Moving to Canada: Top 10 Pre-Arrival Checklist (Part 2)

Moving to Canada can be an exciting and life-changing experience, but there's no denying that it requires some preparation.

In the first part of this series, we covered the first five items on our pre-arrival checklist, including gathering necessary documents, preparing for employment, and enhancing your language skills.

In this second part, we will discuss the remaining five items in our checklist that you should consider before moving to Canada. These will cover important aspects such as healthcare, choosing the right location for you, and understanding the Canadian climate. Following this checklist can help make the transition to your new home be as smooth as possible. Let's dive into the final five items on our pre-arrival checklist.

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6) Choose Your Location

Before you arrive in Canada, take time to decide which city would be best for you. Canada is a vast and varied nation with many vibrant cities and provinces, each with its own unique culture, geography, and work opportunities. It’s a good idea to investigate the different areas of Canada and what each offers: the cost of living, job opportunities, and cultural activities.^[i]

7) Purchase Health Insurance

Canada has a public healthcare system, but it may take some time before you are eligible for coverage. Additionally, it is a good idea to purchase private health insurance to cover you and your family for any additional health care expenditure. You may wish to gather information on different types of health insurance, including private health insurance and travel health insurance.^[ii]

8) Prepare for the Canadian Climate

Canada has four distinct seasons that roughly follow the months of the year, each with its own unique beauty:

Spring (March to May) brings mild and sometimes rainy weather and early flowers blooming, along with maple syrup festivals in many places.
Summer (June to August/September) can be very warm with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, perfect for outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and boating.
Autumn (September to November) is the most popular season with temperate weather and vibrant colors as trees change from green to red, orange and gold.
Winter (December to February) can be cold, so it's important to dress warmly and know how to stay safe in snowy and icy conditions. Check out this helpful resource to prepare for winter weather in Canada.^[iii]

9) Learn about Canada

Before you arrive in Canada, it is a good idea to learn about the country, its people, and its unique culture. Be sure to get familiar with information on Canada, including Canadian history, government, and culture.

10) Research Canadian Newcomer Services

The Government of Canada provides a range of settlement services to help newcomers prepare for life in Canada.^[iv] You may also look into pre-arrival services for information and support before arriving in Canada. These services cover a range of topics such as housing, education, and employment to help newcomers settle in and thrive.

Lots of additional information about life in Canada and what to expect on arrival can be found in this comprehensive Welcome Booklet.

Moving to a new country can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With proper planning and preparation, you can make your transition to Canada a smooth one.

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Why Choose TD?

150 years helping Canadians:

TD has a proud history of delivering financial solutions to Canadians for more than 150 years. TD also brings a century of experience helping newcomers navigate the unique challenges of the Canadian banking system.

With over a thousand branches and a reputation for excellence in financial services, TD has become one of the largest and most trusted banks in Canada, now serving 16 million Canadians.

TD offers online support and resources of interest to newcomers on topics such as banking basics, moving to Canada, credit score essentials, and more. TD has more than 1,100 branches and can also serve you in more than 50 languages . TD is open longer hours for your convenience. TD has thousands of ATMs across Canada to help you take care of your everyday banking quickly and easily.

Ready to Bank?

Learn more about TD’s New to Canada Banking Package today.

Book an appointment to talk with a TD Personal Banking Associate about the TD New to Canada Banking Package. You can book online right away, or visit the TD website to learn more.

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^[i] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/choose-city.html

^[ii] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/health-care/universal-system.html

^[iii] https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/seasonal-weather-hazards/be-prepared-for-winter.html

^[iv] https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp