After Landing
Becoming a Canadian permanent resident is just the start. The first weeks involve setting up identification, healthcare, banking, and tax registration. This pillar walks through the practical newcomer checklist by province.
What this section covers
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) — apply on landing
- Provincial health card and wait periods
- Driver's licence exchange agreements by country
- Newcomer bank accounts (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, CIBC)
- Building credit history in Canada
- First Canadian tax return — what to file as a newcomer
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for newcomers
- GST/HST credit for newcomers
- Newcomer mortgage programs
- Renting your first apartment
- Provincial settlement service agencies
- Cost-of-living guides by city
Latest in After Landing
5 articles
Tax filing first year in Canada 2026: GST credit and CCB
Guide to tax filing for newcomers in Canada, including GST credit and CCB
Read article →Canadian driver license exchange 2026: which countries qualify
Guide to exchanging your driver's license in Canada, including eligible countries and step-by-step process
Read article →Provincial health card by province 2026: wait times and rules
Provincial health card wait times range from zero days in Alberta and Saskatchewan to three months in Ontario, BC, and Quebec. Eligibility rules, accepted documents, and coverage options during waiting periods vary sharply by province in 2026.
Read article →First week in Canada checklist 2026: SIN, banking, health card
First-week Canada checklist for 2026: apply for SIN online or in-person, register for provincial health card (expect 3-month wait), open a bank account with temporary address, and get driver's licence or photo ID.
Read article →After You Become a Permanent Resident: Settlement Services and First Steps
After landing as a permanent resident, newcomers need to apply for Social Insurance Number (SIN), provincial health card, driver's licence, and bank account; access free IRCC-funded settlement services; and plan for tax filing. Settlement services include language classes, employ
Read article →Frequently asked questions
What's the first thing I should do after landing in Canada?
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) immediately — many providers won't open accounts without one. Then apply for your provincial health card (note: some provinces have a 3-month wait for new PRs to be eligible). After that, open a bank account and register at a settlement service agency.
Can I exchange my foreign driver's licence for a Canadian one?
Several countries have reciprocal exchange agreements with one or more Canadian provinces (e.g., UK, Japan, Korea, Germany, Australia, parts of the US). Outside those, you typically need to pass written and road tests. Each province has its own rules.
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