Critical tasks for immigrating to Canada: 6 months before arrival

With just six months left, make sure that all of your legal documents from your home country are in order.

In our previous guide we talked about how critical it is to have a valid passport, obtain necessary visas, and make sure all paperwork for the Canadian immigration authorities is in order Opens in a new window.. Double-check everything for completeness and accuracy.

Make sure you have birth certificates for yourself and anyone who will immigrate to Canada with you. These can be hard to get once you’re outside your home country.

Depending on your situation, you may need copies of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or death certificate for a deceased spouse, or police certificates Opens in a new window..

Your legal status may be complex. Or maybe you’ve found the necessary paperwork confusing. If so, consider working with an immigration or citizenship representative who can help you with all the details Opens in a new window.. This can be very helpful in the last 6 months before your move.

At six months out, you should begin job hunting Opens in a new window.. Refine your resume and cover letter to reflect the expectations of Canadian employers.

You may need work experience documents. Collect letters confirming employment history and up to date professional certifications and credentials. Get in touch with any people you plan on asking for references, and let them know your plans.

Networking can make a huge difference in your job search. Use your network to find people who already work in Canada that you can talk to. Join career groups relevant to your field on LinkedIn, and look for professional associations you can join for your career.

When you immigrate to Canada, you have to prove you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive. The government wants to ensure you’ll have enough money to live on while you settle in and find employment.

Financial preparation is incredibly important. By this point, you should have a clear idea of your overall budget and your personal finances.

Here are documents you’ll need to prove financial resources: 

• Bank statements: recent bank statements showing a history of your bank balances over several months. 
• Official bank letters: letters must list all current bank and investment accounts, outstanding debts including credit cards, loans, other debts and their current balances. 
• Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): you can get these from a Canadian bank. 
• Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name: if you can open a Canadian bank account ahead of time, and transfer funds into it, this can be helpful. 
• Loan documents for any student loan or educational loan. 
• Proof of funding paid from a Canadian entity if you have a valid job offer.

The funds you list must be readily available to you. For example, you can’t use equity on real property as proof of settlement funds, because you would have to sell or refinance the property, which takes time. Also, if you’re bringing family, you have to show additional funds to cover each dependent.

Funds must be available both when you apply, and when a permanent resident visa is issued. So be prepared to provide updated proof of funds if necessary.

Now is the time to finalize your housing plans. You may be able to rent or even buy in advance, but perhaps not. If not, find temporary housing to stay in after your arrival, so you have stability while you look for more permanent housing.

Spend some time getting familiar with health care in Canada Opens in a new window.. Some regions of Canada may have a waiting period for new immigrants to receive public healthcare. You may need to plan for private health insurance to cover your family before you’re eligible for public healthcare.

You may need a medical exam as well. Different rules apply to different groups, so it’s smart to refer to the Canadian government website on medical exam rules Opens in a new window.. 

If your move includes children, you need to start the process of enrolling them in Canadian schools Opens in a new window.. Most children go to public schools, which are free. However, some provinces have different requirements, including vaccinations, so make sure you research the province you’re moving to. 

If your move to Canada will require you to drive, it’s a good time to get prepared. Understand the rules around driving licenses, car insurance, and local driving laws. The government website is a great resource here Opens in a new window..

Uber and Lyft operate in Canada, and have great coverage in major metro areas. They may have less coverage — fewer drivers or none at all in very rural areas — so plan accordingly.

The six-month mark is an important milestone in your plan to move to Canada. It’s a time for detailed planning and action. It’s a lot to think about.

Luckily the government provides very comprehensive lists of resources to help you stay on track Opens in a new window.. Fully explore all these resources to get the most comprehensive, trustworthy information directly.

Read carefully, compile and organize all your important documents, plan for housing, transportation and education.

This probably feels like a lot to think about and manage, and that’s OK. Remember, the effort you’re putting in now will make your transition smoother and set you up for a successful new life!