C$2,200
Min. monthly salary
C$4,500
Avg. monthly salary
C$1,400–2,500
1BR apartment/month
15–33% federal + provincial
Income tax
🛂 Visa & Entry
Main visa route
Express Entry / Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
🏦 Banking
Best bank for newcomers
Wise (before arrival) + Scotiabank/TD newcomer plan
Get SIN first
Social Insurance Number — free at Service Canada, same day
Newcomer packages
TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank all have 6-month free banking
Documents needed
Passport + PR card/visa + proof of address
📋 First Steps
SIN Number
Get at Service Canada the first week. Free. Needed for everything.
Health Card (OHIP)
Apply in first week. 3-month waiting period in Ontario.
Driver's License
Convert foreign license within 60 days in most provinces.
Credit History
Start with secured credit card (Scotiabank, TD). Build from zero.
💸 Transfers Home
Best service
Wise — best rates to most countries
To Russia
Wise or Remitly. Some corridors restricted.
To Ukraine
Remitly, Wise, Western Union
Average fee (C$1,000)
Wise: ~C$8. Bank: C$25–50
🏠 Housing
1BR Toronto
C$2,000–2,800/month
1BR Vancouver
C$2,200–3,000/month
1BR Calgary
C$1,400–2,000/month
1BR Montreal
C$1,100–1,800/month
Ready to move to Canada?
Use our free tools to find the best bank and transfer service for your situation.
📖 Other Country Guides
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Information is for guidance only and updated quarterly. Laws and banking policies change — always verify with official sources. Last updated: March 2026.