09 Apr What to Expect in Your First 90 Days in Canada
By Bree Global Immigration| Reading time: ~7 minutes
The Landing Is Just the Beginning
The moment you land in Canada as a new permanent resident is significant. But once that moment passes, the practical reality sets in quickly: you are in a new country, and there is a great deal to set up without delay.
The good news is that Canada has well-established systems for welcoming newcomers. The better news is that knowing what to expect in advance makes an enormous difference. Gulf expats are used to navigating bureaucracy in a second country; that experience serves you well here. What changes are the specific sequence, the institutions involved, and the timelines.
This article walks you through the first 90 days, what to do, in what order, and what to watch out for.
Before You Land: The Preparation That Saves You Weeks
The 90-day clock starts the moment your feet touch Canadian soil, but smart preparation begins before your flight.
Arrange temporary accommodation first. Whether it is a short-term rental, a serviced apartment, or staying with family or friends, have at least your first two to four weeks sorted before you arrive. Do not underestimate how much energy the early settlement process takes, you do not want to be apartment hunting while simultaneously opening bank accounts and registering for health insurance.
Bring physical copies of every important document. Passport, COPR, PR visa, educational certificates, employment records, marriage certificate if applicable, children’s birth certificates, and any professional licensing documents. Canadian institutions will ask for originals or certified copies repeatedly in the first few weeks.
Carry enough funds for the first month. Until your bank account is open and your financial life is established, you will be operating on cash or international cards. Factor in first and last month’s rent if you are moving into a long-term rental quickly, plus setup costs for a household.
Days 1 to 7: The Immediate Priorities
Confirm Your PR Status at the Port of Entry
When you land, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will process your entry and confirm your permanent resident status. They will stamp your COPR. Keep this document safe. It serves as proof of your PR status until your PR card arrives.
Apply for Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Your SIN is the gateway to almost everything in Canada, including employment, banking, tax filing, and government benefits. Apply at a Service Canada location as soon as possible after landing. Bring your COPR and passport. Processing is typically the same day at a walk-in office.
Open a Canadian Bank Account
The major Canadian banks, RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC, all have newcomer banking programs with reduced or waived fees for the first year. Bring your COPR, passport, and SIN. Having a Canadian bank account is essential for paying rent, receiving income, and building your Canadian credit history from day one.
Get a Canadian SIM Card
A local phone number is practical and necessary. Major carriers include Rogers, Bell, and TELUS. Smaller providers like Fido, Koodo, Freedom mobile and Public Mobile offer competitive rates.
| Gulf expats accustomed to relatively seamless carrier switching and prepaid flexibility in the UAE will find the Canadian telecom market works differently, plans are typically contract-based rather than prepaid by default. For the first month, a prepaid SIM from Public Mobile or Fido is often the fastest and most flexible option while you establish your permanent setup. |
Days 7 to 30: Building Your Foundation
Register for Provincial Health Insurance
Canada’s public healthcare system is administered provincially, not federally. Each province has its own health insurance plan and critically, its own waiting period before coverage begins.
Ontario (OHIP): three-month waiting period. British Columbia (MSP): three-month waiting period. Alberta (AHCIP): three-month waiting period.
Register immediately upon arrival, regardless of your province; the waiting period clock starts from your registration or arrival date, depending on the province. During the waiting period, arrange private health insurance to cover you and your family. Several insurers offer newcomer-specific plans for exactly this gap.
Secure Long-Term Housing
If you arrived in temporary accommodation, use your first few weeks to research and secure a longer-term rental. The Canadian rental market in major cities, Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, are competitive. Having your SIN, a Canadian bank account, and proof of funds ready will strengthen your rental application considerably.
Be aware that most landlords require first and last month’s rent up front. Rental agreements in Canada are governed by provincial tenancy law, which provides significant tenant protections. Familiarize yourself with the rules in your province.
Apply for Your PR Card
Your PR card is your official proof of permanent residence and is required to re-enter Canada on a commercial flight after traveling abroad. Apply through the IRCC portal as soon as possible after landing. Processing currently takes several weeks. Apply early and do not travel internationally until it arrives, or ensure you have alternative documentation in place.
Days 30 to 90: Settling In
Enroll Children in School
Public schooling in Canada is free for permanent residents. Contact your local school board to enroll children. You will need proof of PR status, immunization records, and previous school records. Most school boards have newcomer welcome centers or settlement support staff who can guide you through the process.
The Canadian school year runs from September to June. If you arrive mid-year, children can typically enroll immediately. Schools are experienced with newcomer students, and most have English as a Second Language (ESL) or French language support programs.
File Your Taxes — Even for a Partial Year
Canada’s tax year runs January to December, with returns filed by April 30 of the following year. Even if you arrived partway through the year, file a tax return. As a new permanent resident, filing unlocks access to benefits like the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), a significant monthly payment for families with children, and the GST/HST credit.
Keep records of your arrival date, income earned in Canada, and any foreign income during the year. A tax professional familiar with newcomer returns can be valuable in your first year.
Register with a Family Doctor (GP)
Finding a family doctor in Canada can take time; there is a well-documented shortage of family physicians in many parts of the country. Register with your provincial health authority’s patient registry and ask neighbors, colleagues, and community members for referrals. In the meantime, walk-in clinics are widely available and do not require an appointment.
Connect With Settlement Services
Canada funds a network of free settlement services for newcomers through organizations like ACCES Employment, COSTI, and local immigrant services agencies. Services include employment support, language training, guidance on credential recognition, and social integration programs. These are funded by the federal government and are free to permanent residents; use them.
Start Building Your Canadian Credit History
Your credit history from the UAE, Qatar, or anywhere else in the GCC does not transfer to Canada. You are starting fresh, regardless of how strong your financial record was abroad.
| This is one of the most significant practical differences Gulf expats encounter. Years of financial stability in the UAE, maintained salary accounts, UAE credit cards, a clean record with your bank, do not transfer to Canada’s credit reporting system. The secured credit card route is the most reliable starting point regardless of your financial background. Open one, use it for small regular purchases, and pay the balance in full each month. A strong Canadian credit score matters for future rental applications, car financing, and eventually a mortgage. |
The Emotional Dimension of Settlement
Settlement is not purely logistical. The first 90 days in Canada can be emotionally complex, even for people who planned carefully and genuinely wanted this move.
Gulf expats often experience a specific kind of adjustment. Life in the UAE, Qatar, or Bahrain comes with domestic help, a warm climate, tax-free income, and a tight-knit expat community where social life comes easily. Canada offers something different and ultimately more permanent, but the contrast is real in the early months.
The winters are colder than most people fully anticipate until they experience one. The social fabric takes longer to build. Professional recognition can take time if your credentials need evaluation. These are normal parts of the journey, not signs that the decision was wrong.
Connecting with your community early helps enormously. Canada’s major cities are home to vibrant, well-established newcomer communities representing cultures from across the globe, and Gulf expats will find familiar faces, languages, and traditions closer than they expect.
A Quick 90-Day Checklist
Week 1
- Confirm PR status and Canadian mailing address at the port of entry, and secure your COPR
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number
- Open a Canadian bank account
- Get a local SIM card
Weeks 2 to 4
- Register for provincial health insurance
- Arrange private health coverage for the waiting period
- Secure long-term housing
Month 2
- Enroll children in school
- Register with a family doctor or patient registry
- Connect with local settlement services
- Begin building Canadian credit history
Month 3
- Confirm tax filing obligations and gather documents
- Establish your professional network and, if applicable, begin the credential recognition process
- Review your financial setup — budget, savings, and benefit eligibility
Bree Global Immigration Is With You Beyond the Application
Most immigration consultants consider their job done when your PR is approved. At Bree Global Immigration, we believe the relationship with our clients extends into settlement. We are familiar with the practical realities Gulf expats face when they arrive in Canada, and we are happy to point you toward the right resources, community connections, and professional contacts to make your first 90 days as smooth as possible.
Whether you are still in the planning stages or have recently landed and need guidance on next steps, contact us — we are here.
| Frequently Asked Questions | |
| How long does it take to get a PR card after landing in Canada? | IRCC’s current processing time for PR cards is several weeks. Apply through the IRCC portal as soon as you have a Canadian mailing address after landing. Do not travel internationally without your PR card, or without confirming alternative documentation options with your RCIC first. |
| What health insurance do I need during the provincial waiting period? | Most provinces have a three-month waiting period before public health coverage begins. Private newcomer health insurance plans are available from major Canadian insurers and are specifically designed for this gap period. Register for provincial health insurance immediately on arrival, the waiting period clock starts from your registration date. |
| Can I enroll my children in school immediately after landing? | Yes. Canadian public schools accept permanent resident children at any time in the school year. Contact your local school board for enrollment. You will typically need your child’s COPR or PR documentation, proof of address, immunization records, and previous school records where available. |
| Do I need to file a Canadian tax return if I arrived partway through the year? | Yes. Canada taxes on residency. From the date you land as a permanent resident, you are a Canadian tax resident for the portion of the year you were in Canada. Filing a return for that partial year is required and unlocks benefits like the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credit. A tax professional experienced with newcomer returns is worthwhile in your first year. |
This article is intended for general informational purposes. Settlement programs, provincial health insurance rules, and government processing times are subject to change. Always verify current information with the relevant provincial or federal authority.