Moving to Canada: Your Complete Pre-Arrival Checklist
By WelcomeAide Team
Quick Summary
- Start preparing at least three to six months before your planned arrival date in Canada
- Gather all essential documents including your passport, visa, COPR, police clearances, medical records, and educational credentials
- Research housing costs and neighbourhoods in your destination city before arriving
- Open a Canadian bank account online before landing if your bank offers this option
- Contact a free settlement agency to get personalized pre-arrival support
- Register children for school and begin researching childcare options early
Why Pre-Arrival Planning Matters
Moving to Canada is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Whether you are coming as a permanent resident, a temporary worker, or a student, the preparation you do before you arrive can make the difference between a smooth transition and weeks of stressful catch-up. Many newcomers report that the first month in Canada is the most overwhelming, and those who plan ahead consistently have an easier time settling in.
This guide is designed to walk you through every important step you should take before you leave your home country. We have organized it into clear categories so you can work through each area systematically. You may want to bookmark this page and return to it as you complete each item. For a broader overview of what to expect during your first weeks, see our guide on navigating your first weeks in Canada.
Documents to Prepare and Organize
Documents are the foundation of your move to Canada. Missing or incomplete paperwork can cause delays at the border, problems with employment, and difficulties accessing services. Here is a comprehensive list of documents you should gather and organize well before your departure date.
Immigration Documents
Your most critical documents are your immigration papers. If you are a permanent resident, you will need your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and your permanent resident visa (if it was placed in your passport). Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date. Carry these documents in your hand luggage, never in checked baggage. You can find full details on what to bring on the IRCC pre-arrival page.
Identity and Civil Documents
Beyond your immigration paperwork, you should bring original copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), divorce or death certificate of a former spouse (if applicable), and adoption papers for any children. You will also need your driver's licence from your home country, translated into English or French by a certified translator if it is in another language. Some provinces allow you to exchange a foreign licence for a Canadian one without taking a full driving test, depending on where you are from. Learn more in our guide on getting a driver's licence in Canada.
Tip
Make two photocopies of every important document. Keep one set with you and leave one set with a trusted family member in your home country. Also scan everything and save digital copies in a secure cloud storage service you can access from anywhere.
Medical and Health Records
Bring complete medical records for every family member, including vaccination records, prescriptions, dental records, and any specialist reports. If anyone in your family takes prescription medication, bring a letter from your doctor explaining the condition and the medication, along with enough medication to last at least three months. Prescription names may differ in Canada, so having the generic drug name is helpful. For a detailed overview of healthcare, see our guide to healthcare in British Columbia or the equivalent guide for your province.
Educational Documents
If you or your family members have completed education outside Canada, bring original diplomas, degrees, transcripts, and any professional certifications. You may need to have these assessed by a designated organization such as World Education Services (WES) to get a Canadian equivalency. Starting this process before you arrive is strongly recommended, as it can take several weeks. If you applied through Express Entry, you may have already completed this step.
Financial Planning and Preparation
Financial preparation is one of the areas where newcomers most often underestimate the work involved. Canada is an expensive country, especially in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Having a clear financial plan before you arrive will reduce stress and help you make better decisions during your first months.
How Much Money to Bring
The Government of Canada sets minimum settlement funds requirements for economic immigrants. As of recent requirements, a single person needs approximately $14,690 CAD, and a family of four needs approximately $27,514 CAD. However, these are bare minimums. Most settlement agencies recommend having significantly more, especially if you are moving to a high-cost city. Check the latest figures on the IRCC proof of funds page.
Opening a Bank Account
Several Canadian banks allow you to open an account before you arrive. RBC, TD, Scotiabank, and CIBC all offer newcomer banking packages that you can start online from outside Canada. These packages often come with no monthly fees for the first year, free money transfers, and credit-building tools. Having an account set up means you can transfer money and have access to funds as soon as you land. For a full guide on banking, read our article on opening a bank account in Canada.
Warning
If you are carrying more than $10,000 CAD (or the equivalent in any currency) when you enter Canada, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency. Failure to declare can result in the money being seized and fines being imposed. This applies to cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, and securities.
Understanding Canadian Taxes
Canada has a progressive tax system with both federal and provincial income taxes. You will need to file a tax return for every year you live in Canada, even if you earned no income. Filing taxes is how you access important benefits like the Canada Child Benefit and the GST/HST credit. For a full overview of the tax system, see our guide to filing taxes in Canada.
Researching Housing Before You Arrive
Finding a place to live is often the most stressful part of moving to Canada. Rental markets in cities like Vancouver and Toronto are extremely competitive, with vacancy rates often below 2%. Starting your housing research before you arrive gives you a significant advantage.
Temporary vs. Permanent Housing
Most settlement agencies recommend arranging temporary housing for your first two to four weeks and then searching for permanent housing after you arrive. Temporary options include Airbnb, hostels, short-term furnished rentals, and staying with friends or family. Trying to sign a lease from overseas is risky because you cannot inspect the unit in person, and scams targeting newcomers are common. For detailed information on the rental process, see our guide on renting an apartment in Canada.
Researching Neighbourhoods
Spend time researching neighbourhoods in your destination city. Consider factors like proximity to public transit, grocery stores, schools (if you have children), community centres, and places of worship. Websites like Rentals.ca, PadMapper, and Craigslist can give you an idea of current rental prices. Your city's subreddit on Reddit can also be a valuable source of honest neighbourhood reviews from residents.
Tip
Use Google Street View to virtually explore neighbourhoods you are considering. This can give you a sense of the area, the types of buildings, nearby amenities, and general walkability before you commit to a location.
School Research for Families with Children
If you are moving to Canada with children, researching schools before you arrive is essential. Canada has a publicly funded education system that is free for all children from kindergarten through grade 12. The quality of public education in Canada is consistently ranked among the best in the world.
Public vs. Private Schools
Most newcomer families choose public schools, which are free and funded by the provincial government. Each province has its own education system with slightly different curricula. You will need to register your children at the school in your catchment area (the geographical zone assigned to each school). Some school boards also offer French immersion programs, which allow children to learn in both English and French. You can find your local school board through the IRCC education page.
What to Bring for School Registration
When registering children for school, you will typically need their birth certificate, immunization records, previous school transcripts or report cards (translated into English or French), your proof of address, and your immigration documents. Some school boards have dedicated newcomer welcome centres that can help with registration and assessment.
Contacting a Settlement Agency
One of the smartest things you can do before arriving in Canada is contact a settlement agency. These organizations provide free services to newcomers, funded by the Government of Canada. Many offer pre-arrival services that you can access from your home country, including needs assessments, employment counselling, and help with housing research.
Pre-Arrival Programs
Several organizations offer dedicated pre-arrival programs. IRCC-funded pre-arrival services are available online and by phone from anywhere in the world. These programs can help you create a settlement plan, understand the Canadian job market, get your credentials assessed, and connect with mentors who have already gone through the immigration process.
Key Settlement Agencies by Region
In British Columbia, major agencies include MOSAIC, ISSofBC, and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. In Ontario, look into COSTI Immigrant Services, the Centre for Education and Training, and ACCES Employment. In Alberta, the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) and Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers are well established. In Quebec, contact the Ministere de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Integration for province-specific services.
Tip
Settlement agencies can also help you find a family doctor, enroll in language classes, and understand your rights as a tenant. Their services are completely free for eligible newcomers, so there is no reason not to take advantage of them.
What to Pack and What to Leave Behind
Packing for a move to a new country requires careful thought. You will want to balance bringing essential items with the reality that shipping costs can be high and many things are readily available in Canada.
Essential Items to Pack
Beyond your documents, pack season-appropriate clothing. If you are arriving in winter, you will need a heavy winter coat, insulated boots, gloves, a hat, and thermal layers. Canadian winters can be severe, with temperatures dropping below minus 30 degrees Celsius in some cities. A good winter coat can cost $200 to $500 CAD in Canada, so bringing one from home can save money if you already own one suitable for extreme cold.
What Not to Pack
Large furniture and heavy household items are usually not worth shipping unless they have significant sentimental value. Basic furniture and kitchenware can be found affordably at stores like IKEA, Walmart, and Canadian Tire, or through second-hand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji. Electronics that use a different voltage may not work in Canada without a converter, as Canada uses 120V with Type A and Type B plugs.
Final Steps Before You Leave
In the last two weeks before your departure, there are several final tasks to complete. Cancel or redirect any subscriptions and mail in your home country. Notify your bank about your move so your cards are not flagged for suspicious activity. Download offline maps of your destination city on Google Maps. Save the address of your temporary housing, the nearest Service Canada office, and the nearest walk-in medical clinic. Have the phone number of your settlement agency saved on your phone.
If you have pets, research the requirements for bringing animals into Canada through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Requirements vary depending on the type of animal and where you are travelling from.
Warning
Do not pack prohibited items such as weapons, certain food products, or plants without checking Canadian customs regulations first. Items seized at the border cannot be recovered, and you may face fines or delays.
Getting Help Along the Way
Moving to Canada is a major life event, and you do not have to figure everything out on your own. Free resources exist at every stage of the process, from pre-arrival planning to long-term settlement. The most important thing is to start early and stay organized.
WelcomeAide is committed to helping you navigate every step of your immigration and settlement journey. Our AI Newcomer Navigator can answer your questions about immigration, connect you with local resources, and provide support in your language. Explore our blog for more newcomer guides, learn about our mission, or see how to get involved in supporting newcomer communities across Canada.