Newcomer Roadmap
Your first 12 months in Canada, financially.
Your first 7 days in Canada
The SIN is free, same-day if you walk into a Service Canada office with your work permit or PR papers. Without it, nothing else works - no bank account (fully), no job, no tax filing, no benefits. Priority #1.
What you'll learn
Get your SIN the day you land
Open a chequing account within 48 hours
Canadian currency and tipping culture
Set up a phone plan
The Canadian number
Same day in person
SIN processing time
Source: Service Canada
Your first 7 days - the four things to knock out
Same day
SIN
Free, in-person at Service Canada
48 hours
Bank account
Bring passport + permit + address proof
$15-35/mo
Prepaid SIM
Public Mobile, Chatr, Lucky Mobile
15-20%
Restaurant tip
On the pre-tax subtotal, not post-tax
Your SIN unlocks work, banking, taxes, and benefits. Get it first - everything else builds on it.
Why your SIN is priority number one
Your Social Insurance Number is the key that unlocks every financial system in Canada. Without it, you cannot be paid legally, open a full bank account, file taxes, or receive government benefits.
Visit a Service Canada office in person with your work permit, study permit, or PR confirmation. Processing is same-day and completely free. You will receive a paper confirmation - guard it carefully.
Do this on day one or two. Everything else in your financial life depends on having this nine-digit number.
Opening your first Canadian bank account
Walk into any Big Five bank (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) within 48 hours of landing. Bring your passport, immigration documents, and proof of address if you have one.
Canadian banks are required by law to open a basic account for you even without a credit history. Ask about their newcomer package - most waive fees for 12-24 months.
Set up Interac e-Transfer right away. It is how Canadians send money to each other, and it is usually free with your chequing account.
Canadian money and tipping culture
The Canadian dollar is divided into 100 cents. Coins include the nickel (5c), dime (10c), quarter (25c), loonie ($1), and toonie ($2). Pennies were discontinued in 2013, so cash purchases round to the nearest five cents.
Tipping is a significant part of Canadian service culture. Restaurants expect 15-20% on the pre-tax bill. Taxi and Uber drivers expect 10-15%. Hairdressers, delivery drivers, and hotel staff also receive tips.
Most debit card machines prompt you with preset tip percentages. Skipping a tip at a sit-down restaurant is considered rude unless service was genuinely poor. Budget roughly 5% extra on all your dining for tips.
Setting up a Canadian phone plan
You need a Canadian phone number for almost everything - job applications, bank verification, healthcare appointments, even food delivery. Prepaid SIMs from Public Mobile, Chatr, or Freedom Mobile start at $15-35 per month and work the day you activate.
Big three carriers (Rogers, Bell, Telus) charge $60-90 per month for comparable plans. Their discount brands (Fido, Virgin Plus, Koodo) sit in the middle at $40-60. Shop around - Canada has some of the highest mobile rates in the world.
Avoid three-year contracts if possible. Month-to-month plans from the discount brands give you flexibility to switch as promotions change. Bring your own unlocked phone from home to save the device financing charge.
Cheat sheet
- Walk into Service Canada with your permit - SIN is same-day and free
- Big Five newcomer packages give free banking for 12-24 months
- No pennies in Canada - cash prices round to the nearest 5 cents
- Tip 15-20% at restaurants on the pre-tax subtotal
- Prepaid SIM from Public Mobile or Chatr for $15-35/month
Common pitfalls
- Delaying your SIN application - nothing else works without it
- Signing a three-year phone contract before comparing discount brands
- Forgetting to tip at sit-down restaurants and salons
- Using your passport as primary ID forever instead of applying for provincial ID
Did you know?
Service Canada offices process SIN applications in person the same day you visit, and the entire process usually takes under 30 minutes if you have your permit in hand.
This week's action
Walk into a Service Canada office with your permit - get your SIN the same day.