What you need know prior to coming to Canada as a Temporary Foreign Worker.
This information is for you to prepare for your travel to Canada, once you have obtained your temporary resident visa and information for when you land in Canada.
What you need to bring with you when you come to Canada as a Temporary Resident.
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Travel Insurance: I suggest you look into getting some travel insurance to protect you before you travel, during and upon landing in Canada, as this is something all travellers should do to ensure they have coverage in case something happens.
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Valid Passport with visa
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Employment offer letter (if you are coming as a worker)
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Employment contract (if you are coming as a worker)
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Admissions letter (if you are coming as a student)
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Attached letter of introduction from IRCC (sent you when you were granted the visa)
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This link will explain what will happen at the point of entry (POE) with the CBSA officer (immigration) https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/prepare-arrival.html
Things you will need to know when you arrive in Canada.
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Prepare your life in Canada: This link is a good resource on alot of the topics we have touched on and a few more. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada.html
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Getting to Know Canada: We are vast country and each province/territory is different as are the laws, traffic, cost of living, etc. You should get to know them to ensure you have a full understanding of where you will be residing. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/learn-about-canada.html.
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Find Free Newcomer services near you: This link will assist you with some free services; https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp
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Provincial Health Care: this is the medical coverage you will apply for once you land in Canada, as you require your work or study permit in order to apply and this covers you for doctor visits, hospitals stays, etc. Due to the delay in processing its good to have your travel insurance extended to cover this period and if you are coming as a worker, the employer will reimburse you only the coverage that is extended once you land in Canada, not before or during. Check the province you will be residing in for more information, as all provinces are different. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/health-care.html
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Company Benefits (for temporary foreign worker only): this is different than the Provincial Health care as this is a company policy where all employees pay into and it covers benefits like; medications, ambulance coverage, etc. all plans are different and normally start enrollment after a probation period, to which is outlined in your employment contract and once you start your employment, the employer or their designate would explain this to you.
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Social Insurance Number (SIN): this is a number you need in order to get paid by the employer, as it's tied to your deductions that are taken off your pay for government taxes, etc. and is a personal number only for your tax record purposes. You should apply as soon as you land, as you need your work permit and when you apply you will be issued a temporary number with a "9" and the link is here to apply:https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/apply.htm and here is the link which explains what it is: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin/qualify.html
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Getting a Canadian bank account, debit card, credit cards, etc.; https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/banking/opening-bank-account.html and https://www.nbc.ca/personal/accounts/newcomers/assistance-newcomers.html
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How our money works; https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/plan-finances.html
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Getting your driver's license and knowing the law: You should know the driving laws in Canada and in your province or residence and confirm if you need a new driver's license to drive, as this depends on different factors. You should also know the road conditions, speed limits, road signs, behaviours in Canada when driving, like slower traffic stays to the right. This link will guide you; https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/driving.html
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Public transit: This link provides information on the different types of public transporation as this will also vary depending on the province/city/town/ that you are residing in. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/driving/other-transportation.html
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Amenities (grocery stores, etc. ) near you: There are many different types of places to buy your home necessities, groceries, etc. and they vary depending on where you live. Some places have flyers delivered to their doors, which show the deals of the week and the stores that are offering them. You can also take a walk around and see what's closest to you or find one of the service centers in your communities who offer newcomers services from this link, as this is a good place to start and they will provide you with the information about your local community. https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp
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Getting a Canadian phone and number; https://www.bell.ca/Accessibility_services/Physical_solutions/ID_requirements and https://www.telus.com/en/newcomers-to-canada