Send Money from Canada

New to Canada? Your first money steps

The order most newcomers work through: an ID number, a bank account, a credit history, then health coverage, credentials and local support. Each step links to the Government of Canada page it is based on. We do not sell any of these services.

1. 01

   Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

   A SIN is the 9-digit number you need to work in Canada or to access government programs and benefits.

   Apply online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. There is no fee. Permanent residents use their PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence; temporary residents use a work permit, or a study permit that shows authorization to work. Both also need a second ID showing legal name and date of birth.

   Apply for a SIN — Service Canada

2. 02

   Open a bank account

   Under federal rules a bank cannot refuse to open a personal account because you don't have a job, don't have money to deposit right away, or have been bankrupt.

   Bring original ID: either two documents — one showing your name and address, one showing your name and date of birth — or one document with your name and date of birth, confirmed by a customer in good standing at the bank or someone respected in your community. Newcomers may need to open the account in person.

   Your right to open a bank account — Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

3. 03

   Start a Canadian credit history

   Arriving with no Canadian credit history is normal. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada names a secured credit card as an option for newcomers with no credit history: you leave a security deposit, and the credit limit is usually equal to or higher than it.

   Payment history is the most important part of a credit score, so paying every bill on time matters more than anything else you do with the card.

   Choosing a credit card — FCAC · Improving your credit score — FCAC

4. 04

   Apply for your provincial health card

   Each province and territory runs its own health insurance plan, and you apply to the one where you live. The Government of Canada notes it may take up to 3 months for coverage to start, so apply early.

   Get a health card — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

5. 05

   Get your credentials recognized

   For a regulated profession or compulsory trade, your foreign credentials must be recognized by the regulatory body in your province or territory, and the process varies by occupation and province. Job Bank's tool tells you whether your job is regulated and who regulates it.

   An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization, such as World Education Services, is for immigration. It can help with a job search, but it does not guarantee a licence to practise a regulated profession.

   Credential recognition — IRCC · Foreign credential recognition tool — Job Bank · Educational credential assessment — IRCC

6. 06

   Use free settlement services

   The federal government funds settlement organizations that help with finding a job, getting licensed or certified, language training and everyday life. Permanent residents, including resettled refugees, and protected persons are among those eligible. Since April 2026, economic-class permanent residents can use these services for a limited time only.

   Find free newcomer services near you — IRCC

Rules checked against Government of Canada pages, October 2026. Eligibility and requirements change — confirm on the linked page before you rely on a step.