OPINION: Five things I wish I had known before I moved to Canada as a permanent resident

I moved to Canada as a permanent resident (PR) at the beginning of 2022.

There are plenty of advantages to coming to Canada with PR status. PRs can live, work, or study anywhere in the country, access many of the same social benefits as Canadian citizens, and—if they meet eligibility requirements—eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.

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And yet, even with all that stability, I still learned a few lessons the hard way. Looking back, here are five things I wish I’d known before I moved to the Great White North.

1) Canadian heat can be as extreme as Canadian cold

I was completely prepared for Canada to be cold.

I did extensive research and fell down a black hole reading up on what to do if I got stuck in a blizzard or ended up with frostbite. What I didn’t properly anticipate was how much the weather changes depending on where you live in Canada.

Vancouver, for instance, is known for milder temperatures. Toronto—where I moved— averages around -7°C in January. Summer is a different kind of intense, with average July highs around 27°C, and there are plenty of days above 30°C.

Had I known how hot summers could get, I would not have given away all my summer clothes before moving.

2) Settlement services are great, free, and all around you

Canada’s settlement services are free newcomer supports, largely funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and delivered by community organizations to help newcomers with things like employment, housing, language supports, and navigating day-to-day life in Canada.

I only got in touch with a settlement service provider after a friend recommended one—well after I landed—and I was honestly surprised by how helpful they were.

The organization I worked with helped me:

• tailor my resume for the Canadian labour market;
• understand what Canadian employers look for; and
• get basic job interview preparation and workshop support.

Depending on where you live, there are also settlement organizations focused on a host of other services, such as those centered around specific communities and needs—services for women, youth, Francophones, and newcomers looking to improve their English or French, among others.

You can also access some services even before you arrive in Canada, through IRCC-funded pre-arrival programs.

Note: You can find a directory of IRCC’s federally funded settlement services here—however, many services are also funded by provincial and municipal governments as well. To find those, you will need to consult your province or city’s relevant settlement site.

To learn more about settlement services, visit our dedicated web page.

3) Meetup groups and networking events are great ways to meet new people

Depending on when and where you arrive in Canada, you might worry that it’s hard to meet new people.

In many regions, winter can make socializing feel harder at first—less time outdoors, fewer casual “let’s grab a coffee” moments, and sometimes a general urge to hibernate.

But Canadians really don’t let the weather stop them from living their lives. Many cities have Meetup groups, hobby clubs, sports leagues, and professional networking events year-round. There are also many Meetup groups specifically for newcomers.

For me, these weren’t just helpful for making friends—they were also useful for building a professional network in a new country.

Note: IRCC’s settlement page also has services for “connecting with the local community”. This can be a great place to start looking for events and services in your area.

Like other settlement services, there may also be parallel community services/events funded by your provincial or municipal authority.

4) Winter staples don’t have to be expensive

When you’re new, it can be hard to comprehend what kind of gear you need to buy—especially when that gear feels like it’s supposed to keep you alive in freezing temperatures.

That’s when overspending happens.

Yes, winter essentials can be a real investment, but they don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If I had to boil it down, I’d say:

• Invest in one good winter jacket (a warm parka or insulated coat with a hood is a classic choice);
• Invest in one solid pair of winter boots;
• Then layer smartly: thermals, gloves, warm socks, and a toque will do a lot of heavy lifting.

Save money by looking for quality and make, rather than brand: When shopping, focus on the features you actually need—like lightweight insulation or water resistance—rather than paying extra for a logo, since expensive brands don’t always offer better warmth or performance.

Finally, don’t feel like you need to buy everything all at once.

You can gradually pick up pieces as you understand the weather you’re dealing with in your city, to avoid overspending.

5) Changes to the immigration landscape may still impact you

A lot of newcomers assume that once they get PR, their immigration journey is basically over.

But PR status still comes with ongoing requirements, and immigration rules and policies can shift.

For example, over the last two years, IRCC announced that the standard validity period for visitor visas would shift from 10 years to just one to two years. This can impact any friends or family members of a new PR or citizen who wants to visit Canada, for example, to attend a wedding, graduation, or other life event.

Another example would be the Parents and Grandparents Program, which is currently only sending invitations to those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. If your long-term plan is family reunification, it really helps to stay up-to-date with the rules.

I also learnt that there are fundamentals to keeping my PR status, which is staying in the country for at least 730 days in the last five years.

Last but not least, all newcomers should educate themselves on misrepresentation, a legal term in Canadian immigration law that refers to directly or indirectly withholding facts relating to a relevant matter that could induce an error in how the law is administered. Misrepresentation can still impact permanent residents down the line (for example, when they apply for Canadian citizenship), and can even lead to the loss of their status in Canada.

Misrepresentation can happen accidentally and have other serious consequences, including leading to inadmissibility.

The point is that it’s in every newcomer’s best interest to stay informed, take applications seriously, and get qualified help if they’re unsure about something.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. For personal guidance, speak with an authorized immigration professional or consult official Government of Canada resources.

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