Planning Your Move to Canada: A Simple Newcomer Checklist

If you are planning a move to Canada, a bit of preparation may help your transition feel smoother. There are a few practical areas to look at before you leave, such as reviewing your work documents, getting financially ready, learning about available newcomer services may help you prepare for your move to Canada.

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This nine-point checklist walks you through steps that may help you plan for your arrival and first months in your new home.

1. Gather Your Important Documents

Before you travel, collect the documents required by the Canadian government. This may include passports, birth certificates, academic records, medical information, and any immigration paperwork. As a best practice, you may want to keep your documents with you during travel rather than placing them in checked luggage to minimize risk of the documents getting lost.^[1]

2. Review Your Work Credentials

If you plan to work in Canada, it may help to understand how your work qualifications match Canadian requirements. Some occupations are regulated, and you may need an assessment before you begin searching for work. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) explains how recognition works and which organizations handle assessments.

3. Explore Job Opportunities and the Canadian Workplace

If you hope to work soon after arriving, you may want to start exploring the job market in advance. The Government of Canada’s Job Bank offers job postings, labour market information, and tips for preparing a resume and cover letter.^[2] Reviewing this information early may help you understand what employers look for in your field.

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4. Decide Where You Might Want to Live

Canada offers many regions with different lifestyles, climates, and job markets. You may want to look into the cost of living, types of housing, transportation, and employment opportunities in various cities or provinces. Exploring these differences before you arrive may help you choose a location that fits your goals and preferences.^[3]

5. Strengthen Your English or French

Building your language skills may make daily life and work easier once you arrive. Newcomers can access assessments, online courses, and community programs designed to support English and French learning. Even small improvements before travelling may help with communication and confidence.^[4]

6. Understand How Health Care Works

Canada has a publicly funded health care system, but as a newcomer, you may experience a waiting period before coverage begins. Due to this, temporary private health insurance may be helpful during your first weeks or months in the country. Government information explains how provincial health coverage works and what to expect as you settle in.^[5]

7. Learn About Canada’s Seasons and Weather

Canada experiences four distinct seasons, and weather conditions may vary widely depending on where you live.

• Spring often brings rain and mild temperatures.
• Summer may be warm or hot, with many outdoor activities available.
• Autumn is known for cooler air and colourful leaves.
• Winter can be cold, with snow or ice in many areas.

Tips on preparing for winter conditions, including safe travel and clothing choices, are available from Environment and Climate Change Canada.^[6]

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8. Budget for Early Expenses and Daily Living

Your first months in Canada may come with new or unfamiliar expenses. Housing, transportation, food, and clothing costs differ by city and province. Government guidance offers advice on budgeting and financial planning for newcomers.^[7] Resources from TD also outline banking options and financial steps you may want to take before and after moving.^[8]

9. Use Settlement and Newcomer Support Services

Many support services are available to help you prepare for life in Canada. Pre-arrival services may assist with job preparation, settlement planning, and language resources. After you arrive, local newcomer organizations can guide you through housing, education, employment programs, and community services. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada also provide a detailed guide that introduces many aspects of daily life.^{[9] [10]}

Preparing for a move to Canada may involve several steps, from gathering documents and assessing credentials to learning about employment, health care, and newcomer support. Taking time to explore these areas before you travel may help you start your new life with greater clarity and comfort as you settle into your new surroundings.

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Why Choose TD?

More than 160 years of helping Canadians:

TD has a proud history of delivering financial solutions to Canadians for more than 160 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 the ability to also serve you in more than 80 different languages, 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 is open longer hours for your convenience and has thousands of ATMs across Canada to help you take care of your everyday banking needs quickly and easily.

Ready to Bank?

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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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Information provided by TD Bank Group and other sources in this article is believed to be accurate and reliable when placed on this site, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate or complete or current at all times. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, legal, accounting or tax advice, and should not be relied upon in that regard. This information is not to be construed as a solicitation to buy. Products and services of the TD Bank Group are only offered in jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale. All products and services are subject to the terms of the applicable agreement. The information in this article is subject to change without notice.

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[1] Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Personal Loans, Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/loans/personal-loans.html#toc0, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[2] Government of Canada, Newcomer Job Search — Newcomers, JobBank.gc.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/newcomers, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[3] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Settlement Services for Newcomers, Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[4] Government of Canada, Improve Your English or French as a New Immigrant, Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/improve-english-french.html, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[5] Government of Canada, Universal Health-Care System for New Immigrants, Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/new-life-canada/health-care/universal-system.html, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[6] Government of Canada / Environment and Climate Change Canada, Be Prepared for Winter, Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/seasonal-weather-hazards/be-prepared-for-winter.html, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[7] TD Bank Group, Types of Loans and Lines of Credit, td.com, Toronto, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, 2025, https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/advice/borrowing/types-of-loans-and-lines-of-credit, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[8] TD Bank Group, Planning to Move to Canada, td.com, Toronto, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, 2025, https://www.td.com/ca/en/personal-banking/solutions/new-to-canada/planning-to-move-to-canada, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[9] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Settlement Services for Newcomers, Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp, (accessed 27 November 2025).

[10] Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Welcome to Canada (PDF publication), Canada.ca, Ottawa, Government of Canada, 2025, https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/welcome.pdf, (accessed 27 November 2025).