Moving to Canada Checklist

Planning for a smooth and stress-free trip to Canada has never been quite easy, especially for individuals who are doing it for the very first time.

Making a checklist before moving to Canada keeps you on track as you record and crosscheck every item and activity.

To bridge this gap, we’ve compiled a detailed list of essential items that we suggest you put in place before your departure to Canada, including a list of things to put to mind about packing for Canada.

Moving to Canada checklist

Some of the things under this section can take a while to arrange. It is good to properly review this before your departure time, so you can be prepared within the weeks and months before your flight to Canada.

To save yourself time and money, ensure you already have your travel insurance (a compulsory requirement to receive a working holiday visa in Canada).

Before it is time for you to move to Canada, ensure your checklist contains all of the following:

• Visa or working papers
• Flights to Canada
• Travel insurance for Canada
• confirm your passport is valid and up-to-date.
• Bank statements to act proof of funds.
• Updated resume using the Canadian format.
• Plan and prepare for a place to live at least for the first night of your arrival.
• Accommodation references from your former landlords.
• References from former employers (or a minimum of a contact for somebody who will comply with providing this if required while you’re in Canada).
• Ask previous insurers to provide you with a “no claims” letter, to function as proof of driving history.
• If your driving experience pre-dates the issuance date on your home drivers license, you’ll need a letter from your home licensing authority to prove how long you’ve been driving.
• Tax forms concerning the termination of your employment. this may prove useful if you’ve overpaid tax in your home country and wish to claim this back at the end of the tax year.
• If you intend on bringing your pet with you to Canada, read up our article on what animals can come to Canada with you, and what they have to possess with them.
• Be sure to terminate your contract together with your mobile provider before the last minute, as some contracts will have a cancellation period.
• If you would like to unblock you phone so as for it to work with other networks providers, plan for this early.

What to pack when moving to Canada

Some of these things will be taken out from your luggage and quickly assessed at the airport, so put them somewhere they will be accessed quickly as you start packing for Canada.

• Passport
• Visa, working papers, or other immigration documentation
• Bank balance letter
• Evidence of travel insurance, if applicable (e.g. a printed copy of your policy)
• The address of the plan you will stay
• Driver’s license or any sort of government-issued ID if you propose on going to venues that serve alcohol. Avoid having to using your passport in order for you not to lose it.
• Your resume. Email it to yourself or bring an electronic copy that you can simply print once the need for it arises.
• Accommodation reference letter.
• Motor insurance letter. Having a “no claims” letter from previous insurance companies may reduce your premium costs.
• Copy of student transcripts (if required).
• Prescriptions (if necessary).
• At least a pair of gloves, a warm hat and scarf.

These are essential items you may need if you plan on arriving during winter in any location outside the Greater Vancouver Area. You can buy your winter clothes and coat once you arrive in Canada, but ensure you have the essential items that can keep you warm through your first night in Canada.

Items you would possibly wish to pack for Canada

• Some Canadian currency, to avoid being stranded searching for an ATM at the airport.
• An extension cord, so you’ll able to run multiple devices from home using only one Canadian adaptor.
• Chargers for phones, and all of your gadgets.
• Food items from your home country (of course, non-perishable)
• Large (but not too large) items, sort of a guitar or surf board or whatever belongings that you may want to use during your leisure time. Checking these as additional luggage on your flight will be cheaper and easier, instead of shipping them separately.

Goods to follow When moving to Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid out regulations for private items following you to Canada, with key information on which goods may qualify for duty- and tax-free importation, and the way the method works. Visit the CBSA page to learn more.

Finally

Oh, you finally arrived in Canada, it is important for you to know your environment, and, cost of living in different environments too. Here we have a detailed article on what life in Halifax looks like and we also wrote about life in Toronto.

If any of these 2 cities are your place of residence, then you can quickly read up the linked articles. We hope this article was helpful.