CDSBEO hotline: 613-933-1880
What to bring: Original transcripts, report cards, leaving certificates (translated to English if needed), immunization records, proof of address, passport.
Ask specifically: "What stream will my child be placed in — Academic or Applied?" Always push for Academic if your child has the academic ability.
5
Immunization Records
Month 1
Ontario requires proof of immunization for school attendance. Submit records to your local public health unit within 30 days of school enrollment.
Eastern Ontario: Submit to EOHU (Eastern Ontario Health Unit) at eohu.ca or call 1-800-267-7120.
If records are incomplete: A public health nurse will review and advise on catch-up vaccines. Some vaccines are free through the school immunization program.
Required vaccines for Ontario schools: Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), meningococcal. Bring original vaccination booklets from India or home country — they are accepted.
If records are incomplete: A public health nurse will review and advise on catch-up vaccines. Some vaccines are free through the school immunization program.
Required vaccines for Ontario schools: Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), meningococcal. Bring original vaccination booklets from India or home country — they are accepted.
6
Ontario Driver's Licence
Month 1
If you hold a valid licence from India, you may qualify for a Direct G licence (skipping G1/G2 tests). Most other countries require the standard G1 → G2 → G progression.
India licence holders — Direct G: If you have held a valid Indian driver's licence for at least 2 years and can provide an official driving record, Ontario may issue a G licence directly. Bring: Indian licence (original + certified translation if not in English), passport, proof of Ontario residency.
Standard G1 route: G1 written test → 12 months driving → G2 road test → 12 months → G full licence. Cost: ~$158 for full licence series.
Apply at: DriveTest centres. No appointment needed for G1 written test. Book road tests online at drivetest.ca
Standard G1 route: G1 written test → 12 months driving → G2 road test → 12 months → G full licence. Cost: ~$158 for full licence series.
Apply at: DriveTest centres. No appointment needed for G1 written test. Book road tests online at drivetest.ca
7
Credit Building
Month 1 — start immediately
Your Indian/overseas credit history does not transfer to Canada. You start from zero. Building Canadian credit takes 6–12 months of consistent on-time payments.
Best first step — secured credit card: You deposit $500–$1,000 as collateral and get a card with that limit. Use it for groceries, pay the full balance monthly. Never carry a balance.
After 6–12 months: Apply for a regular (unsecured) credit card. Your credit score will typically be 650–700 after a year of good habits — enough for a car loan or apartment rental without extra deposit.
- RBC Secured Card — easiest to get as a newcomer with RBC account
- TD Secured Card — same, available with TD account
- Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard — available without a secured deposit after 3 months
After 6–12 months: Apply for a regular (unsecured) credit card. Your credit score will typically be 650–700 after a year of good habits — enough for a car loan or apartment rental without extra deposit.
8
File Your Taxes
Month 3 (tax season)
File a Canadian tax return even in your first year — even if your income was low or zero. Filing activates TFSA contribution room, GST/HST credits, Canada Child Benefit, and builds your CRA history.
Free tax filing: Use simpletax.ca (Wealthsimple Tax) — free and beginner-friendly. Also available: CRA's NETFILE-certified software list.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB): File taxes as a family to receive CCB — up to $7,437/year per child under 6, $6,275 per child 6–17 (2024 figures, income-tested). This is significant — don't miss it.
GST/HST Credit: Quarterly payment from CRA for lower/moderate income families. Applied for automatically when you file taxes.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB): File taxes as a family to receive CCB — up to $7,437/year per child under 6, $6,275 per child 6–17 (2024 figures, income-tested). This is significant — don't miss it.
GST/HST Credit: Quarterly payment from CRA for lower/moderate income families. Applied for automatically when you file taxes.
⚠️ Mistakes newcomers make in the first 90 days
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Delaying OHIP application. The 3-month wait starts from when you apply, not when you arrive. Every week you delay is a week added to the end of your wait. Apply the first week.
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Not opening a TFSA immediately. Every year you delay, you permanently lose that year's contribution room (~$7,000). You can't catch up on missed years — the room is gone.
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Not filing taxes in the first year. Even with low income, not filing means losing GST/HST credits, Canada Child Benefit, and TFSA/RRSP room. File regardless of income level.
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Waiting to register children in school. School boards have intake processes that take time. Register the week you arrive — every week of delay is missed curriculum and delayed ESL assessment.
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Keeping all savings in a regular savings account. High-interest savings accounts feel safe but lose to inflation over time. Once your 3-month emergency fund is built, move long-term savings into a TFSA with a low-cost index ETF like XEQT.
Housing
Getting your first rental home in Canada
Renting in Canada as a newcomer is genuinely harder than for established residents. Landlords ask for credit history you don't have yet. Here's how to navigate it honestly and successfully.
Step 1 — Find listings
Kijiji.ca — largest rental classifieds in Canada. Filter by city and price. Many private landlords.
Rentals.ca / PadMapper — aggregator with maps. Good for comparing neighbourhoods.
Facebook Marketplace — surprisingly active for rentals in Eastern Ontario. Also check local Facebook newcomer groups — many landlords post there first.
Rentals.ca / PadMapper — aggregator with maps. Good for comparing neighbourhoods.
Facebook Marketplace — surprisingly active for rentals in Eastern Ontario. Also check local Facebook newcomer groups — many landlords post there first.
Step 2 — Approach & negotiate
Contact quickly — good rentals go fast. Have your documents ready before you start viewing.
Be upfront: "We are a newcomer family, arrived recently. I have an employment letter and can provide 2 months upfront if needed." Most reasonable landlords respond well to honesty paired with financial security.
Private landlords are more flexible than property management companies. Target them first.
Be upfront: "We are a newcomer family, arrived recently. I have an employment letter and can provide 2 months upfront if needed." Most reasonable landlords respond well to honesty paired with financial security.
Private landlords are more flexible than property management companies. Target them first.
Step 3 — Know your rights
Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act protects tenants strongly. Key points:
Max deposit = one month's rent (last month). Landlords cannot ask for more.
Rent increases capped annually (Ontario Rent Increase Guideline — 2.5% for 2025).
You cannot be evicted without formal notice and Landlord and Tenant Board process.
Max deposit = one month's rent (last month). Landlords cannot ask for more.
Rent increases capped annually (Ontario Rent Increase Guideline — 2.5% for 2025).
You cannot be evicted without formal notice and Landlord and Tenant Board process.
Step 4 — Build credit fast
Your first rental is the hardest. After 6–12 months of on-time rent payments, your credit score will have improved significantly.
Open a secured credit card immediately on arrival (RBC, TD, and Scotiabank all have newcomer secured cards). Use it for groceries, pay in full monthly. This builds credit history fast.
Your next rental will be much easier — landlords can verify your Canadian credit history.
Open a secured credit card immediately on arrival (RBC, TD, and Scotiabank all have newcomer secured cards). Use it for groceries, pay in full monthly. This builds credit history fast.
Your next rental will be much easier — landlords can verify your Canadian credit history.
Typical rental costs in Ontario
Smaller cities (Cornwall, Kingston, Sudbury):
1 bed: $1,100–$1,400 · 2 bed: $1,400–$1,800 · 3 bed house: $1,800–$2,200
Mid-size cities (Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo):
1 bed: $1,600–$2,100 · 2 bed: $2,000–$2,600 · 3 bed house: $2,400–$3,200
Major cities (Toronto, Vancouver):
1 bed: $2,200–$3,000 · 2 bed: $2,800–$4,000+
Utilities (heat, hydro, water): $150–$250/month extra unless included.
Internet: $60–$90/month.
Tip: Smaller Ontario cities are 40–60% cheaper than Toronto for equivalent homes — and many have strong newcomer communities and good schools.
1 bed: $1,100–$1,400 · 2 bed: $1,400–$1,800 · 3 bed house: $1,800–$2,200
Mid-size cities (Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo):
1 bed: $1,600–$2,100 · 2 bed: $2,000–$2,600 · 3 bed house: $2,400–$3,200
Major cities (Toronto, Vancouver):
1 bed: $2,200–$3,000 · 2 bed: $2,800–$4,000+
Utilities (heat, hydro, water): $150–$250/month extra unless included.
Internet: $60–$90/month.
Tip: Smaller Ontario cities are 40–60% cheaper than Toronto for equivalent homes — and many have strong newcomer communities and good schools.
🏫 Step 5 — Choose location near your child's school
This is one of the most important decisions newcomer families miss. In Ontario, school bus eligibility depends on how far you live from the school — and the cutoff matters a lot.
The two sweet spots:
✅ Under 1km (walkable) — child walks to school. No bus needed, very convenient. ✅ Over 1.6–2km away — child qualifies for a free school bus. ⚠️ The danger zone: 1–1.6km — too far to walk comfortably, too close for bus eligibility. You end up driving twice a day.
Distance thresholds vary slightly by school board (CDSBEO, UCDSB, LSDC). Always confirm the exact cutoff with your school board before signing a lease.
Practical tip: Use Google Maps to measure walking distance from a rental to the school before viewing. Aim for under 800m or over 2km. Anything in between puts the daily school run on you.
The two sweet spots:
✅ Under 1km (walkable) — child walks to school. No bus needed, very convenient. ✅ Over 1.6–2km away — child qualifies for a free school bus. ⚠️ The danger zone: 1–1.6km — too far to walk comfortably, too close for bus eligibility. You end up driving twice a day.
Distance thresholds vary slightly by school board (CDSBEO, UCDSB, LSDC). Always confirm the exact cutoff with your school board before signing a lease.
Practical tip: Use Google Maps to measure walking distance from a rental to the school before viewing. Aim for under 800m or over 2km. Anything in between puts the daily school run on you.
Temporary housing while searching
Don't rush into a bad rental. Use short-term options while you search properly:
Airbnb / furnished monthly rentals — more expensive but no lease commitment.
Extended stay hotels — Holiday Inn Express, Best Western have weekly rates.
Community connections — South Asian community groups in most Ontario cities share temporary hosting leads for newcomers. Local temples, WhatsApp groups, and Facebook newcomer groups are often the fastest way to find short-term accommodation.
Airbnb / furnished monthly rentals — more expensive but no lease commitment.
Extended stay hotels — Holiday Inn Express, Best Western have weekly rates.
Community connections — South Asian community groups in most Ontario cities share temporary hosting leads for newcomers. Local temples, WhatsApp groups, and Facebook newcomer groups are often the fastest way to find short-term accommodation.
⚠️ First rental mistakes newcomers make
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Signing a lease without reading it fully. Ontario leases must use the standard Ontario Residential Tenancy Agreement form. Read every clause. If a landlord uses a non-standard form with unusual clauses, have someone review it before signing.
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Paying more than one month as deposit. Ontario law only allows last month's rent as deposit. Any landlord asking for 3 months upfront as deposit (not prepaid rent) may be exploiting newcomer unfamiliarity with local law.
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Not documenting the unit's condition on move-in. Take photos and video of every room on day one. Email them to the landlord same day. This protects your deposit when you leave.
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Choosing location based on rent only. The school proximity sweet spots are: under 1km (walkable) or over 2km (bus eligible). The 1–2km range means you drive every day. Also check: distance to workplace, nearest walk-in clinic, and grocery access. See Step 5 above.
Common Questions
Newcomer settlement FAQ
How long does it take to get a SIN?▼
You can get a SIN the same day at a Service Canada office — it takes 15–30 minutes. You can also apply online at canada.ca/sin but in-person is faster and more reliable for newcomers. The SIN is issued immediately in person.
Can I use my Indian driving licence in Ontario?▼
Yes — for up to 60 days after arriving in Ontario. After that, you must have an Ontario licence. India qualifies for the Direct G conversion if you have held a valid Indian licence for 2+ years and can provide an official driving record from India. Contact a DriveTest centre to confirm your eligibility.
What is the Canada Child Benefit and do I qualify?▼
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a monthly tax-free payment to families with children under 18. It is income-tested — families earning under ~$35,000/year receive the maximum. You qualify if you are a resident of Canada, responsible for raising the child, and file your taxes. Apply through CRA's My Account or by filing Form RC66.
Do I need to speak French in Ontario?▼
English is sufficient for daily life across most of Ontario. However, French is widely spoken in Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Cornwall, Hawkesbury) and is a significant advantage for government jobs, healthcare roles, and bilingual positions. French is also a compulsory credit for the Ontario high school diploma (OSSD). Learning even basic conversational French is worth doing over time — especially if you're settling near the Quebec border.
Where do I find newcomer support services in my city?▼
Every Ontario city has IRCC-funded settlement services — search settlement.org or use the federal Compass to Connect tool (compasstoconnect.ca) to find services by postal code. These include language classes, employment help, and newcomer orientation. South Asian community groups — often connected through local temples and community centres — are also an excellent informal support network and frequently help with housing leads, school navigation, and practical settling-in advice. In Eastern Ontario specifically: the Agapè Centre (food security), Seaway Valley Community Health Centre (healthcare without a doctor), and Action Cornwall (employment) are strong resources.
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Next step for families with kids →
How the school system works, grade equivalencies, ESL, credits, and the path to university.