First 10 Things to do after you land in Calgary – Alberta

Landing in a new country is exciting — and overwhelming. Between jet lag, a new city, and a long list of unfamiliar systems, it’s hard to know where to start. This guide walks you through the first ten practical steps most newcomers need to take in your first few weeks in Calgary, and exactly who to contact for each one.

1. Get a Canadian phone number

A local phone number makes everything else on this list easier — banks, health registration, and job applications all typically expect one. Prepaid SIM cards from providers like Public Mobile, Fido, or Lucky Mobile are widely available at malls, with no long-term contract required.

Where to go: Any mobile provider kiosk at a shopping mall (Chinook Centre, Market Mall), or their websites.

2. Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Your SIN is a 9-digit number required to work in Canada or access government benefits — it’s free, and applying is your responsibility as a newcomer. You’ll need to show an original identity document (like your PR card, work permit, or study permit) plus a secondary ID such as your passport.

How to apply: Online through the eSIN portal at canada.ca, in person at a Service Canada Centre, or by mail. Applying in person is fastest if you need your SIN urgently.

3. Apply for your AHCIP health card

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) covers most medically necessary doctor and hospital services at no direct cost. Coverage begins on the first day of the third month after you establish residency — so if you arrive in early September, coverage typically starts December 1st.

Important: In Alberta, AHCIP registration happens through an authorized registry agent (a licensed private business), not a government office directly. Apply as soon as you arrive, and get temporary private health insurance for the waiting period.

4. Open a Canadian bank account

A local bank account is needed to receive pay from a job, pay rent, and build credit history in Canada. Most major banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) offer newcomer banking packages with no monthly fees for the first year and no Canadian credit history required.

What to bring: Your passport, PR card or immigration document, and proof of address if you have one yet.

5. Register for a family doctor

Finding a family doctor can take time in Alberta. Unlike some provinces, Alberta doesn’t have one central waitlist registry — your best options are Alberta Health Services’ Find a Physician tool, local community health centres, or asking your registry agent or a settlement organization for current recommendations.

In the meantime, walk-in clinics and urgent care centres can see you for non-emergency needs while you search for a family doctor.

6. Get your Alberta driver’s licence or ID

Alberta’s rules depend on where your existing licence is from — some countries have a licence exchange agreement, while others require a knowledge and/or road test. This is handled at the same registry agent shown above — often the same visit as your AHCIP registration.

7. Register your kids for school (if applicable)

Public education in Canada is free for children of permanent residents, refugee claimants, and most temporary residents.

Where to go: Search “Calgary Board of Education newcomer registration” (or “Calgary Catholic School District” for the Catholic system) for their welcome centre, which can help assess your child’s grade level and English language support needs.

8. Set up transit access

Calgary Transit doesn’t use a physical reloadable card — instead, most riders pay with cash, prepaid tickets, monthly passes, or the My Fare mobile app, which lets you buy and validate tickets directly from your phone.

Where to go: Download the My Fare app from the App Store or Google Play, or buy tickets/passes at Calgary Transit customer service locations and many retailers.

9. Learn about tax filing and benefits

Even with little or no income, filing a tax return is how you become eligible for benefits like the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) if you have children.

Where to go: Community organizations often run free tax clinics for newcomers, typically February–April.

10. Connect with a settlement agency

You don’t have to figure any of this out by yourself. Calgary has established settlement organizations — such as the Centre for Newcomers — offering free settlement, employment, and language support in many languages.

This guide is intended as general orientation information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements and wait times can change — always confirm current details on official government websites (canada.ca, alberta.ca) before your appointment.