Pak Pioneers Community Organization of Canada
Welcome to Canada
Before Arrival
- Apply for an international driver's licence (IDL). You need to have a valid driver's licence from your home country when you drive with an IDL. An IDL is valid for 1 year for tourists. If you are a resident of Ontario it is valid for only 90 days.
- Gather your family's important documents including marriage certificates, diplomas, transcripts and medical records.
- Plan your monthly budget for living
- Purchase private medical insurance for the first 3 months in Canada.
- Make sure you have clothing that is suitable for the time of year for you and your family.
Prepare For Employment
- Research the steps in getting licensed for your profession in Canada
- Start language training in your country
- Have your English language skills assessed before moving to Canada
Important Documents Before Arrival
- Passport
- Birth certificates for all family members
- Certified immunization records for all children under the age of 16 - these are required before children can be registered to attend school
- Adoption papers
- Driver's licence if you have one in your country - your foreign driver's licence is valid for 90 days after you arrive in Canada
- School diplomas and degrees, or trade or professional papers and certificates
- If you have a history of safe driving in your home country, ask for a letter of reference or history from your insurance company. This could help you get a discount on your insurance in Ontario.
- An original document in English or French to prove you have a driver's licence from the country where you were driving and show proof of how many years of driving experience you have. This document will help you get your driving licence in Ontario faster. (If you cannot show acceptable proof of your driving experience, you will be considered a new driver.)