Essential things to do as an international student in Canada when they initially arrive include various things.
Canada is an excellent option for overseas students because of its high educational standards, relatively affordable tuition, employment opportunities while studying, and immigration possibilities after graduation.
There were 807,750 international students with active study visas as of December 31, 2022, according to data from IRCC.
Read this guide for international students to help to get through the first 30 days of their Canadian experience as more students are ready to arrive for the upcoming fall semester of study.
Essential things to do as an international student in Canada – Housing
Several international students will still need to hunt for housing near their college or university campuses, even though many can obtain accommodations with their Designated Learning Institution (DLI). It is the only educational institution in Canada authorized to accept international students.
International students might get great assistance from their respective college or university’s housing portal. These are often bulletin boards that a school runs online where teachers, staff, and authorized posters can post advertisements seeking different types of rental properties.
International students can use popular social media and classifieds websites to search for rental properties in addition to the resources provided by their schools. Here are a few instances:
- Kijiji—Canada’s most popular classifieds website offers a large selection of rental homes that may be according to your desired location.
- Facebook Marketplace: It has a connection with Facebook. It is like Kijiji, as it provides greater transparency between users.
- Realtor.ca: This well-known website for finding a place to purchase or rent offers a behind-the-scenes peek at properties from a range of sources. Additionally, users of the website can get in direct contact with agents and rental companies; or
- Hiring a realtor can help reduce the stress and worry associated with home-buying. However, it may be a more costly option. International students should also be aware that brokers don’t receive payment until a successful sale or rental contract gets closed. Further, this implies that one shouldn’t pay for realtor services while the house hunting is on.
Things to remember
Students should be aware that a lot of landlords, particularly those who do not know the renter beforehand, will typically request a one-year lease. International students may encounter challenges if they do not have a Canadian credit history because a credit score is frequently necessary to evaluate a candidate’s capacity to pay rent. Nevertheless, there are ways around this, like designating a reliable Canadian individual to sign on as a co-leaser or guarantor. Furthermore, potential tenants can offer a higher deposit (the first and last month’s deposit is the customary deposit at the beginning of a renting period), which, if your landlord so chooses, can substitute for a credit history.
Typically, international students will consider transportation to school when searching for housing outside of their country.
Students can benefit significantly from using apps such as Transit or internet sites like Google to gain a better understanding of their transportation alternatives from a potential place of residence.
Cellphone
To maintain contact with their friends and family, a lot of international students will get a cell phone with a local number.
The cost of cell phone plans varies based on their duration and features; several provide plans or reduced prices for students. A few things to think about when selecting a phone plan include data and calling minutes, as well as whether or not the device is included.
As an international student, You might want to make international calls to your home country. International calling is a feature that many phone carriers offer as an add-on to their phone plans.
New phone plans are typically set up at the initial point of sale, which can be an airport, mall kiosk, or retail location. You can apply for a new phone plan digitally through a service provider if your credit history is subject to assessment.
International students should be aware that some Canadian carriers may not be able to offer them a post-paid phone plan if they do not have a credit history there. However, through international credit checks, some carriers can offer post-paid plans to students from other countries. If there is no credit history accessible, overseas students may still choose a pre-paid plan.
Banking is one of the essential things to do as an international student in Canada
You must set up a bank account as soon as you land in Canada to use it to make daily purchases and pay payments. If you intend to work in addition to studying, you will also require one.
There are numerous banks in Canada, including credit unions, foreign banks, and offices and branches in the majority of Canadian cities. The ideal bank for you will probably depend on your preferences. However, the majority of Canadian banks provide services of a comparable caliber.
With several combinations of papers, often some kind of identity, newcomers to Canada can create a bank account. You should verify the documents the bank accepts because each one will have different requirements.
The following items should be brought with you when opening a new bank account for international students:
- Your residence proof;
- Student I.D.;
- Study Permit;
- Passport with a student Visa; and
- Letter of Acceptance from DLI
Additionally, almost all major Canadian banks provide unique banking packages for students and new Canadian immigrants.
You should also consider acquiring a credit card, which is beneficial because it allows you to track your expenditures, secure your finances, and establish credit. Credit can be significant in Canada because it is a crucial indicator of one’s capacity to make substantial or ongoing expenditures, such as being accepted for a mortgage, rental agreement, post-paid phone plan, etc. Several financial institutions provide specialized cards and offers for immigrants and overseas students with lower earnings and shorter credit histories.
Student Supports
DLIs offer a range of aids, particularly for international students, depending on your educational institution.
The international education center at your institution (or the equivalent office for international students) can provide everything from language instruction and support to housing aid and specialized activities for international students. The offices and departments of other schools that can provide additional assistance can frequently be contacted and referred to by international education centers.
The career center at your school may be one such division. These offices can assist overseas students with various tasks, including resume writing, practice interviews, networking opportunities, and more.
It’s also a good idea for international students to get their student ID cards as soon as feasible. This will not only allow for the full registration procedure for the school, but it may also make it possible for students to benefit from certain advantages at other businesses, such as unique plans and discounted pricing. One illustration is the well-known SPC Card program, which offers a card that, when used in conjunction with student identification, entitles students to discounts at hundreds of retailers across a range of various purchasing categories. Finally, a lot of schools host a club week at the beginning of the academic year.
It is a terrific opportunity for all types of people to discover their “group” since, unlike freshmen orientations (also known as FROSH weeks), this is a chance for all the school’s organizations to present themselves and recruit new members. Club week is a great chance to familiarize yourself with like-minded individuals and build a new social network, whether through a cultural club that facilitates interactions between people from the same or comparable countries or a group based on fandoms or hobbies.
Essential things to do as an international student in Canada – acquiring a Social Insurance Number
You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), which is a nine-digit number, to work in Canada or access government services and benefits. Several methods exist for obtaining a Canadian SIN.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for a SIN is online, the first choice. You can submit online copies of your documents and finish your SIN application on the eSIN platform, which provides a safe and secure environment.
A SIN application can also be made in person. One of Service Canada’s clinics that issues a SIN at educational institutions or community organizations may be available in your neighborhood. Suppose you are unable to submit your application online or visit one of these SIN clinics. In that case, you can schedule an appointment at a Service Canada Center close by and bring the necessary paperwork.
Finally, you possess the option of mailing the Social Insurance Registration Office your completed SIN application form and all necessary supporting papers.
Service Canada will send you a paper confirmation after your application is complete. This will contain your SIN number.
A post-secondary education’s capacity to connect with professors and other faculty members during office hours is sometimes one of its most underappreciated features.
Office hours are a great chance to meet your professors and get to know them, but they’re also a great chance to get one-on-one advice from a professional in your field of study.
While the working hours often fill up quickly (depending on their schedule and demand), they are frequently worth waiting for everything from a quick conversation to in-depth assistance with a particular coursework component.
