You are on: Get Organized tabs
Get Organized
The more you can do now to prepare for your move, the easier your move will be. We’ve collected some key tips to share with you:
Attend workshops on moving to Canada in your home country
Look for workshops run by the Canadian consulate or Canadian sponsored organizations like CIIP (Canadian Immigration Integration Project) that help new immigrants prepare for their move to Canada. These workshops offer customized advice, resources and help new immigrants prepare and integrate into the Canadian labour market while still in their home country to help make their transition easier.
Get your paperwork together
You’ll want to have your valid immigrant visa, passport, birth certificate, education documents, immunization and health records up to date and ready to go when you leave. You’ll find a complete list of essential documents and important items as well as helpful tips at Citizenship and Immigration Canada 
Make sure all your documents are either in English or French to ensure that they’ll be accepted by organizations in Canada. If not, have them translated and notarized.
Tip
Get your driver’s license, experience certificate from your local road transport authority and a reference letter from your existing automobile insurance company. These will act as proof that you are an experienced and safe driver. You may find them useful when you apply for automobile insurance in Canada. As well these documents may help lower the cost of your automobile insurance. In Canada, you must have vehicle insurance to drive legally. Learn more about Driving in Canada
Plan your arrival date
When you’re organizing your move to Canada, it is helpful to set a target date for your arrival. Then, prepare a timeline based on what needs to be done. Booking tickets early may also help you save on the cost of your ticket.
Tip
Many new immigrants find that moving during the summer – when most of Canada is experiencing warm or hot temperatures – is easier to handle on both a practical and emotional level than a winter move. Find out what type of clothes you’ll need when you arrive.
Decide what you want to bring
- When you arrive:
Plan to purchase or obtain all the items that you’ll need for the first few months of your stay, since other household items that are being shipped may not arrive for a few months after you do. Also consider bringing an extra supply of any medications you take—the same brands and formulations that you are accustomed to taking, may not be available in Canada and it may take time to find suitable alternates.
- After you’ve landed:
Obtain an estimate from a moving company for packing and shipping costs of items that will arrive later. You may wish to re-evaluate your packing list, as the cost of shipping large items like furniture may be as expensive as the cost of a new item in Canada.
Find a place to stay when you first arrive
Unless you have already arranged permanent accommodation, you’ll need somewhere to stay when you first arrive.
Your options might include:
- A hotel or motel room
- The home of family or friends who already live here
- A host or sponsor who has volunteered to house newcomers
- A house or apartment for rent – rental accommodation is usually listed in the classified advertising section of local newspapers in Canada or may be found by searching the internet.
Find newcomer services in your area
The Government of Canada provides many free services to newcomers to help them get settled. Before you arrive in Canada, check the free services offered in the area where you will be staying. You may also wish to consider booking an appointment with a service agency before you leave so that you can meet with someone soon after you arrive in Canada. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a complete list of community and government services.
Find out if you qualify for assistance
Canada offers special benefits programs to assist certain types of immigrants. Find out whether you’re eligible for these programs.
You are on: Prepare for Work tabs
Prepare for Work
This is perhaps the most important step in the immigration process. With some preparation, you can take advantage of Canada’s many job opportunities and find the success you’re looking for.
Prepare documents for work
Collect all of the personal and professional references that are important to your job search. Have these documents, as well as a résumé outlining your education, work and volunteer experience, diplomas, degrees, certificates and other qualifications, translated into English or French for potential employers in Canada.
Decide where to immigrate
The type of career you wish to pursue may impact where you choose to live in Canada. Although many people move to larger city centres, interesting job prospects may exist elsewhere in the country. To make an informed decision on which locations have the best prospects for you, visit the Working in Canada tool .
Research job opportunities
Evaluate your credentials
You likely want to know the value of the education, training, and experience that you have acquired outside of Canada. You can find out how your education compares with the standards in your province or territory of residence by having a provincial assessment service review your credentials.
Learn more about organizations and institutions that will help you get your credentials recognized in Canada.
Contact people who you know in Canada
Get in touch with friends and family in Canada who may be able to help you prepare for your move and help you get settled quickly and easily once you arrive.
They can serve as your initial network in Canada and may be able to act as a personal reference in your job search. They may also offer valuable information on important considerations such as accommodation and living expenses.
Evaluate your language skills
Rest assured that while English and French are very helpful in Canada—especially when it comes to finding a job—your language skills don’t have to be perfect immediately. Depending on where you move, you may find yourself surrounded by other immigrants from your home country who speak your language. And many organizations offer multilingual services to better serve their customers; at RBC Royal Bank, for example, we offer service by phone in over 180 languages and provide multilingual service at our branches.
Check out LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
LINC offers eligible adult immigrants (not just those looking for jobs) an opportunity to learn English or French for free. LINC can also direct you to education services in your community.
You are on: Arrange Finances tabs
Arrange Finances
Here are some things you can do now to help get your finances organized before you arrive in Canada:
Open a Canadian bank account
One of the first things you’ll want to do is set up a bank account.
- This will make it easier to transfer funds to Canada and is one of the most cost-effective ways to bring money into the country.
- It also means you will have your funds readily available when you arrive, making it easier to settle in Canada. For example, if you are looking to rent an apartment and have already opened an account and transferred funds, you will be able to provide a bank statement as proof of funds.
To open an account, call us collect at 1-506-864-2275 and we can speak to you in the language of your choice.
Transfer money into your Canadian bank account
A wire transfer of funds is one of the safest and most cost effective ways for you to bring your money to Canada. You will need to give the bank in your home country the following information:
- your complete name and address
- your five-digit transit number (including all zeros) for the Royal Bank account being used to receive the wire payment*
- your seven-digit account number for the Royal Bank account being used to receive the wire payment*
- your bank name as “Royal Bank of Canada”
- your complete bank branch address
- the Royal Bank of Canada SWIFT BIC (Bank Identifier Code) as “ROYCCAT2”
Estimate monthly living expenses
You can estimate your monthly living expenses based on where in Canada you will live, type of accommodation and transportation, schooling and living expenses such as food, clothing, utilities and entertainment.
Understand the Canadian banking system
Check out the RBC Guidebook called Understanding Banking in Canada 
for an explanation of Canada’s banking products and services as well as useful tips and information to help you and your family become financially established in your new home.
Get temporary medical insurance
Buying medical insurance from your home country before you leave or immediately upon arrival in Canada will protect you and your family from potential medical expenses in the event of an unexpected illness or an accident requiring medical attention. This insurance is required for the 90–day period following your arrival in Canada. Although Canada has health plans sponsored by the government in the province in which you reside, you will not be eligible to participate in this plan until 90 days following your arrival in Canada.
Obtain Canadian funds
Once you arrive, you will likely need cash for small purchases, taxis and so on. Use the Foreign Exchange Calculator 
to estimate how many Canadian dollars your money will buy.
Make banking arrangements in your home country
Before you leave, you will need to ensure that you set up banking relationships in your home country so that you will be able to manage them while you are in Canada.
Tip
Internet or online banking is an effective way to manage your accounts in your home country (if your existing bank offers these services).
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