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New to Canada Checklist: Your First Year as a Permanent Resident

The first things to do as a new permanent resident, in a suggested order, with the official page for each step.

From Government of Canada pages · checked

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Your first months in Canada come with a lot of paperwork. This checklist puts the main steps in one place, from your Social Insurance Number and health card to your first tax return and, a few years later, citizenship. Tick off each step as you go.

The order is a suggestion, not a rule: only a few steps have deadlines, and the first week list is where most people start. Every step links the official government page its facts come from.

Key factsAs of
Steps13, in 4 phases (first week, first month, first year, toward citizenship)
Deadlines among themThree: your Canadian address for your first PR card within 180 days of arriving (if you didn't give it at the border); your first tax return by April 30 of the year after you arrive (June 15 if self-employed); and, if you drive, your province's time limit for using a licence from another country
To keep PR statusAt least 730 days in Canada in the last 5 years
For citizenship1,095 days in Canada in the 5 years before you apply, and taxes filed for at least 3 of those years if you had to file

Source: IRCC: New immigrants

Next step: health coverage and waiting periods in your province

Choosing your province or territory points the health card, licence, photo ID and language class links at your province.

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In your first week

  1. You need a SIN to work in Canada and to get government programs and benefits. A permanent resident's SIN doesn't expire.

    How to get a SIN as a newcomer

    Source: Service Canada: Social Insurance Number (opens in a new tab)

  2. Health care is run by your province or territory. Some have a waiting period before your coverage starts, so apply as soon as you can.

    Health coverage in your province

    Source: Health care in Canada (canada.ca) (opens in a new tab)

  3. Your first PR card is mailed to you. If you didn't give a Canadian mailing address when you arrived, tell IRCC within 180 days of arriving.

    Tell IRCC your Canadian address (opens in a new tab)

    Source: IRCC: Tell us your Canadian address (opens in a new tab)

  4. The Government of Canada funds free settlement services to help you settle in, find work and learn about life here. IRCC's finder doesn't cover Quebec, which has its own integration services.

    Find free newcomer services (opens in a new tab)

    Source: IRCC: Find free newcomer services near you (opens in a new tab)

In your first month

  1. You can open a bank account in Canada without being a citizen, as long as you have proper identification. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada explains which ID banks accept and when a bank can refuse.

    Opening a bank account (FCAC) (opens in a new tab)

    Source: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Opening a bank account (opens in a new tab)

  2. Each province or territory sets its own time limit for driving on a licence from another country, and whether you can exchange it without a test depends on your province and the country that issued it. If you don't drive, your province has a photo ID card instead.

    Driver's licence exchangeProvincial photo ID

    Source: Driving in Canada (canada.ca) (opens in a new tab)

  3. Permanent residents can take government-funded English or French classes at no cost. The language classes tool shows the programs in your province.

    Free language classes in your province

    Source: IRCC: Language classes (opens in a new tab)

  4. Newcomers can apply for some federal benefits, like the Canada child benefit, as soon as they arrive, before filing a tax return.

    Government benefits for newcomers

    Source: CRA: Newcomers to Canada (opens in a new tab)

In your first year

  1. Scammers pretend to be IRCC or the Canada Revenue Agency. Know how they really contact you, and how to report fraud.

    Scams that target newcomers

    Source: IRCC: Fraud targeting newcomers (opens in a new tab)

  2. Your first return is due April 30 of the year after you arrive (June 15 if you or your spouse are self-employed). Filing every year keeps your benefits coming.

    Newcomers and taxes (CRA) (opens in a new tab)

    Source: CRA: Newcomers to Canada (opens in a new tab)

  3. To keep your PR status, you must be in Canada for at least 730 days in the last 5 years. The days don't need to be in a row.

    Understand permanent resident status (opens in a new tab)

    Source: IRCC: Understand permanent resident status (opens in a new tab)

Toward citizenship

  1. Citizenship needs 1,095 days in Canada in the 5 years before you apply. Keep a record of every trip outside Canada, and the calculator can email you when you're eligible.

    Physical presence calculator

    Source: IRCC: Who can apply for citizenship (opens in a new tab)

  2. Besides your days in Canada, you may need to have filed taxes for at least 3 of the 5 years, and you need to show English or French skills if you're 18 to 54.

    Citizenship eligibility checker

    Source: IRCC: Who can apply for citizenship (opens in a new tab)

This checklist is for information only and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Each step summarizes an official government page, and rules can change. Confirm with the official page before you rely on a date or an amount.

Official source: IRCC: New immigrants · Last updated: 2026-11-09

Planning for citizenship later?

Most permanent residents can apply once they've been physically present in Canada for 1,095 days within five years. Find out when you may be eligible. If your date is still ahead, we can email you a reminder.

Find your date →Or try a free citizenship practice test

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first after I arrive in Canada as a permanent resident?
Most newcomers start with a Social Insurance Number and a provincial health card, and give IRCC a Canadian address for their PR card if they didn't at the border. The order on this page is a suggestion: only a few steps have deadlines.
Do any of these steps have deadlines?
A few do. To get your first PR card mailed to you, give IRCC your Canadian address within 180 days of arriving if you didn't at the border. Your first tax return is due April 30 of the year after you arrive, or June 15 if you or your spouse are self-employed. If you drive, your province or territory also sets a time limit for driving on a licence from another country.
Is my progress saved?
Your ticks are saved in this browser only, so they stay on this device and nobody else sees them. Use "Clear progress" to start over, for example on a shared library computer.
When can I apply for Canadian citizenship?
When you have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days in the 5 years before you apply, have filed taxes for at least 3 of those years if you had to file, and meet the other requirements. The physical presence calculator and the eligibility checker on this site work it out from your dates.