A pre-arrival guide is what every prospective immigrant needs to ensure worry-free settlement in Canada.
Preparing to settle in a new country can be stressful and scary for you as an immigrant. You are probably confused about the numerous things you need to do to ensure you settle in smoothly and quickly.
Here is a list of important things to do before you arrive in BC. This post should serve as a pre-arrival guide for newcomers to British Columbia.
GATHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Having important documents is one key thing a good pre-arrival guide should have. Here is a list of important documents you need to bring along when coming to BC, Canada.
- Passports
- Birth certificates
- Educational diplomas and certificates, transcripts
- Marriage or divorce certificates
- Death certificate for a decreased spouse
- Adoption records for adopted children
- Official vaccination records for your kids
- Medical records (prescriptions, test results, x-rays, allergies, ante-natal test results/ultrasound etc.)
- Driver’s license and/or International Driving Permit, and official driving record or letter of experience (driver’s abstract)
Why do you need these documents?
You will need original copies of your documents to
- Obtain a Canadian identification
- Register for health insurance
- Obtain a BC driver’s license,
- Register your children in school
- Apply for benefits
- Enroll for studies
If your original documents are not in English or French, you will need to obtain certified translations. Please visit the Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia to find a certified translator in BC.
If you are a permanent resident, you need to prepare your documents for landing for the first time in Canada. You are advised to have these documents in your carry-on luggage:
- Valid passport with a Canadian immigrant visa
- Confirmation of permanent residence
- Two copies, each of the following list (if applicable)
– BSF 186 – Detailed list of all personal or household items brought with you
– BSF 186a – List of items arriving later (if you have items to be sent via cargo)
The list should show details of the monetary value, make, model, and serial number (if it has one) of your items.
For insights on what to cargo and what you don’t need to buy from outside Canada, read this blog post on 5 Important Items to Cargo as a New Immigrant to Canada.
UNDERSTAND LANDING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
If you are coming to Canada for the first time, you should visit the Canada Border Services Agency website to obtain detailed information about landing procedures. Please note, If you will arrive in Canada with a value equal to or greater than CAD10,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency or monetary instruments such as money order or traveler cheque) you are required to declare it on the CBSA Declaration Card.
Download and complete the following forms in advance to ensure your smooth arrival and make the process easier:
BSF186 – Personal Effects Accounting Documents (Settler)
BSF186a – Personal Effects Accounting Documents -List of Goods Imported
Research CIC guidance regarding duties on bringing goods into Canada.
SUBMIT TRAVEL INFORMATION ON ARRIVECAN APP
Since the advent of COVID-19, it is mandatory for everyone entering Canada by air, land, rail, or marine vessel to submit the following information:
- Contact information and travel details
- Vaccination information, pre-entry test results and travel history
- Quarantine plan
You need to submit your information within 72 hours before your arrival in Canada.
Otherwise, you may be denied boarding if arriving by air and may be denied entry into Canada if crossing at land, rail, or marine border crossing.
The ArriveCAN app is free and can be downloaded on Google Play or App Store.
For more information on this step, please visit the Government of Canada website.
BUY TEMPORARY MEDICAL INSURANCE
The health plan in BC is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). After you arrive in BC and register for the health plan, you will NOT be eligible for MSP for up to three months.
Therefore, It is recommended you buy temporary medical insurance because medical costs can be very high without coverage. Most of the large insurance companies and banks are places where you can buy temporary medical insurance.
Here is where you can find a list of insurance companies in Canada.
FIND TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION
It is advisable to get temporary accommodation before you rent or buy a permanent place to live.
In recent times, most landlords would want to see prospective tenants in person before they rent their homes. They would need to see some documents such as pay stubs, proof of employment, etc. to be convinced you can afford to rent their home.
Also, you should physically view any place you intend to reside for a long time before you rent. The pictures and videos you see on the listings might be old ones. The building may have changed over time. You need to view the neighborhood to determine if it will suit your preferences.
For a list of temporary accommodations by city and region, visit
FIND PRE-ARRIVAL SERVICES
You can get free in-person and online services to help prepare for and adjust to life in Canada.
There are immigrant settlement agencies sponsored by the government of Canada to provide pre-arrival services for new immigrants. They organize workshops to provide you with general information about your city/province, how to get a job, find childcare, find accommodation, how the Canadian system works, etc. They can also prepare a general pre-arrival guide for you.
You should find and enroll in these pre-arrival programs to gain insight into life in Canada.
Who is eligible for these services?
- Persons whose permanent residency application has been approved
- You are currently outside Canada
- You have one of these documents:
- Letter from IRCC saying you can get pre-arrival services
- Confirmation of permanent residence letter
- Passport request letter that indicates permanent resident visa issuance
- Letter from IRCC asking for your medical exam results
- Single-entry permanent resident visa
- Letter from IRCC letting your know you can pick up your permanent resident visa
You are NOT eligible if you are a temporary resident visiting, studying, or working in Canada on a visa or permit.
You can find pre-arrival service providers on the Government of Canada website.
RESEARCH THE JOB MARKET AND BEGIN YOUR JOB SEARCH
If you plan to work in BC and are you are not arriving with a job offer, you should search online for job postings and research the industry you plan to enter.
You can get more insights into the requirements, duties, and qualifications required for your target jobs on these job sites.
Some popular job sites include:
Research and understand the following:
- BC’s labour market
- Regulated and non-regulated occupation in BC
- How to write Canadian-style resumes and cover letters
- How to create a LinkedIn profile that attracts recruiters
- Interviewing
BC Settlement Buddy offers dedicated job search assistance for newcomers to BC. You need to reach out to someone who has navigated the job market in BC for guidance to help you land your dream job in the shortest possible time.
OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
To ensure faster integration when you arrive in Canada, you should understand the following before you arrive in BC:
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AS SOON AS YOU GET A VISA
- Book a flight
- Arrange for transportation from the airport to your temporary accommodation
- Send your excess luggage via air/sea cargo
- Change your local currency to foreign currency (USD/CAD)
For a more comprehensive list of what to do before you arrive in Canada, get a copy of this Pre-Arrival Guide for New Immigrants to Canada.
It is highly recommended you get a personalized pre-arrival action plan with links to resources peculiar to the city you intend to reside to help you prepare for your move to BC, Canada. For instance, if you intend to settle in Vancouver BC, this action plan will be tailored to this city. You will get a detailed guide on living in Vancouver (Jobs, Housing, Childcare, Business, Transit, etc.).
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