TL;DR — Get your SIN at Service Canada in Week 1 (you need it for everything). Open a bank account at RBC, TD, or Scotiabank (student accounts are free). Health insurance varies by province — Ontario has a 3-month OHIP wait, BC gives MSP immediately, Quebec requires RAMQ. Buy a SIM from Public Mobile or Fido ($25-40/mo). Update your address with IRCC within 30 days.

Week 1: Arrive and settle

  • Clear CBSA at the airport — have your study permit approval letter, passport, letter of acceptance, and proof of funds ready. The officer issues your actual study permit at the border.
  • Get a SIM card — Public Mobile ($25/mo, 4GB), Fido ($30/mo, 6GB), or Koodo ($35/mo, 8GB). Buy at the airport or any Walmart/Best Buy. You need a Canadian number for everything.
  • Apply for SIN — go to the nearest Service Canada office with your passport + study permit. Takes 15 minutes, free. You need this for your bank account, any job, and tax filing.
  • Open a bank account — RBC, TD, and Scotiabank all offer free student accounts with no monthly fees. Bring passport, study permit, SIN, and letter of acceptance. Set up Interac e-Transfer.
  • Settle into housing — check in to residence or rental, get keys, buy bedding at Walmart or Canadian Tire. Download the Flipp app for weekly grocery deals.

Week 2: Academics and admin

  • Campus orientation — attend the international student orientation. Meet your advisor, get your student card, and learn the campus layout.
  • Health insurance — this varies by province:
    • Ontario: UHIP is mandatory ($756/year) — your university enrolls you. OHIP coverage starts after 3 months of residency.
    • BC: MSP covers you immediately. Enroll at gov.bc.ca/msp.
    • Quebec: RAMQ covers students from countries with reciprocal agreements (France, Belgium, etc.). Others need university insurance.
    • Alberta: AHCIP covers you after 3 months. University insurance covers the gap.
  • Set up university email — you'll use this for student discounts (Spotify, Amazon Prime Student, Apple Music).
  • Register for classes — if not already done. Meet your academic advisor to confirm your course load meets full-time requirements (required by your study permit).
  • Buy textbooks — check the university bookstore, but also try: campus buy/sell groups on Facebook, Library Genesis (for previewing), and Amazon.ca used books.

Week 3: Life setup

  • Grocery shopping — find your nearest Indian grocery store using SmartBazaar. For mainstream groceries: No Frills and FreshCo are the cheapest. Costco membership ($65/year) is worth it if you share with roommates.
  • Transit card — get a Presto card (Ontario), Compass card (BC), Opus card (Montreal), or your university U-Pass. Student rates save 30-40%.
  • Explore your neighbourhood — find the nearest walk-in clinic (for non-emergency medical), pharmacy (Shoppers Drug Mart accepts most student insurance), and library (free WiFi + printing).
  • Set up utilities — if in a rental (not residence): internet ($50-70/mo from Bell, Rogers, or budget options like TekSavvy), hydro (usually included in rent for apartments).

Week 4: Financial and social

  • Join student clubs — your university's Indian Students Association (ISA) is the fastest way to build community. Also check out volunteer groups for Canadian experience on your resume.
  • Build credit — apply for a student credit card (RBC or TD student Visa). Use it for small purchases and pay in full monthly. Canadian credit history starts from zero — you need to build it.
  • Set up remittance home — use Wise or Remitly for sending money to family in India. Much cheaper than bank wire transfers.
  • Update IRCC — log into your IRCC account and update your Canadian address within 30 days of arriving. This is a legal requirement.
  • File for GST/HST credit — even with $0 income, file a tax return (due April 30). You may qualify for the GST/HST credit ($500+/year) and provincial benefits. Use Wealthsimple Tax (free).

Documents to keep handy

Keep these accessible at all times (digital copies on your phone + physical copies in a folder):

  • Passport + study permit
  • Letter of acceptance
  • SIN card / confirmation letter
  • Proof of funds / bank statements
  • Health insurance card (UHIP/MSP/RAMQ)
  • Lease agreement
  • CAQ (Quebec students only — Certificat d'acceptation du Québec)
  • Vaccination records

Common mistakes

  • Not getting SIN early — you can't open a bank account, work on campus, or file taxes without it. Go to Service Canada in your first 3 days.
  • Missing the health insurance deadline — UHIP enrollment in Ontario has a window. Miss it and you pay out of pocket until next semester.
  • Not filing taxes — even with $0 income, you should file. You get GST/HST credits, and it builds your tax history for future immigration applications (PR).
  • Working more than 20 hours/week off-campus — your study permit allows up to 20 hrs/week during classes. Violating this can jeopardize your permit.
  • Not updating IRCC — failing to report your address change within 30 days is a permit violation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work in Canada as an international student?
Yes — up to 20 hours/week off-campus during academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks (summer, winter). On-campus work has no hour limit. You need a valid study permit and SIN. No separate work permit needed.
How do I get a Canadian driver's license?
Requirements vary by province. In Ontario: take a written test at a DriveTest centre ($16) to get a G1, then a road test for G2. Your Indian license may exempt you from some waiting periods — check with your provincial licensing authority. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is valid for 60-90 days after arrival.
Should I apply for PR while studying?
You can't apply for Express Entry PR directly while studying, but your Canadian education gives you significant CRS points. After graduation, apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), gain 1 year of Canadian work experience, then apply for PR through Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Plan this from day one — it's the most common path to PR for Indian students.
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — always verify with your university's international student office or IRCC. Last reviewed: May 2026.