Working Holiday in Canada: Do These Things During Your First Month

After activating your IEC Working Holiday permit by going through Canadian immigration, you’ll find yourself with a new to-do list of things to do to settle into your new life!

From phone numbers to bank accounts to housing… It can feel overwhelming.

This article will help you get organized in your first month in Canada.

1. Apply for a Social Insurance Number

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a unique nine-digit number that you will need if you plan to work during your stay in Canada.

Employers are required to request your SIN and record the number within three days of your start date, as it’s used for income tax reporting purposes.

You don’t need to have a job offer to apply for one, so there’s no reason not to do it as soon as possible.

2. Open a Canadian bank account

Whether you plan to work or travel, it’s handy to have a local bank account for everyday transactions. Opening a bank account in Canada is a relatively straightforward process.

To learn how to do so, read Opening a bank account in Canada.

3. Get a Canadian phone number

A Canadian phone number will come in handy not just for your job search, but also various other tasks. Canada’s country code is +1, the same as the United States’.

Phone plans offered by major carriers in Canada are generally quite expensive. That is why many working holiday makers choose budget-friendly Canadian carrier Fizz. Thanks to their partnership with pvtistes.net, you can get a $25 referral bonus, 10 GB of free mobile data, and one month of free Internet.

To learn more about your options, read How to choose a phone plan in Canada.

4. Find long-term housing

Hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs are convenient for a few days or weeks but can quickly become expensive.

For long-term housing, you can check Kijiji and Craigslist. They are the two biggest free online classified platforms. You can also browse Facebook housing groups for your city.

For more detailed tips and advice, read Finding accommodation in Canada.

5. Begin your job hunt

At some point during your working holiday, you will probably want to make some money.

Once you’ve adapted your CV to Canadian norms, you can start applying for jobs. Remember that the IEC Working Holiday permit grants open work authorization, so you can work for whomever you want (except the restricted fields indicated on your permit).

For a complete overview of the job searching process, read Finding a job and working in Canada.

6. Register with the consulate of your country

Many countries encourage their citizens to register with your country’s embassy or consulate in Canada. This is a free service, which allows your government to send you relevant important information to help keep you safe.

This is a recommended but not mandatory step.

7. Start meeting people!

Once you feel ready, you can go out to start meeting people! Canadians have a reputation for being nice, but it will still require concerted effort to make new friends.

Building up a social network is the most important aspect to feeling at home in a new environment. It’ll take some time, so be patient with yourself. For some inspiration, read How to make friends during a working holiday abroad.