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Free Resources

Everything you need to navigate banking, taxes, credit, housing, and healthcare in Canada — curated and explained in plain language. No jargon, no guesswork.

Government & official links

Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your SIN is the first thing you need. Required to work, file taxes, and access any government benefit. Apply online — can take up to 5 business days.

Visit canada.ca

​Newcomers & the CRA — taxes & benefits

Canada Revenue Agency's guide for newcomers: when to file, how to get GST/HST credits, child benefits, and what your residency status means for taxes.

Visit CRA

IRCC — Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship

The main hub for all immigration matters: PR cards, permits, citizenship applications, and finding free newcomer settlement services near you.

Visit IRCC

Provincial health card — apply now

​Apply for your provincial health insurance as soon as you arrive. Coverage can take up to 3 months to kick in — get private insurance in the meantime.

Find your province

Free newcomer settlement services

Free government-funded services: language classes, employment help, housing support, and community connection. Find what's available in your city.

Visit canada.ca

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) & GST credit

If you have children under 18, you may be eligible for tax-free monthly payments. The GST/HST credit is also available to low-to-moderate income earners — apply early.

Learn more

CRA My Account — Your financial control panel

Check your TFSA room, track benefit payments, update your banking details, and manage everything tax-related in one place.

CRA My Account

TFSA contribution room — check before you contribute

Your room starts from the year you arrive in Canada, not 2009. Overcontributing triggers a 1% monthly penalty. Verify your exact room before your first contribution.

Check your room

Banking & credit in Canada

Best banks for newcomers — 2026 comparison

A regularly updated comparison of newcomer banking packages from Canada's major banks — fees, credit offers, and what to watch out for when the welcome offer expires.

Learn more

​TFSA, RRSP & RESP — registered accounts explained

Canada has powerful tax-sheltered savings accounts. Overcontributing to a TFSA is a common and costly mistake newcomers make. Understand the rules before you open one.

Visit Sunlife

Building credit from zero in Canada

​Your credit history from home doesn't transfer. Learn how to build a Canadian credit score from scratch — which cards to get first, and what affects your score.

Learn more

Sending money home — stop paying bank fees

Canadian banks charge 2.5–5% on top of the exchange rate for every international transfer. Services like Wise, Remitly, and OFX use the real mid-market rate with transparent fees. The difference adds up to hundreds of dollars a year.

Compare options

Taxes

Tax deductions newcomers can claim

Medical expenses, tuition, moving costs — there are deductions many newcomers miss in their first year. Tax season for 2025 income opens Feb 23, 2026. Deadline: April 30.

Learn more

​Foreign assets over $100K — T1135 form

If you have foreign investments, bank accounts, or rental properties worth over $100,000 CAD, you must disclose them. Missing this can result in significant penalties.

Visit CRA

Credits & benefits guide for all Canadians

A comprehensive breakdown of credits available to newcomers, employees, and families — including the Basic Personal Amount, Canada Workers Benefit, and more.

Learn more

Free tax clinics — get your return filed at no cost

If your income is modest and your tax situation is simple, community volunteers will file your return for free through the CRA's CVITP program. Available in person and virtually across Canada. Most clinics run March to April.

Find a clinic

Housing

Renting in Canada — what you need to know

How to find a rental, spot scams, understand your lease, and know your rights as a tenant. Rental laws vary by province — Ontario, BC, and Alberta have different rules.

Visit canada.ca

First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

The FHSA lets you save up to $40,000 tax-free toward your first home. Introduced in 2023, it's one of the most powerful tools for anyone planning to buy property in Canada.

Visit TD

​Mortgages for newcomers — no credit history needed

You can qualify for a mortgage even without a Canadian credit history. Minimum 5% down payment required. Both CMHC and private insurers have programs for newcomers.

Learn more

Canada rental market — current averages by city

National average rent sits around $2,100/month. Toronto and Vancouver are the most expensive — Calgary and Montreal significantly more affordable.

View CMHC data

Ready to stop researching and start doing?

The links and tips on this page will point you in the right direction. But knowing where to look and knowing what to do are two different things.

The kit puts it all together — the right order, the real numbers, and a clear system you can follow from day one.

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