Fanny SamaniegoBusiness Strategy & Financial ConsultantTax & CRA Specialist

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Newcomer Financial Checklist

A practical, finance-first roadmap for your first months in Canada — with due dates, notes, and autosave.

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Priority:

Overall progress

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Before arrival

Set the foundation so your first weeks are focused and calm.

Done	Task	Priority	Due date	Notes
	Digitize key documents (passports, degrees, reference letters, vaccinations) & back them up to a secure cloud folder
	Estimate first-month expenses & emergency cash buffer High Budget Calculator
	Book temporary housing for 2–4 weeks (flexible cancellation if possible)
	Prepare driving history/abstract from home country (may help with insurance and license exchange)

Digitize key documents (passports, degrees, reference letters, vaccinations) & back them up to a secure cloud folder

Priority

Due

Notes

Estimate first-month expenses & emergency cash buffer High

Budget Calculator

Priority

Due

Notes

Book temporary housing for 2–4 weeks (flexible cancellation if possible)

Priority

Due

Notes

Prepare driving history/abstract from home country (may help with insurance and license exchange)

Priority

Due

Notes

Add task

First 72 hours

Get essential IDs and connectivity in place quickly.

Done	Task	Priority	Due date	Notes
	Get a local SIM / phone plan & share your Canadian number with key contacts
	Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) High
	Map transit from temporary stay to Service Canada, bank, and prospective neighborhoods

Get a local SIM / phone plan & share your Canadian number with key contacts

Priority

Due

Notes

Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN) High

Priority

Due

Notes

Map transit from temporary stay to Service Canada, bank, and prospective neighborhoods

Priority

Due

Notes

Add task

First 2 weeks

Banking, health coverage, and a starter credit profile.

Done	Task	Priority	Due date	Notes
	Open a Canadian chequing account & set up e-transfers High
	Start your Canadian credit file (secured or low-limit card; set auto-pay) Credit-building guidance
	Apply for provincial health coverage (health card) and choose a family doctor/clinic
	Create CRA My Account (for taxes & benefits)

Open a Canadian chequing account & set up e-transfers High

Priority

Due

Notes

Start your Canadian credit file (secured or low-limit card; set auto-pay)

Credit-building guidance

Priority

Due

Notes

Apply for provincial health coverage (health card) and choose a family doctor/clinic

Priority

Due

Notes

Create CRA My Account (for taxes & benefits)

Priority

Due

Notes

Add task

First month

Stabilize housing, bills, and your monthly plan.

Done	Task	Priority	Due date	Notes
	Secure long-term housing & set up renter’s insurance + utilities
	Build a realistic monthly plan (Needs / Wants / Savings & Debt) and automate key bills Budget Calculator
	Exchange or apply for a driver’s licence (bring driving abstract if available)
	Enroll kids in school / childcare and update immunization records (if applicable)

Secure long-term housing & set up renter’s insurance + utilities

Priority

Due

Notes

Build a realistic monthly plan (Needs / Wants / Savings & Debt) and automate key bills

Budget Calculator

Priority

Due

Notes

Exchange or apply for a driver’s licence (bring driving abstract if available)

Priority

Due

Notes

Enroll kids in school / childcare and update immunization records (if applicable)

Priority

Due

Notes

Add task

3–6 months

Build buffers, optimize taxes, and grow your roots.

Done	Task	Priority	Due date	Notes
	Build an emergency fund (target 1–3 months of essential expenses) Net Worth Tracker
	Consider TFSA/RRSP (eligibility, contribution room) and set contributions Planning session
	Prepare first Canadian tax filing (save pay stubs/receipts; confirm credits/benefits) Tax support
	Grow Canadian references & network (volunteer, professional groups)

Build an emergency fund (target 1–3 months of essential expenses)

Net Worth Tracker

Priority

Due

Notes

Consider TFSA/RRSP (eligibility, contribution room) and set contributions

Planning session

Priority

Due

Notes

Prepare first Canadian tax filing (save pay stubs/receipts; confirm credits/benefits)

Tax support

Priority

Due

Notes

Grow Canadian references & network (volunteer, professional groups)

Priority

Due

Notes

Add task

Your custom tasks

Add anything unique to your situation or goals.

Done	Task	Priority	Due date	Notes

Add task

Helpful tools & services

Monthly planning: Budget Calculator
Track your finances: Net Worth Tracker • Debt Snowball / Payoff Planner
Optimize benefits & taxes: Tax support • Financial planning session
Client library: Log in to share docs & track progress

Notes: Program rules (health cards, licensing, benefits) vary by province and can change. Treat this checklist as guidance—verify details with official sources.

Newcomer Financial Checklist for Canada | Fanny Samaniego