After You Arrive

Welcome to Waterloo Region!   There are many things to do when you arrive and it can be overwhelming.  Here are a few things to get you started. 

Get Help

There are many organizations that help newcomers to Waterloo Region.  Some will help you fill out forms, find housing, and find a job.  Contact them to find out what services they offer.

Checklist: Things to do after you arrive

There are many Government and other forms that you need to complete during your first days in Waterloo Region.

1. Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN): The Government of Canada uses Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) to keep track of all Canadian workers. You must have a SIN to work in Canada.
2. Apply for a Health Card (OHIP): You must have a health card to show that you get healthcare services paid for by the government Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Apply for a health card as soon as you get to Ontario.  There is usually a three-month waiting period from the date you arrive.  You may also like to read about OHIP eligibility.
3. Consider buying private health insurance: The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) suggests that newcomers buy private health insurance while they wait for their Health Card. You should buy this insurance within 5 days of arriving in Ontario, or the insurance companies may not give you insurance.
4. Apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit:  If you have children under the age of 18, you may qualify for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB). The CCTB is a monthly, tax-free payment from the Government of Canada.  The GST Credit helps people with lower incomes.  For more information go to Welcome to Canada: What you should know or Settlement.Org.
5. Apply for an Ontario Driver’s Licence:  If you live in Ontario and want to drive, you must have an Ontario driver's licence. You may be able to use your foreign driver’s licence for a short time when you first get to Canada.The Newcomers Guide to Graduated Licensing and Getting an Ontario Driver's Licence will tell you how to get a driver's licence. 
6. Make a note of emergency and important phone numbers:  If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.  You can call this number to stop a crime, report a fire, save a life, or in any emergency situation when police, fire or ambulance assistance is needed immediately.  Call 9-1-1 only in an emergency.  For other important phone numbers see the Waterloo Region Basic Needs Guide or Settlement.org.

More Things to do when you arrive

• Find a place to live
• Open a bank account
• Find English classes for you and your family
• Find a job
• Find out how to register your children in school
• Find a family doctor, community health centre or urgent care clinic close to your home
• Find a public library close to your home
• Get maps of streets and bus routes
• Find out where to shop
• Join Ethnocultural & Religious Groups

For more information…

• First Days Guide – has information for your first 2 weeks in Ontario. It is offered in 24 languages including English.
• A Guide to Community Resources for Refugees, Immigrants and Other Newcomers to Kitchener-Waterloo has information for refugees, Immigrants and other newcomers to Kitchener-Waterloo.
• After You Arrive has information on getting a good start in Ontario.
• Welcome to Canada: What you should know has basic information about living in Canada and finding the help you need.
• canadianimmigrant.ca has information for new immigrants, including almost 100 tips by immigrants about “What to expect when you are immigrating” (on page 14 and 15).
• Canadian Newcomer Magazine has information for newcomers to Canada.
• Newcomers to Canada Day planner has many helpful tips.