Pre-webinar Notes - Prepare For Canada

Pre-webinar Notes
The complete pre-immigration course
for new Canadian immigrants
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A workshop prepared by Naeem “Nick” Noorani Managing Partner, Destination Canada Information Inc.
Welcome
Hello,
Congratulations on registering for the Know Before you Go webinar. This webinar will help you prepare for
Canada and for success!
Please do read these notes carefully as we will not be discussing these topics in the webinar but other topics that
immigrants have asked us and that are crucial to your success!
Cheers!
Nick Noorani, Dave Frattini
Managing Partners
Prepare for Canada
Destination Canada Information Inc.’s “Know Before You Go” program helps prospective immigrants to prepare for success in Canada by delivering quality seminars and information focusing on job preparedness and
settlement first steps, operating overseas and in-Canada through online and in-person activities.
We aim to make a difference in immigrants’ integration into Canada, and build bridges among all of Canada’s
diverse population for a better future for our country.
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BMO NewStart Program
for Newcomers to Canada
®
TM
®
BMO Bank of Montreal understands that newcomers
to Canada have unique financial needs.
That’s why BMO NewStart™ Program includes:
• special offers to save you money
• tools to help you establish your financial future in Canada
For more information, visit your local BMO branch once you land in Canada,
or visit www.bmo.com/newstart
Registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal. ™Trademark of Bank of Montreal.
®
Essential documents to bring to Canada
Soon you will be in Canada and now it’s the time to prepare all the things you need to bring with you.
You will save yourself a lot of time and frustration by not forgetting 14 essential documents that you
can’t afford not to bring. These documents will make your life much easier in Canada.
So let’s start with the top of the list: your birth certificate. If you’re immigrating with your family; they
all need to have their birth certificates as well.
• The next document to bring is your marriage certificate, or divorce papers if applicable.
• If you have children, bring their school records, as they will help you place them into the right grade
at school.
• And if you or any other adults accompanying you have degrees, bring copies of them, diplomas and
academic transcripts. Have them evaluated by a professional service in Canada; because it might help
you find work more easily.
• Another document that might be helpful as well is a reference letter from each of your former
employers. In addition to these letters, bring samples of your work or achievements, any samples you
think might help you get a job in Canada.
• Next on the list is an international driver’s licence which will let you drive in the country for the
short term, till you get your Canadian licence. And in addition to that, if you can show you have a good
driving record in your home country, bring those documents as you might get a better insurance rate in
Canada.
• With regards to your health, get a travel health insurance for the short term, until you become eligible
for health care coverage.
• If you have health issues, bring any medical records, dental files or x-rays you have; they might be
needed in the future. Don’t forget also the vaccination records for your children.
• Other documents to bring are: Certificates of valuation & authenticity, if you’re bringing jewellery or
other valuables.
Have all these important documents translated into English or French before arriving, so that people
in Canada can easily understand them, and it’s better you keep these documents or at least the most
important ones with you at all times. Packing them in your luggage might not be a good option.
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Credentialing
Soon you will be in Canada and now is a good time to prepare for the Canadian labour market and work
on having your credentials evaluated. It’s important to start this process before you move, as preparing
the papers needed, having them translated and even, in some cases, starting the pre-arrival credential application will save you a lot of time and frustration.
• The first step you need to do is to research and understand your profession or industry. Is it a licenced
or unlicensed profession in Canada?
• If you’re a doctor, engineer, teacher, accountant, nurse or pharmacist, you practice a licenced
profession and will need to get relicensed in Canada. This means you have to pass some tests, maybe
take some further training as well.
• Research and contact the licencing board of your profession in the province you wish to settle. Why?
Because each province has its own board. They will give you details on having your credentials
evaluated and the steps needed to get relicensed in Canada.
• Learn as much as you can before leaving and don’t forget that in some case, it might take you years
before you practice your profession again.
• You don’t need to go through the hassle of relicensing, if you’re a business manager, human resources
manager or a semi-skilled worker; your profession is an unlicensed one. Having said that, it does not
mean that you will not face any challenges. Therefore, you may consider having your credentials
evaluated by a professional service.
• Another option is planning to go back to school when in Canada, or even taking some courses online
while waiting for your visa.
• Because many jobs don’t get advertised, you need to network and make professional connections when
in Canada, to know about these jobs.
• Research and find out the professional association linked to your industry here. Contact them and start
building your Canadian network while still in your country of origin.
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Choosing the arrival location
As you may know, Canada is a huge country, with diverse cultures, communities, climates and
employment opportunities. And the economic benefits for you and your family vary tremendously from
province to province.That’s why it is important for you to choose carefully the province and the city you
will live in, based on your research of the job market for your particular industry or profession.
Move to a region where you can obtain employment, a region which is affordable and close to schools.
After choosing a province, you have to narrow it down to a city. Of course, you can always move, but
making an informed decision from the get-go will make your journey to Canada that much smoother.
If you already have friends and family in Canada, the choice might be already made in your mind. It’s
been proven that having a support network can help you integrate faster into Canada. On the other hand,
no point going to an area where your profession is not in demand just because you have friends there!
To help you get a fairly good idea of employment opportunities in each province, here is a breakdown of
various industries across the country:
• For opportunities in the automotive industry, manufacturing, media or finance, you might consider the
province of Ontario.
• Quebec is known for Technology, so is British Columbia and New Brunswick.
• If you have an agricultural background, you will find the best opportunities in the Prairies, Ontario and
Manitoba.
• Alberta and Saskatchewan are known for their oil and gas industries and have a big shortage of skilled
workers in these industries.
• Lumber is a major industry in B.C. and New Brunswick.
• Health care, hospitality and tourism jobs are most available in all regions.
• The mining industry is most prominent in B.C., Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories,
Yukon, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Research the official, and also some non-official websites on each province and the major cities to get a
broader idea of work and play in each province.
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Pre-arrival banking
When you move to Canada in a few months, one of your first priorities will be dealing with your
finances. You will need to have a Canadian bank account to pay for your everyday needs or conduct
your business.
• To begin with, you will need to choose the bank or credit union that is near your home.
• Most banks provide the basic accounts such as chequing and savings.
• To open an account, you will need your landed immigrant papers and any other identification that
proves your place of residence.
• It’s important for you to open a chequing account in particular, as most Canadian employers pay by
direct deposit right into your account.
• Another step you will need to do is getting a secured credit card, so that you can start building your
credit history in Canada.
• You can build this history by showing that you pay off your bills and loans in a timely manner.
• Having a good credit history is essential when you want to get a mortgage to buy a home, or get a loan
to start a business.
• If you prefer to open your Canadian bank account before your move, a safe and a cost-effective way
to bring your funds and have them readily available for you after you immigrate will be opening your
Canadian bank account when you are still in your country of origin.
• Most Canadian banks allow future clients to start their bank account application online.
• And even some of these banks are present in some countries where immigrants come from, through
direct branches, representative offices or local partners.
• BMO for example, offers immigrants to Canada a convenient channel to open a bank account before
leaving China or Hong Kong. To do that, they just need to visit a BMO branch in China or Hong Kong
and complete the referral form for a new deposit account and provide two pieces of acceptable
identification.
• Contact the bank you want to open an account with before moving and discuss with them your options
to start your pre-arrival banking process.
• Once your account is opened, usually the banks allow you to make one wire transfer prior to your
arrival.
• But note that you can’t withdraw any funds from your Canadian account, until you activate your
account by visiting the branch in person after you move to Canada.
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BMO Newstart™Program
About BMO Bank of Montreal
• Helping new Canadians reach their goals since 1817
• More than 900 branches in Canada, providing coast-to-coast support
• Large U.S. branch network, as well as offices in China, and around the world
• Banking, investment, and wealth management for more than 12 million customers
BMO NewStart™ Program Benefits
Get special offers to save you money and tools to help you establish your financial future in Canada.
BMO’s convenient banking package is available to all newcomers, including landed immigrants and foreign
workers, who have arrived in Canada within the last five (5) years1 .
BMO NewStart™ includes the following:
• Free Performance Plan chequing account
Save on fees with a free Performance Plan chequing account for one year, including unlimited chequing
transactions2.
• Choice of BMO MasterCard®*
Finding the right credit card can help you save money and establish your credit history3.
And more
• BMO GIC (Guaranteed Interest Certificate) bonus interest rate4
• Free safety deposit box for one year5
• Mortgage solution for newcomers6
It’s easy to sign up for BMO NewStart™
• Visit your local branch.
• Bring two pieces of ID.
• Open a BMO Performance Plan chequing account.
• Work with your BMO Representative to select the other products and services that meet your needs.
Landed immigrants:
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card or Citizenship and Immigration Canada form
(IMM 1000, IMM 1442 or IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
• Foreign passport or a driver’s license issued in Canada
Foreign workers:
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada work permit (Citizenship and Immigration Canada form IMM 1442)
• Foreign passport
1 Proof that status was obtained within the last five years is required as evidenced by a Canadian Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing documentation or work permit (IMM 1442).
2. Other plans are available but are not included in this offer. The customer is responsible for all fees pertaining to any transactions, services and products that are not included in the Everyday Banking Plan. Customers must
have a Primary Chequing account designated as the lead account.
3. Please note that, in some cases, approval may require a deposit or collateral worth the full amount of the credit limit.
4. Limited time offer. Eligible BMO Term Investments include regular BMO Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 year terms. All other BMO Term Investments are excluded from this offer. This
offer cannot be used in conjunction with another BMO Term Investment bonus offer. All special rate offers are subject to change without notice.
5. Availability of safety deposit boxes may vary by branch.
6. A high ratio mortgage must be insured against default.
TM Trade-mark of Bank of Montreal.
®* Registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. ® Registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal
For more information, visit bmo.com/newstart
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List of BMO Branches in China and Hong Kong
Bank of Montreal (China) Co. Ltd., Beijing Branch
Toll-free Hotline : 800-810-1438 (for use in China only)
Unit 01, 27th Floor, Tower 3
China Central Place,
No.77 Jianguo Road,
Chaoyang District,
Beijing, China 100025
Phone: (8610) 8588 1688
E-mail : enquiry.bj@bmo.com
Bank of Montreal (China) Co. Ltd., Guangzhou Branch
Toll-free Hotline : 800-810-1438 (for use in China only)
19th Floor, International Finance Place
8 Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town
Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510623
Phone: (8620) 3815-0088
E-mail : enquiry.gz@bmo.com
Bank of Montreal (China) Co. Ltd., Shanghai Branch
Toll-free Hotline : 800-810-1438 (for use in China only)
20/F, Phase II, Office Tower, Shanghai IFC
8 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area
Shanghai, 200120
Phone: (8621) 6136-3600
E-mail : enquiry.sh@bmo.com
BMO Bank of Montreal, Hong Kong Branch
3606 One Exchange Square,
Central, Hong Kong
Tel : (852) 2522-4182
E-mail : enquiry.hk@bmo.com
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BMO NewStart Program
for Newcomers to Canada
®
TM
Your new life in Canada will be filled with joy and excitement;
opportunities and unknowns.
BMO Bank of Montreal can provide you with a head start in getting your
family’s financial affairs in order before you arrive in Canada. We’re here to
make the transition easier and help you prepare for success and prosperity
in your new home.
®
To learn more, call your nearest BMO branch:
Within China: 800-810-1438 toll free line (for use in China only)
In Hong Kong: (852) 2522-4182
Registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal. ™Trademark of Bank of Montreal.
®