Pre-Arrival Services: What You Can Do Before Landing in Canada 2026
By WelcomeAide Team
Why Pre-Arrival Preparation Matters
The months between receiving your visa approval and actually landing in Canada represent a golden opportunity that many newcomers underutilize. Pre-arrival services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are specifically designed to help you start your settlement journey before you even board the plane. Research consistently shows that newcomers who take advantage of pre-arrival services find employment faster, experience less culture shock, and report higher satisfaction with their settlement experience compared to those who wait until after arrival to begin their preparation.
Think of it this way: every task you complete before arrival is one less thing you need to worry about during your first hectic weeks in Canada, when you will already be dealing with jet lag, finding temporary housing, setting up utilities, and navigating a new city. By using pre-arrival services strategically, you can arrive in Canada with a Canadian-style resume ready to go, a clear understanding of how your credentials will be assessed, potential employer connections, a housing plan, and a solid understanding of what to expect. This guide covers everything you need to know about accessing and maximizing these valuable services.
IRCC-Funded Pre-Arrival Services
The Government of Canada funds several organizations to provide free pre-arrival services to approved immigrants. These services are available to you once you have been approved for permanent residence but before you land in Canada. Here are the major IRCC-funded pre-arrival services you should know about:
See also: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence
Planning for Canada
Planning for Canada is one of the largest pre-arrival service providers. It is a consortium of service provider organizations that offers free, personalized support to help you prepare for life in Canada. Services include one-on-one needs assessments where a settlement counsellor evaluates your specific situation and creates a customized pre-arrival plan. You also receive access to group information sessions on topics like the Canadian labour market, banking, housing, education, and healthcare. The program provides employment-related services including resume and cover letter review, job search strategies, and interview preparation. All services are delivered online, so you can access them from anywhere in the world. Planning for Canada also connects you with settlement services in your destination city, so you have support waiting for you when you arrive.
Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA)
Canadian Orientation Abroad is a program delivered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of IRCC. COA provides orientation sessions that cover practical information about life in Canada, including climate and geography, rights and responsibilities, finding housing, healthcare, education, employment, and financial management. Sessions are available in multiple languages and are typically offered in group settings, either in person at IOM offices around the world or online. COA is particularly valuable for newcomers from countries with very different cultural contexts, as it helps set realistic expectations about life in Canada.
See also: Indeed Canada Job Search Guide
JVS Toronto Pre-Arrival Program
JVS Toronto offers a comprehensive pre-arrival program specifically focused on employment. Their services include detailed labour market information for your specific occupation and target city, one-on-one career counselling with experienced employment counsellors, Canadian-style resume and cover letter development, LinkedIn profile optimization, interview skills workshops, and networking strategies. JVS Toronto's counsellors have deep expertise in the Canadian job market and can provide valuable insights about which skills Canadian employers in your field are looking for, what certifications or designations might be beneficial, and how to position your international experience effectively.
See also: LinkedIn & Networking Tips for Newcomers
ACCES Employment Pre-Arrival Program
ACCES Employment is another major provider of pre-arrival services, with a particular focus on helping skilled professionals. Their program includes sector-specific employment preparation, so if you are an IT professional, engineer, financial services professional, or healthcare worker, you will receive guidance tailored to your industry. ACCES also provides mentorship connections, linking you with Canadian professionals in your field before you arrive. This early mentorship relationship can be incredibly valuable, giving you insider knowledge about your industry and potentially leading to job referrals.
Resume Preparation Before Arrival
One of the most important things you can do before arriving in Canada is prepare a Canadian-style resume. Canadian resumes differ significantly from CVs used in many other countries. Here are the key differences and tips:
- Length: Canadian resumes are typically one to two pages long, not the multi-page CVs common in some countries.
- No personal information: Do not include your photo, date of birth, marital status, gender, or nationality. Including such information is considered inappropriate in Canada and may actually hurt your chances, as employers are legally prohibited from considering these factors.
- Achievement-focused: Instead of listing duties and responsibilities, focus on quantifiable achievements and the impact you made in each role.
- Tailored for each application: Unlike a general CV, Canadian resumes should be tailored for each job you apply to, highlighting the skills and experiences most relevant to that specific position.
- Keywords: Many Canadian employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan resumes for keywords. Include keywords from the job posting in your resume.
Our resume builder is specifically designed to help newcomers create effective Canadian-style resumes. You can start using it right away, even before you arrive in Canada.
Starting Your Credential Assessment
If your profession is regulated in Canada (healthcare, engineering, law, accounting, teaching, etc.), you will likely need to have your credentials assessed by a Canadian organization. While the full licensing process usually cannot be completed before arrival, you can start several important steps:
- Obtain your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If you have not already obtained an ECA for your immigration application, do so now. Even if you already have one for immigration purposes, you may need additional or more detailed assessments for professional licensing.
- Contact your regulatory body: Identify the professional regulatory body in your target province and contact them to understand their specific requirements. Many regulatory bodies have online applications that you can begin from abroad.
- Gather and prepare documents: Collect all relevant academic transcripts, degree certificates, professional licenses, reference letters, and work experience letters. Have them translated by certified translators if they are not in English or French. Getting certified translations done in your home country is often significantly cheaper than in Canada.
- Research bridging programs: If your credentials will require additional education or training in Canada, research available bridging programs now so you can enroll as soon as possible after arrival.
Visit our credentials assessment tool to get a preliminary understanding of how your specific qualifications will be evaluated in Canada.
Housing Research Before Arrival
Finding housing in Canada, particularly in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, can be challenging and competitive. Starting your research before arrival gives you a significant advantage. Here is what you can do from abroad:
- Research neighbourhoods: Learn about different neighbourhoods in your target city, considering factors like proximity to your workplace, public transit access, safety, schools (if you have children), and cost of living.
- Understand the rental market: Familiarize yourself with average rental prices in your target area. Websites like Rentals.ca, Realtor.ca, and Kijiji provide current rental listings.
- Arrange temporary housing: Book temporary accommodation for your first two to four weeks (hotel, Airbnb, or a furnished short-term rental). It is much easier to find permanent housing once you are physically in the city and can view apartments in person.
- Prepare rental documents: Canadian landlords typically require a credit check, references, employment verification, and first and last month's rent. Since you won't have a Canadian credit history, prepare alternative documentation such as a letter from your employer, bank statements showing sufficient funds, and reference letters from previous landlords.
Networking Before Arrival
Building a professional network in Canada before you arrive can significantly accelerate your job search. Here are effective pre-arrival networking strategies:
- LinkedIn: Create or update your LinkedIn profile for the Canadian market. Connect with professionals in your field in your target city. Join LinkedIn groups related to your industry in Canada. Engage with content by commenting thoughtfully on posts by Canadian professionals in your field.
- Professional associations: Many Canadian professional associations allow international members. Joining before arrival gives you access to member directories, events, and resources.
- Immigrant professional networks: Join online communities and forums for newcomers in your profession. These networks often have active social media groups where members share job leads, advice, and support.
- Virtual events: Many professional events, conferences, and networking sessions are available online. Attend virtual events in your field to start building connections and understanding the Canadian professional landscape.
Financial Preparation
Financial preparation is another critical pre-arrival task. Before you leave your home country, take these important steps:
- Open a Canadian bank account: Several Canadian banks, including RBC, TD, and Scotiabank, offer newcomer banking packages that you can start setting up from abroad. Having a Canadian bank account ready means you can transfer funds immediately upon arrival.
- Transfer funds: Research the best options for transferring money to Canada, including international wire transfers, services like Wise (formerly TransferWise), and cross-border banking services.
- Understand the cost of living: Use resources like our cost calculator to estimate your monthly expenses in your target city. This helps you plan how much money to bring and budget for your first months in Canada.
Pre-arrival preparation is not just about checking boxes — it is about building the foundation for a successful life in Canada. Every hour you invest before arrival pays dividends in reduced stress, faster settlement, and quicker career progression once you land. Take full advantage of the free services available to you, and arrive in Canada ready to hit the ground running. For a comprehensive overview of all settlement tasks, check our settlement checklist to make sure you have not missed anything important.
See also: Banking in Canada for Newcomers
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