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 Vancouver, and exactly who to contact for each one.
None of these steps cost much (several are free), and you don’t have to do them alone — N.E.S.T is here to help with any of them.
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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 and are usually the cheapest way to start, with no long-term contract required.
Where to go: Any mobile provider kiosk at a shopping mall (Pacific Centre, Metropolis at Metrotown), 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 — you can often get it the same day.
Service Canada Centre — Vancouver (Downtown)
978 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC
Mon–Fri, 8:30am–4:00pm · SIN applications, passports, EI, CPP, and more
Note: this downtown office (at Granville Street) opened in March 2026, replacing the former Sinclair Centre location. A second Vancouver office also operates on West Broadway if this one is busy.
3. Apply for your BC Services Card & MSP (health coverage)
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is BC’s public health insurance. Newcomers must complete a waiting period before coverage begins — this is the rest of the month you arrive, plus two more full months. So if you arrive in early September, coverage typically starts around December 1st.
Important: Apply as soon as you arrive, even though coverage won’t start right away — the earlier you apply, the sooner it’s processed. During the wait period, get temporary private health insurance to cover any medical needs.
How to apply: Online at gov.bc.ca is fastest, or by mail. Most adults will also need to visit an ICBC driver licensing office to complete enrollment and get your BC Services Card, which doubles as your health ID.
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.
Tip: Many bank branches in downtown Vancouver and Metrotown have multilingual staff — it’s worth calling ahead to ask.
5. Register for a family doctor
Finding a family doctor can take time in BC, so it’s worth registering early even if you’re not sick right now. The Health Connect Registry adds you to a province-wide list shared with doctors and nurse practitioners who are accepting new patients in your area.
How to register: Online at healthlinkbc.ca/health-connect-registry, or by calling 811 (HealthLink BC). You’ll need your Personal Health Number, home address, and contact info — registration takes about five minutes.
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6. Get your BC driver’s licence or ID
If you plan to drive, BC’s rules depend on where your existing licence is from — some countries have a licence exchange agreement with BC, while others require a knowledge and/or road test.
How to check: Visit icbc.com and search “new residents” to see which category applies to your home country, then book an appointment at an ICBC driver licensing office.
ICBC Driver Licensing — Vancouver (Point Grey)
4126 MacDonald Street, Vancouver, BC V6L 2P2
Mon–Fri, 8:30am–4:30pm · Vancouver also has locations at Commercial Drive and Royal Centre downtown — check icbc.com/appointment for the full list and current wait times
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. Registration happens through your local school district.
Where to go: Search “Vancouver School Board newcomer registration” for their welcome centre, which can also help assess your child’s grade level and any English language support they may need.
8. Set up transit access
Metro Vancouver’s transit system (SkyTrain, buses, SeaBus) uses a reloadable Compass Card. If you’ll be relying on public transit, this is worth setting up in your first week.
Where to go: Compass Cards are available at SkyTrain stations, London Drugs, and some grocery stores, or online at compasscard.ca.
9. Learn about tax filing and benefits
Even with little or no income, filing a tax return in Canada is how you become eligible for benefits like the GST/HST credit and, if you have children, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) — both are essentially free money for eligible newcomer families, but you have to file taxes to receive them.
Where to go: Many community organizations, including N.E.S.T, can point you toward free tax clinics for newcomers (often available seasonally, typically February–April).
10. Connect with a settlement agency
You don’t have to figure any of this out by yourself. Settlement organizations like N.E.S.T offer free, confidential support to help you navigate exactly these steps — plus employment help, English classes, and more, often in your own language.
N.E.S.T — Newcomer Employment Services and Training
Serving the Lower Mainland, including Vancouver · Free, confidential, multilingual support
Once N.E.S.T has a physical office address set up, this card can be updated with the full location and a map — for now, reach out through the Contact page above.
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, gov.bc.ca, icbc.com) before your appointment.