The

destination
guides

CANADA
Destination guides | 2013 edition | expat-blog.com
 Contents

Editorial p3

Expat-blog p4

Canada p5

Formalities p6

Working in Canada p8

Labor market p 12

Study in Canada p 15

Accommodation p 17

Health care p 19

Banking p 20

Tax system p 22

Driving in Canada p 24

Moving to Canada p 26

Practical life p 28

Appendix A, B & C p 30

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Destination guides by expat-blog.com
Editorial
Canada welcomes a lot of immigrants
each year: would you like to be one
of them?

With an area of more than 9 million

km2, Canada is the second largest
country in the world. Bilingual and
multicultural, the country offers many
opportunities. Canada is indeed one
of the most popular destinations
among expats: the government imple-
mented numerous programs to keep
attracting foreigners.

Formalities, job search, accommo-

dation…You will have to face a lot of
new challenges, to adapt to a new
environment, to promote your skills, to
understand social codes.

The Expat blog guide aims at providing

you with concrete and useful infor-
mation to manage successfully your
expat project in Canada for you and
your family.

Enjoy the reading and welcome to

Canada!

A project held by Expat blog Limited

17 Vishnu Kchetra Street - Port Louis Mauritius
Written and researched by The Expat blog Team
Design and Graphics by www.bigbenprod.com
Photo credits Benjamin Malassingne and iStock ®
Warning and other legal notices p36

3
CANADA
expat-blog Expat-blog.com is designed for
people living or wishing to live the
expatriate adventure at the interna-
tional level.
> Discover
Being a true multilingual communica-
> Share tion platform, its mission is to share
> Exchange a pragmatic vision of life abroad,
through forums, directories, blogs of
expats, a social network setting and
downloadable expatriation guides.
Everyone can participate and share
his own experience.

A website by expatriates, for expa-

triates, with a constantly growing
active community: Expat Blog is the
most all-around expatriate network on
the world wide web.

4
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
 Canada are the residences of the governor.
The federal parliamentary system in
Canada has a democratic tradition
With an area of 9,984,670 km², Canada inherited from the British democracy
is the second largest country in the of the sixteenth century. The legisla-
world. Composed of ten provinces tive branch consists of the Parliament,
and three territories, it extends from with the Governor General represen-
East to West from the Atlantic Ocean ting the Queen, the Senate and the
to the Pacific Ocean, and North to House of Commons.
the Arctic Ocean, sharing a common
Around 35 million people visit Canada
border with the United States.
every year. More than 90,000 foreign
The capital of Canada is Ottawa. workers come here to work tempora-
Among the different provinces and rily and more than 130,000 students
territories listed, we can name come to study as well as to learn
Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, English and French.
Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba or
Saskatchewan (see Appendix C).
According to statistics from the Key figures:
World Bank, its population stood to Area: 9 984 670 km2
34,482,779 inhabitants in 2011.
Population: 34,482,779 inhabi-
Canada is considered as one of the tants (2011)
world’s richest nations. It is also a
Capital: Ottawa
multicultural and bilingual nation,
English and French being the two Languages: English, French
official languages.
Currency: Canadian Dollar/ CAD$
Canada is a constitutional monarchy Regime: Federal parliamentary
with a parliamentary system which democracy
recognizes Queen Elizabeth II’s
coronation since February 6, 1952. Prime minister: Stephen Harper
The Governor General of Canada
is appointed by the Queen on the
advice of the Prime Minister, but
has no real power. Rideau Hall in
Ottawa, and the Citadelle of Quebec

5
CANADA
Formalities or work permit must apply in person
and give their fingerprints and a photo-
graphy. You will find a list of these
> Going to Canada countries on Appendix A. Data collec-
tion will be mandatory for all those
> Passport, visa? coming from countries or territories
mentioned and who apply for temporary
residence as from December 2013.
To settle in Canada, you should first
determine which immigration program
suits you best by visiting the Citizenship
and Immigration Canada website. You Useful link:
can then apply either as a tourist, as a
Citizenship and Immigration
student, or as a temporary worker. You
Canada (CIC) – Biometric
also need to consult the list of countries
Information Screening http://
and territories whose members are
www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biome-
authorized in Canada without a visa.
trics.asp
To immigrate to Canada permanently,
you should seek information before you
choose one of the several programs:
Visa
• Skilled Workers and Professionals You can go to Canada as a tourist, as
• Federal Skilled Trades program parents or grandparents to visit your
children or grandchildren, for business,
• Skilled workers (Quebec)
and also through Canada without
• Canadian Experience Class visiting. You might need a visitor visa
• Investors, entrepreneurs and if you are moving to Canada for a
self-employed short stay. Moreover, if you are living
• Sponsor a family member in Canada with a study or work permit,
you can apply for a visitor visa which
• Provincial Nominee
will allow you to leave and come back
• Caregivers living afterwards.
• Refugees
As from 2013, people from 29 countries
and one territory applying for a
temporary resident visa, study permit

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Destination guides by expat-blog.com
To visit your children or grandchil-
dren in Canada, you have to obtain a english/visit/apply-who.asp
Super Visa by applying for a temporary
Super Visa http://www.cic.gc.ca/
resident visa. This will allow you to stay
english/visit/supervisa.asp
in Canada for up to two years.
Business Visa http://www.cic.
To be eligible for a business visa, gc.ca/english/visit/business-who.
you must produce your identifica- asp
tion documents, prove that you do not
intend to stay in Canada for more than
six months and that you will not engage
in any profession during your stay. You
must also prove that your business is
located outside the country, as well as
your source of income.

To extend your stay in the country, you

must apply at least 30 days before your
status expires. It is strongly advised to
have specific documents in hand when
you enter Canada.

Useful links:
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada – Determine your eligi-
bility to immigrate http://www.cic.
gc.ca/english/immigrate/eligibility.
asp
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada – Determine if you
need a visa http://www.cic.gc.ca/
english/visit/visas.asp
Visitor Visa http://www.cic.gc.ca/

7
CANADA
 Before applying for a work permit, you
Working in need to check if you qualify for it. You
should apply for a work permit outside

Canada of Canada. But you can also submit

your application when you enter
the country or even when you are
> Do I need a visa? already in Canada. However, keep in
mind that you have to meet the same
> What are the requirements.
procedures? Requirements and processing time for
your application depend on the kind of
To work in Canada, your employer work you wish to do in Canada, and
might be required to provide a also if your family members want to
Labor Market Opinion (LMO) from work in the country. If you are entitled
the Human Resources and Skills to work in Canada, members of your
Development Canada (HRSDC). The family may also benefit of the same
LMO confirms that there isn’t any terms as those on the license issued.
Canadian nor permanent resident However, your eligibility depends on
available and that the employer can the place from which you submit your
fill a particular position with a foreign application.
worker. For some kinds of jobs, a LMO
is not necessary. A temporary resident You will have to convince the officer
visa may also be required. that you will leave Canada when your
employment contract comes to an
end. You must also prove that you
Work permit have enough money to meet your
A work permit is not an immigration needs and those of your family during
document: it’s temporary but can be your stay in the country. You need to
extended if you made your application show respect for the law, prove that
in Canada. You must qualify under an you do not represent a threat for the
immigration category, such as skilled country and have no criminal record.
workers. Resident caregivers meeting You can be requested to submit a
certain requirements can apply to stay police certificate. You must be in
in Canada permanently. Your spouse good health and you may be asked
or partner and dependent children can to undergo a medical examination if
apply to come to Canada with you. necessary.

8
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
You must not intend to get employed government in order to further faci-
by an ineligible employer. You should litate travel between the signatory
also not have worked in Canada for countries, while making the process
four years since April 1st 2011. On your simpler.
arrival, you may have to provide any
additional documentation required by Foreign students as well as Canadian
the immigration agent, to determine students wishing to undertake part
your eligibility to stay in the country. of their university studies in another
institution, and also those who want
to participate in the Student Guide
Get a new temporary Program can benefit from the program.
resident visa Some of the participating countries are
To be able to go back to Canada after Australia, France, Belgium, Ireland,
your visa expires, you must apply for Italy, United Kingdom, Germany,
a new temporary resident visa before Japan, Spain and Netherlands among
your departure if you are already others.
in Canada under a valid temporary
The WHV is a temporary visa enabling
resident status, a study permit or
students aged 18 to 35 years to work
a valid work permit. If you are a
on the Canadian territory. This visa is
temporary resident lawfully admitted
part of the International Experience
to Canada and you have a residential
Canada program (IEC) which allows
address in Canada, or if your current
students to gain work experience in
temporary resident status is still valid
Canada. You do not need a job to
and your current visa has expired or
qualify for this program. However, the
was only valid for one entry, you must
program is limited in some countries
obtain a new temporary resident visa
to people under 30. You must wait
to be able to enter again the country.
until the opening of the visa program
by the Canadian government, usually
Working Holiday Visa in late November in order to apply for
If you want to acquire working expe- the visa.
rience in Canada, you can apply for The processing fees for work permits
a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). This are CAD 150. The length of validity
will allow you to work for any employer of the permit will vary according to
in any Canadian province. It is an your country of citizenship. Make sure
agreement on youth mobility signed you have a valid passport when you
by many countries with the Canadian apply for the visa. You must also have

9
CANADA
 proof of funds for a minimum amount determine whether you are authorized
of 2,100 euros issued by your bank. to own and exploit a business in the
This will help you prove that you have country. You should also know to what
sufficient funds to stay in Canada and extent your skills and qualifications
cater for your daily needs. You should will be recognized in Canada and
consider updating your resume and what are the regulations regarding
attach it to your application, as well as your industry. If your field is regulated,
a letter to justify your stay in Canada. you might need to obtain a license or
a certification.
You will also need to subscribe to a
health and repatriation insurance for If you already own a business in your
the length of your stay. You will have home country, you can still check with
to provide proof of insurance to the the various government agencies
immigration officer upon your arrival providing programs and services
in Canada. to support entrepreneurs. To be an
entrepreneur in Canada you should
familiarize yourself with the rules and
Useful links: laws established by the Canadian
Citizenship and Immigration government and prepare yourself for
Canada – Determine if you coming challenges. There are rules
need a visa http://www.cic.gc.ca/ and laws established by the federal
english/work/apply-who.asp and provincial governments such as
business licenses, regulations related
Citizenship and Immigration
to health and safety, environment and
Canada – Apply for a work
protection of your employees, as well
permit http://www.cic.gc.ca/
as standards for wages and working
english/work/permit.asp
conditions. Choose the type of
International Experience Canada structure you want for your business
– Apply for a WHV http://www. and register it with the provin-
international.gc.ca/experience/ cial authorities such as the Canada
index.aspx Revenue Agency.

Developing a business plan will even-

tually contribute to the success of your
Setting up a business business. This will allow you to specify
If you wish to start a business in your business activities, discover the
Canada as an expat, you must current market, start planning your
activities, explain your business

10
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
operations, identify potential risks, as and designate capital funds venture
well as to provide the annual financial and providential investors. Thus,
estimates of your business. You can expat entrepreneurs wishing to start
seek legal advice before you get a business in Canada can obtain
started. You are advised to subscribe permanent resident status with
to a commercial insurance in order the support of Canadian investors
to protect your business against any involved.
type of incident such as fire or theft.

Useful link:
Going to the US
Canada Revenue Agency –
tomorrow and still
Information on business and tax packing?
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/
menu-eng.html

Investing in Canada
The Canadian government launched Hurry up! the Expat-
the visa program for starting a blog.com forum!
business in Canada in April 2013. It is
a world premiere which offers sought-
after entrepreneurs permanent
residency as well as access to a
wide range of partners. Canada is
becoming a popular destination for
entrepreneurs who can contribute to
the Canadian economy and propel it
forward in the global economy.

The program has been established

by the CIC with the collaboration of
Canada’s Venture Capital, Private
Equity Association (CVCA) and the
National Angel Capital Organization
(NACO). Its objective is to identify

11
CANADA
 criteria of the position. You can subse-
Labor quently contact the Canadian Social
Services to help you find a job. You

market might as well check the classified ads

in newspapers or websites specia-
lized in job offers. You should master
> How to find a job? job interviews techniques, improve
your language skills in English and
French from the outset. To be able to
work in Canada, a Social Insurance
You should start gathering information Number (SIN) is compulsory.
on the Canadian labor market before
your arrival. Your diploma and skills
have to be recognized in the region. Good to know:
Check if your occupation exists in The labour market is based on several
Canada, if it is regulated and what are industries such as forestry economy,
the criteria to be able to work in your mining, construction, telecommunica-
field in the province of your choice. tions, technologies as well as tourism
and fisheries. The Canadian govern-
Find a job ment wants to ensure job creation in
order to attract more immigrants.
Canada offers a wide variety of jobs
and industries. Although job search Toronto is one of the most popular
can take a lot of time and effort, choices for expats. The city offers a
the country is a popular choice for wide variety of jobs and industries.
expats around the world because of Several sectors, including industry,
the numerous opportunities offered. information technology, finance,
Several sectors, including industry, tourism and culture are experiencing
information technology, finance, strong growth. Moreover, Toronto has
tourism and culture are experiencing developed a mentoring program for
strong growth. immigrant professionals in collabo-
ration with the CASIP (Consortium
Start preparing your resume if you of Agencies Serving Internationally
do not already have one or update Trained Professionals); it focuses on
it. Many Canadian companies do not jobs such as engineering, accoun-
consider candidates who do not send ting, finance, purchasing, human
their CV along with their application. resources and facilities management.
Write a letter based on the selection

12
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
In Calgary, you can also find dedicated
programs such as Immigrant Services Saskatchewan Immigrants
Calgary which provides mentoring Nominees Program – SINP http://
services to expats, especially for www.saskimmigrationcanada.ca/
professional women. The agency has sinp
a professional assessment system
and a language center helping immi-
grants with workshops on career
planning, strategies for job search, Work as a student
writing a resume, etc. MAPLE 2.0 You can work on the campus as an
is another national project bringing international student without permit
together employers and professio- while studying under certain condi-
nals trained to create more employ- tions: being enrolled as full-time
ment opportunities for immigrants in student in a public or private post-
the region. secondary educational institution (the
institution should receive at least 50%
The Saskatchewan Immigrants of its funding from government grants
Nominees Program (SINP)  enables or be authorized by provincial statutes
you to apply to permanent job offers to confer degrees) and having a valid
through a selection process. student permit.

To be able to work off campus, you

must be registered as a full-time
Useful links: student in a participating post-secon-
dary institution funded by the govern-
Hire immigrants – Find a job in
ment or an eligible private school. You
Canada http://www.embaucheim-
should also have received your work
migrants.ca/
permit. Thus, you should not work
Consortium of Agencies more than 20 hours per week during
Serving Internationally Trained regular academic sessions. During
Professionals – CASIP http:// holidays, you are allowed to work full
www.casip.ca/ time.
Immigrant Services Calgary
http://www.immigrantservices-
calgary.ca/how-can-we-help/
career-education-planning

13
CANADA
 If you are 18 to 35 years old and if your
country has signed an agreement with
Canada, you may also have the oppor- Proud of your San
tunity to work in the country through Francisco’s Golden
the International Experience Canada
program. Working in Canada will help
Gate Bridge picture?
you gain work experience. It will also
enable you to develop a network of Add it up to the album
business contacts for the future, and Expat-blog.com!
help you to settle in Canada after
graduation. Some programs offer
work permits for international students
and their spouses.

Useful link:
Education in Canada – Study
and work in Canada http://www.
educationau-incanada.ca/

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Destination guides by expat-blog.com
 you are allowed to stay in Canada.
Studying You also need to prove that you have
been accepted by an educational

in Canada institution in Canada and that you

have enough money to pay your for
your tuitions, to meet your daily needs
> How to choose a and the ones of your dependents. You
university? may also be asked to prove that you
do not represent a risk to Canada
and undergo a medical examination.
> How to proceed? You must produce all the necessary
documents to the visa officer who will
review your application.
Before going to study in Canada, you Make sure your forms are properly
must apply for a study visa. This permit filled out, including the questionnaire
is issued by an immigration officer and for the visa application. You must
allows you, after being admitted to the submit two passport-size photographs
country, to stay to attend a profes- of yourself and of each accompanying
sional or academic general training person, a valid passport for each
program. You will need it if you intend applicant, a copy of the personal infor-
to enroll in a university, college or mation page of your current passport,
other approved educational institution. plus the original and a photocopy
of your letter of acceptance from
If you come from a country or territory
a Canadian educational institution
whose citizens require a temporary
where you registered establishment. If
resident visa to enter Canada, you
you plan to study in Quebec, you will
will receive it at the same time as the
need a Quebec Selection Certificate
study permit. However, you will not
(CSQ).
need a permit if your program lasts
less than six months. Note that you In addition, you must produce proof
must first be accepted as a student of sufficient funds to cover all your
before applying for a license. expenses during your first year of
study, even if you already have paid
To be eligible to receive a study
for the tuitions. You will be required
permit, you must convince the visa
to submit a copy of your bank state-
officer that you will leave Canada at
ments for the last three months.
the end of the period during which

15
CANADA
 Choosing a university Useful information
You should start the procedures at Foreign students holding Canadian
least eight months before departure. professional titles and a Canadian
Canadian universities generally work experience may apply for
process the requests from November permanent residency without having
to April. Send your complete file to to leave Canada.
each university you wish to apply.

Fees may vary according to the Useful links:

different universities. To be eligible,
Citizenship and Immigration
you must hold a bachelor’s degree
Canada – Studying http://www.
or any other equivalent degree.
cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp
Some universities in Canada may
ask you to prove your level of English Citizenship and Immigration
through formal tests such as IELTS Canada – Find out if you need a
(International English Language visa http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/
Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of visit/visas.asp
English as a Foreign Language).

Canadian universities are funded

by the national government, but the
programs offered are managed inde-
pendently by the various provinces
and territories. Diplomas awarded by 875 000 members
these universities are modeled on
those of the American system, making
already registered!
them internationally recognized and
thus facilitating equivalence in further Welcome,
studies. newcomers!
The most famous Canadian univer-
sities are the University of Toronto,
the University of British Colombia, the
University of Alberta, Queen’s University,
the University of Waterloo, McMaster
University, the University of Western
Ontario, or the University of Calgary.

16
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
 you a bank loan or not. If you prefer
Accommo- to rent, this history will help the owner
determine if you are eligible to fulfill

dation your obligations for renting. For more

information, please visit the website
of the Financial Consumer Agency of
> How to find housing in Canada.
Canada?
Regulations
If you want to settle in Canada, you The owner may ask you to pay a
should first determine whether you security deposit to rent the unit you
want to buy a house or an apartment, have chosen. This is an amount the
or simply rent a place to live. You will owner will keep in case you damage
find houses and apartments for rent in the premises. This amount is usually
the classifieds section of local news- equal to one month’s rent. It will be
papers. You can also visit websites totally refunded if you do not cause
offering rental services. any damage to the premises until
your departure. However, in certain
In Canada, housing can be rented Canadian provinces, the law prohibits
from the first day of the month, but landlords from asking for a security
some are also available from the 15th deposit. Contact your provincial or
of the month. You can find accommo- territorial government if you want to
dation at any time of the year. You must know about the laws in force in the
however reserve your moving truck or area you choose to live in. Note that
professional movers in advance. you can also subscribe to a housing
insurance to protect your home.
To rent a house you must usually
sign a one-year lease which is a legal
binding contract between you and the Buying a house or an
owner. However, make sure you have apartment
read and understood the contract
To buy a house or a flat, it is best to
before signing it.
contact a real estate agent. You can
After having made your decision, you also check the classifieds or real
will need to build a good credit history estate agencies websites. Remember
in Canada. Canadian banks will rely that buying a house can be quite
on it to determine if they will grant expensive because you have to deal

17
CANADA
 with many costs, namely those of the in Toronto will cost at least CAD 850
real estate agent, lawyer or notary, as monthly. If you are looking for housing
well as other expenses related to the closer to the city center, you will need
purchase of the house. You must, of between CAD 500 and 1,500. If you
course, take into account the annual opt for a luxury apartment, rental price
property tax, home insurance, regis- can go up to several thousand dollars
tration fees, various taxes associated monthly.
with the purchase of a house, as well
as maintenance, heating services,
electricity, water and sewerage. Useful links:
You can also benefit from financial National Post: http://classifieds.
aids for the purchase of a house in nationalpost.com/
Canada. For more information, you
can consult the Canada Revenue Classified Extra: www.classifiedextra.ca
Agency website.
View It: www.viewit.ca
Prices
Craiglist http://calgary.
The province of Alberta offers a variety en.craigslist.ca/hhh/
of affordable housing compared to
other major Canadian cities. The Vancouver Sun http://classifieds.
average price of a house in Calgary vancouversun.com/
is between 38% and 48% lower than
in other major cities representing an
Gabino Home http://canada.gabi-
average of CAD 222,860. To rent an
nohome.com/en/rent+flat/toronto
apartment in Calgary, the average
price was CAD 1,113 per month in
Canada Revenue Agency
2012.
website – Get help to buy a
In Vancouver, property costs vary house http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/
between CAD 30,000 and 60,000. menu-eng.html
Rental can vary between CAD 900
and 1,500 monthly. To rent a 4 ½
apartment, for example, you need an
average of CAD 1,169 per month.

Renting an apartment with a bedroom

18
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
 need to take a temporary private
Health care health insurance.

On arrival, do not delay to register to

> Health care system public health insurance. You can get
the application documents from a
> Do I need a doctor, hospital, pharmacy or from a
support organization for immigrants.
health-insurance? You can also get the form on the
website of the Ministry of Health.

Once in Canada, you may need You must have in your posses-
to undergo a medical examination sion your identity documents such
similar to the one you did before as your birth certificate, passport or
becoming a Canadian resident. This permanent resident card when you
will help in monitoring people who make your request. The insurance
may suffer from a non-active infec- card mentions your personal data
tious disease. You should contact the such as your name, address, date
health authorities of the province you of birth and gender. You must have
live in within 30 days following your it with you when you show up in a
arrival. You will also need to subscribe hospital or clinic. In some provinces,
to a health insurance like all Canadian only adults receive a health insurance
citizens. This system aims at making card on which are registered data for
sure that all residents of the country each family member while in others,
have access to health care provided each family member receives its own
by doctors and hospitals. health insurance card.

The health program consists of

Useful information
several provincial and territorial health
care plans with common characteris- Make sure you always have your card
tics. Health insurance will avoid you with you. Do not to lend it to anyone
paying directly most health services. and do not lose it. You could lose the
To qualify, you just have to show benefits it gives you if you lend it to
your insurance card to the hospital someone else. Criminal charges may
or medical clinic. However, health also be brought against you and you
insurance differs from one province can be expelled from Canada. If you
to another and cannot be applied in lose it, you may be required to pay a
some of them. In this case, you may replacement fee.

19
CANADA
 Private health insurance
You may have to wait some time
Banking
before receiving your health insurance
card. You should then consider subs- > How to open a bank
cribing to a temporary private health account?
insurance in the first days following
your arrival in Canada.
To open a bank account in Canada,
Private health insurance applies to
you must decide first where you want
services such as dental care, private
to open your account and compare
rooms in hospitals, drugs and glasses
the different options available before
which are not covered by public plan.
making a decision. Major Canadian
Some employers may offer you the
banks offer several types of accounts
opportunity to subscribe to health
and services. There are also minor
insurance. Learn more about the
banks offering reduced services and
criteria and conditions before giving
facilities.
your consent.
Talk with a representative to determine
which type of account best suits your
needs. Seek information about the
Useful link: administrative costs although opening
Citizenship and Immigration an account is free of charge. You will
Canada – Information about also have to tell the bank where you
health care http://www.cic.gc.ca/ used to carry out your banking tran-
english/newcomers/after-health. sactions in the past and answer
asp questions related to your credit history
in the country where you lived before
your move.

You will have to produce your iden-

tification documents such as your
passport, social insurance or
permanent resident card number,
as well as documents certifying your
address, such as a driver’s license
or phone bill. If you do not have

20
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
these documents, you will need to Rights and
be accompanied by someone who
can confirm your identity to the bank.
responsibilities
However, the bank reserves the right The Financial Consumer Agency
to confirm whether the person is of Canada provides information on
eligible to identify you. financial products and services and
informs consumers about their rights
and responsibilities related to their
banking transactions. Note that a bank
Useful links: cannot deny you the right to open an
Bank of Canada account, even if you are unemployed,
www.bankofcanada.ca if you are bankrupt, or if you do not put
money in the account. However, the
Business Development Bank of bank may ask you to make a deposit if
Canada www.bdc.ca you order for checks.

If you are working or studying in

Farm Credit Canada www.fcc-fac.ca
Canada, you can ask if there is a
special partnership between your
Royal Bank of Canada
employer or university so that your
www.rbcroyalbank.com
banking fees be minimized.
Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce www.cibc.com
Credit card
It may be difficult for newcomers to
Scotiabank www.scotiabank.com obtain a credit card in Canada. This is
because you do not yet have a credit
National Bank of Canada history in the country. In case of diffi-
www.nbc.ca culty, you can try to ask your employer
to vouch for your easy access to
Laurentian Bank of Canada credit.
www.banquelaurentienne.ca
Interest rates, authorization limits, as
well as terms of payment and annual
fees vary according to different
institutions.

21
CANADA
 If you are a newcomer, you must use
Tax system the general tax and benefit package of
the province or territory of residence
on December 31st of the taxation year.
> Do I have to pay tax? Note that rates and tax credits vary
from one province to another. This
> What are the criteria? is why you must use the appropriate
form. The deadline for submitting
your tax return is April 30th of the year
Residents are taxed on the basis of following the tax year. If you or your
their residence, not citizenship. Thus, spouse have a business in Canada,
a permanent resident of Canada can you have until June 15th of the year
apply for Canadian citizenship and following the tax year.
a Canadian passport three years
after his arrival. They are taxed on You must file a tax return if you have
their income from all over the world, tax to pay or if you want to request a
but offshore trusts are allowed for refund. You may be entitled to certain
new permanent residents. Canadian credits or payments even if you do not
citizens who do not reside in Canada have to notify income or pay taxes.
do not pay tax on their worldwide To receive credit or payment for the
income while non-residents pay GST/HST (Goods and Services Tax/
tax only on some Canadian-source Harmonized Sales Tax) or payments
income and capital gains. In addition, from the Canadian Child Tax Benefit
property rights or inheritance rights or benefits and credits granted under
are nonexistent. certain related provincial or territorial
programs, you must fill a tax return.
Most Canadian residents must fill
in a tax return for the tax year. The
Canadian government collects taxes Important note:
on behalf of all provinces except
You only pay tax on your income from
Quebec. This allows Canadian
Canadian sources for the period when
residents to enjoy the various
you were not a resident of Canada.
programs such as social assistance
When you become a resident of the
for people in need, employment
country, you must indicate in your
insurance for laid-off employees, as
Canadian tax return income from
well as compensation for victims of
all sources that you gain for tax
accidents.
purposes. You may have paid more

22
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
tax than you should. You will then be
entitled to a refund and if you have not
paid enough, you will be required to No friends in your
pay the difference. new country?

The social network

Useful links: Expat-blog.com !
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada – Information on income
tax http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/
newcomers/after-money-income.
asp

Canada Revenue Agency –

Information about tax http://www.
cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/nnrsdnts/ndvdls/
nwcmr-eng.html

23
CANADA
 have the registration certificate of the
Driving in vehicle, as well as proof of insurance
for your vehicle.

Canada Each province and territory of Canada

has its own laws and regulations
regarding traffic and driver’s license.
> Is my driver’s license Some of them have signed a recipro-
valid in Canada? city agreement with other countries
to ensure the recognition of certain
foreign driver’s licenses.
> Do I need an interna-
tional driver’s license? In Canada you will drive on the right
side of the road. To drive safely, you
must be aware of all signs and traffic
regulations. You should check with
To drive a car in Canada you do not the Department of Transport in the
need an international license. You province you live in.
simply need a valid driver’s license.
There are two conditions for your To obtain a driver’s license, you
driver’s license to be accepted. should consult the agency or organi-
Firstly, it must use the Latin alphabet sation responsible for issuing driver’s
and secondly, it must have been licenses in your province. Regulations
obtained for more than a year. If you related to the issue of a driver’s license
are from Europe, you will need a B generally vary in different provinces
type driving license and if you come and territories. A driver’s license may
from Switzerland, you must hold a be granted in stages in some of these
pink license, which is the only one regions. Different limits can thus be
valid. This will allow you to rent a car, set for drivers.
and even buy a second hand car in
Canada. You can use your foreign license
during the first month succeeding your
If you want to bring an international arrival in Canada. To keep your driving
driver’s license, you should also privileges, you will ultimately take a
have your national driver’s license. driving test consisting of a theore-
You have the legal obligation to have tical and a practical component. Thus,
your driving license in your posses- you need to learn the Canadian traffic
sion when you drive. You must also rules. Note that the cost of obtaining

24
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
this license may depend on where you
live and the content of your file. Looking for real-life
and true stories?
Practical advice
You should also take driving lessons Check the
prior to your exam even if you already blogs directory
know how to drive. Some private
Expat-blog.com !
companies offer paying driving
lessons. You can consult the yellow
pages of your phone directory to
contact Canadian driving schools.
Once you have obtained your driver’s
license you will be able to drive
anywhere in the country. However,
your license must be renewed
regularly. A recent picture of you will
also be included.

Useful link:
Citizenship and Immigration
Canada – Information about
driver’s license http://www.cic.
gc.ca/english/newcomers/after-
transportation-driving.asp

25
CANADA
 Moving to Take time to pack your stuff carefully
before loading. Do not take fragile

Canada items with you. Check your belon-

gings before loading them on the
vehicle, especially if you have hired
an international mover. You will obtain
> What can I bring a list of items you can bring to Canada
with me? when you move on the Canada Border
Services Agency website.

Prepare yourself mentally and physi- Customs

cally to start a new life. After identifying
the location and type of life that suits On arrival in Canada, you will be
you best, you need to plan your move. directed to the customs control of
You should get familiarized to Canada the airport. You will have to produce
and its lifestyle to know what you can your passport to the officer, as well
take with you when you move. Gather as a list of your belongings and the
information first on what is allowed in customs declaration form you got in
the country before undertaking the the airplane. If you have only one or
procedures and estimate the volume two bags of clothes, a camera and
of your belongings in order to get an a laptop and you do not intend to
idea of the cost of moving. bring other goods, you do not have to
provide this list.
Make a list of your priorities before
moving. Do not take things that you On your first visit in Canada, you can
will not need immediately and get import free of duty your personal and
rid of those you will not use much in household goods such as furniture,
Canada. You will then have to decide dishes, silverware and appliances.
how you will carry your belongings to However, it is better to buy them once
Canada, either by doing it on your own in the country. You also agree to not
or by hiring an international mover. allow a resident of Canada to use your
The quantity and weight of luggage personal belongings, to sell or throw
you can carry by plane and boat is them away, to take them back with
limited. If you are moving to Canada you when you leave Canada, and to
from the United States you can rent a pay a deposit refundable at customs
small van you could drive.

26
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
if necessary. If you are a temporary
resident in Canada, you may be
required to pay 5% of the entire value Serial-Expat?
of your belongings.

Importing a vehicle Write an

If you wish to import a vehicle, a car, article in the
a van or a truck, you must check if online guides
it meets the safety standards and Expat-blog.com !
emissions as defined by Transport
Canada. The provincial authorities
may ask you to present a safety certi-
ficate for vehicle registration.

Useful links:
Canada Border Services Agency
– List of items you can bring to
Canada http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/
menu-eng.html

Transport Canada website –

Importing a vehicle http://www.
tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehi-
cles-importation-index-443.htm

27
CANADA
 Practical Useful links:
life Geryhound - www.greyhound.ca

> Transports, Phones and Intercar - www.intercar.qc.ca

Internet, Leisure Air Canada - www.aircanada.com

Westjet - www.westjet.com

Transports Via Rail - www.viarail.ca

In Canada, there are several ways
to travel from one region to another.
To travel in urban areas, you can opt Many people prefer to rent a car to go
for subway, bus, taxi, or bike, while to around Canada. There are car rental
move out of town, which means longer companies almost everywhere in the
distances, you may travel by plane, by major cities and airports. Other people
train or by bus. Make sure you choose prefer carpooling rather than renting a
the safest means, comparing the car. Many companies offer this kind
price beforehand. Canada has a fairly of service in Canada. You can simply
extensive national bus line. There are register with one of these companies,
many connections to Canadian and specifying the place where you want
US destinations, as well as lines at to go, and wait to be notified when
national and regional level. Taking the there is another person willing to
bus may be faster than the train. You make the same trip.
can travel long distances at very affor-
dable rates.

Useful links:
Auto Escape
www.autoescape.co.uk

Kangaride
https://www.kangaride.com/

28
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
Phones
Each of the ten provinces in Canada
Internet
has its own communication regula- You can choose between telephone
tions and services. There is no national line, ADSL and cable. However, all
server in Canada. Several providers these options are not available in all
offer communication services such as regions. If you have a laptop, you
fixed phone lines, international calls, can access Wi-Fi against payment in
Internet, as well as mobile telephony several institutions such as airports,
and cable TV. In general, you will have hotels and cafes. Telephone access
to pay an amount ranging between to the Internet can cost CAD 20 a
CAD 30 and CAD 45 for basic local month. As for ADSL, the number
telephone service. This entitles you of options and packages available
to unlimited local calls in your area vary according to the different cities.
code. You may be required to pay a In general, services in the range of
security deposit when you apply. The 128kbps and 256kbps cost around
price of the amount paid will be given CAD 30 per month while those around
according to the amount you spend 10mbps cost an average of CAD 55
on telephone services. This money is per month.
returned to you with an interest rate in
effect after twelve months.
Leisure
To escape the routine of restaurants,
cinema and bistro, you can choose
Useful links: from numerous attractions such as
zoos, theme parks, national and
Bell Canada www.bell.ca
provincial parks, waterfalls and rivers
and mountain ranges.
Rogers (Ontario, Quebec, New
Brunswick, Newfoundland) There are some forty national parks
www.rogers.com across the country, as well as provin-
cial parks specially designed to
Virgin Mobile (Ontario) protect ecosystems. Visitors can
www.virginmobile.ca discover various wonders of nature.
You will find shelters with naturalists
Videotron (Quebec) to guide you through your walk, as
www.videotron.com well as camping facilities and picnic
areas.

29
CANADA
 Appendix A
> List of countries and territories whose citizens
must provide their biometric data

September 2013: December 2013:

Columbia Afghanistan
Haiti Bangladesh
Jamaica Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
October 2013: Egypt
Albania Iran
Algeria Iraq
Democratic Republic of Jordan
Congo Laos
Eritrea Lebanon
Libya Pakistan
Nigeria Sri Lanka
Saudi Arabia Syria
Somalia Vietnam
South Sudan Yemen
Sudan Palestinian Authority
Tunisia

30
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
 Appendix B
> List of countries from which a visa is required
to travel to Canada

A-B C-D G-H

Afghanistan Cambodia Gabon

Albania Cameroon Gambia
Algeria Cape Verde Georgia
Angola Central African Republic Ghana
Argentina Chad Granada
Armenia Chile Guatemala
Azerbaijan Columbia Guinea Republic
Bahrain Comoros Guinea-Bissau
Bangladesh Congo Guyana
Belarus Costa Rica
Belize Cuba
Benin Czech Republic
Bhutan Djibouti
Bolivia Dominican Republic
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana E-F
Brazil
Bulgaria Egypt
Burkina Faso Ecuador
Burundi Eritrea
Ethiopia
Equatorial Guinea
Fiji

31
CANADA
 H-K Malawi Poland (only holders of
Maldives non-biometric passport)
Haiti Mali Qatar
Honduras Morocco
India Marshall (Islands) R-S
Indonesia Mauritius (Island)
Iran Mauritania Republic of Moldova
Iraq Mexico Romania
Israel (only Israeli Micronesia, United Russia
citizens Holders of a States Rwanda
valid travel document, In Mongolia St. Lucia
lieu of National Passport) Montenegro Saint Vincent and the
Ivory Coast Mozambique Grenadines (St. Vincent)
Jamaica Myanmar Salvador
Jordan Sao Tome and Principe
Kazakhstan N-Q Saudi Arabia, United
Kenya Senegal
Kyrgyzstan Namibia Serbia
Kiribati Nauru Seychelles (Islands)
Kosovo Nepal Sierra Leone
Kuwait Nicaragua Somalia
Niger South Africa
L-M Nigeria Sri Lanka
North Korea South Sudan
Laos Oman Sudan
Lesotho Pakistan Suriname
Lebanon Palau Swaziland
Liberia Palestinian, Authority Syria
Libya Panama
Lithuania (only holders of Paraguay
non-biometric passport) People’s Republic of
Macao (R.A.S.) China
Macedonia Peru
Madagascar Philippines
Malaysia

32
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
T-Z

Tajikistan
Taiwan (except holders of
ordinary passports issued
by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in Taiwan that
contains a personal identifi-
cation number)
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
UAE
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

33
CANADA
 Appendix C
> Map of the Canada’s provinces
and territories with their Capital

34
Destination guides by expat-blog.com
 35
CANADA
 The destination
guides
> Find all the destination guides on
www.expat-blog.com Section Download
> The next destination guides:

Thailand

Nouvelle Zélande
England

Australia

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