Main Contents

Additional information or documents
After the visa office receives your application, the visa office may request more information or documents. These may include the following:

Medical information
In most cases, you will need a medical examination. A visa officer will send you instructions if you need one. This may add more than three months to the processing time of your application. Find more information about medical examinations.
Security information
If you want to study in Canada, you and any family members who come to Canada with you, and who are 18 years of age and over, may have to provide police certificates. Find out more about the security checks.

The documents you need to enter Canada
When you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will greet you. The officer works for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA protects Canada's borders and points of entry.

The officer will ask to see your passport or travel documents. Even if you do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visa to enter Canada, the officer will ask you a few questions. The officer will make sure that you meet the requirements to enter Canada.

You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. You must demonstrate to the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada. You will also have to demonstrate to the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your approved stay.

Children under 18 should have valid identification with them. The documents a minor child needs to present depend on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone. Find out about the specific requirements for minor children.

The officer will stamp your passport or let you know how long you can stay in Canada. The period is usually six months. In some cases, the officer may limit or extend this period to cover only the planned purpose of your visit. Ask questions if you are not sure about anything.

If you do not obey the conditions of your eTA or visa, we will ask you to leave Canada. Most people asked to leave Canada have the right to a fair hearing to review the decision.

The CBSA officer will ask to see your travel documents when you arrive in Canada. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.

You should be ready to show the following documents:

• a valid passport or travel document. Note: If you have an approved eTA, it will be linked to the passport that you used to apply for your study permit.
• the letter of introduction from the visa office that you received when your study permit was approved (this letter contains your permit reference number and the CBSA officer needs this letter to issue your study permit)
• a valid temporary resident visa (if required)
• a copy of the letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution at which you are accepted to study
• proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada and
• letters of reference or any other documents recommended by the visa office where you applied.

Carry these items and all other valuable papers, cash, and traveller’s cheques with you at all times. Do not put them in your checked luggage.

You may not be allowed into Canada if any of your documents are missing or if any of the information on your application or letters of reference is incorrect.

Possession of these documents does not guarantee entry. All persons must establish that they meet all the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations before being authorized to enter or re-enter Canada.

If there are no problems at the point of entry, the officer will let you enter Canada and will issue your study permit. You should:

• check the study permit to make sure your personal information is accurate and
• check the expiry date on your study permit. You must leave Canada by this date.

Temporary housing

One of your first needs after you arrive in Canada is a temporary place to stay until you can rent or buy a home. One option is to stay at a hotel or hostel.

Most hotels and hostels have a website with photographs, location, price, and a description of the services they offer. You can also use travel guides, forums, and other websites to find reviews. Learn more about hotels and hostels by reading the Welcome to Canada guide.

You can also contact an immigrant-serving organization in the city or town where you plan to settle. Ask if temporary housing for newcomers is available and how much it costs.

Refugees will get help finding temporary housing as part of the Resettlement Assistance Program.

Types of housing

• Rental apartments: most apartments have one, two, or three bedrooms. “Bachelor” units have a single room that serves as a living area and bedroom.
• Rental rooms: large homes are sometimes divided into several private bedrooms that you can rent.
• Condominiums (Condos): for more information on condominiums, see the Condominium Buyer’s Guide
• Houses: there are detached houses with surrounding properties, as well as semi-detached and townhouses where each house shares a wall with another.

Renting a Home

This guide is intended to provide the most common rental requirements across the country. However, landlord-tenant laws change from time to time in every province. This guide is not intended to provide legal advice. If you require specific legal advice, contact your local rental authority or a lawyer.

Rental issues can be similar in any area of the country, but authorities may treat them differently according to provincial or territorial legislation.

For both landlord and tenant, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Your rental agreement or lease should cover most rules and terms, but treatment of the rules and terms in your lease may vary depending on the province or territory of the rental property. Knowing the rules for where you rent currently is crucial because the legal statutes may differ from province to province. For example, determining when a landlord can enter residential premises with or without notice differs across the country. The types of dwellings that fall under provincial or territorial tenancy legislation also vary from province to province. For example, in some provinces, mobile home park residents are protected under the provincial tenancy legislation, while in others they are excluded. Equipped with the right information, both landlords and tenants will be better prepared to deal with issues that might arise.

NOTE
Refer to your province or territory for specific answers to your questions and valuable links to additional resources. Rental authorities and advocacy agencies are there to help you.

Buying a home

This guide is here to make things easier for you by providing the information you need to make a wise homebuying decision. This section provides examples and worksheets that will guide you through the entire homebuying process, from the moment you make the decision to buy your own home to the moment the movers carry the first box through the front door. It couldn't be easier!

In this Section:

Step 1: Is Homeownership Right for You?
Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you'll ever make. Prepare by learning about the process of home buying and the responsibilities of homeownership.

Step 2: Are You Financially Ready?
This step guides you through some simple calculations to figure out your current financial situation, and the maximum home price that you should consider.

Step 3: Which Home is Right for You?
Once you have a good idea about your finances, you’ll need to think clearly about the home you’d like to buy. You need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.

Step 4: The Buying Process
Before you start searching for a home you need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.

Step 5: Now That You're a Homeowner
Practical advice for homeowners on their financial responsibilities as well as the importance of home maintenance and renovations.

Words to Know When Buying a Home
This glossary provides simple yet accurate definitions of certain terms you may encounter in the Homebuying Step by Step guide.

Canada’s universal healthcare system
All Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for public health insurance. When you have it, you do not pay for most health-care services as health care is paid for through taxes. When you use public healthcare services, you must show your health insurance card to the hospital or medical clinic.

Each province and territory has its own health insurance plan. Make sure you know what your plan covers.

All provinces and territories will provide free emergency medical services, even if you do not have a government health card. Restrictions may apply depending on your immigration status. If you have an emergency, go to the nearest hospital. If you go to a walk-in clinic in a province or territory where you are not a resident, you might be charged a fee.

Provincial and territorial ministries of health:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec (in French only)
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Extra health insurance
Government health insurance plans give you access to basic medical services. You may also need private insurance to pay for things that government plans do not fully cover.

The most common types of plans are extended health plans. These cover costs for:

prescription medications
dental care
physiotherapy
ambulance services
prescription eyeglasses
If you work, you may get extra coverage from the company or organization you work for.

Getting a health card

To get health care in Canada, you will need a health insurance card from the province or territory where you live. You must show this card each time you get medical services. Learn more about how to get a health card.

The waiting period to get public health insurance
Residents in some provinces must wait a certain period (up to three months) before receiving government health insurance (contact your provincial or territorial ministry of health to know how long you will need to wait). Make sure you have private health insurance to cover your healthcare needs during this waiting period.

Canada’s official currency is the Canadian dollar ($). There are 100 cents (¢) in a dollar ($). Coins have different sizes, shapes, and colours. They have nicknames that Canadians use in everyday life. These include:

Coin

 1¢: penny (the penny was removed from circulation in 2012)
 5¢: nickel
10¢: dime
25¢: quarter
 $1: loonie
 $2: toonie

Bank Notes (Bills)

In 2011, the Bank of Canada released a series of polymer banknotes or bills. Each bill is the same size but a different colour. The most common bills are:

   $5: blue
 $10: purple
 $20: green
 $50: red
$100: brown

Exchanging foreign money into Canadian money

Before coming to Canada, it is a good idea to change some money from your home country into Canadian dollars. You can also exchange money after you arrive. Most airports have foreign exchange offices. You can also get cash from automated banking machines (ABMs are also known as automated teller machines) using a foreign debit or credit card.

Sending money

If you send money through the mail, do not send cash. To send money, you may:

• Use a cheque or money order.
• Directly transfer money to another account at the bank. Buy a money order at the post office.
• Wire money through private money order or transfer services (ask an immigrant-serving organization).

Some of these transactions cost money. Make sure that you know the cost before you transfer money.

Cost of living

The cost of living varies greatly in Canada, depending on the province, territory, or city where you settle.

Tipping

A tip is some extra money you pay to reward the person serving you for their good work and courteous service. The standard amount for a tip is usually 15 percent of the bill.

Giving a “tip” for good service is often done in:

• Restaurants
• Bars
• Hotels
• Taxis
• Certain other situations when you had provided extra services.

Reference

Canada Government

Canada Tax Office

Social Insurance Number

Major Bank

• Royal Bank
• TD Bank
• Bank of Montreal
• Scotia Bank
• CIBC

Find Jobs

At 10 million square kilometres, Canada is the second largest country in the world according to landmass. The population, however, is significantly smaller at approximately 30 million people, which is about one-tenth of the population of the United States.

Canada is bordered by three oceans: the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific. The country is divided into geographical regions according to climate, industry, and landscape: Atlantic, Central Canada, Prairies, West Coast, and North.

There are three levels of government in Canada: federal (nation), provincial (provinces), and municipal (cities). Canada is grouped into 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with its own capital city. The national capital of Canada is Ottawa, Ontario.

Canada is the one of the leading G-7 Nations. The economic and social structures of the country are highly developed with excellent working conditions, a respected education system, and a high standard of living. The Canadian health care system is ranked one of the best in the world.

The Canadian population includes immigrants from virtually every country in the world. Every year Canadians welcome more than 200 000 new immigrants into the country. The contributions made by immigrants to businesses and communities are significant and important to Canada's continued economic and social growth. The federal and provincial governments promote multiculturalism and encourage the continuous development of Canada's cultural mosaic. Canadians come from many diverse backgrounds and cultures, and these heritages are celebrated both for their similarities and differences.

Once receiving landed immigrant (permanent resident) status, new Canadians receive full citizen rights. These rights are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In order to apply for a Canadian passport and be eligible to vote, you must become a Canadian citizen. You may apply for citizenship after residing in Canada for three years.

For more information about Canada (including: economy, government, land, and society) please visit:

Government of Canada official site