Moving to Canada: Expat Registration Guide

Entry Authorization (eTA or Visa) in Canada: Citizens of all EU member states can visit Canada without a visa, but need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to fly there. The eTA covers short visits only. To work, study or settle you also need the permits described below. Citizens of non-EU European countries should check IRCC's online visa tool for their own passport.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Work Permit and Working Holiday in Canada: Foreign nationals need a work permit to work in Canada. Employer-specific permits are tied to a named employer. Young people from International Experience Canada (IEC) partner countries can apply for a Working Holiday permit. European partner countries include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

IRCC (Quebec: Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, MIFI)

Study Permit (Students Only) in Canada: A study permit is needed for study that lasts more than six months. You first need an acceptance letter from a designated learning institution (DLI). In Quebec a CAQ is also required (see the Quebec card).

IRCC (Quebec: MIFI)

Medical Exam, Biometrics and Police Certificates (When Required) in Canada: IRCC can ask for three supporting items on top of your application. Every permanent residence applicant and family member must have an immigration medical exam with an IRCC panel physician. Temporary residents may be asked for one too. Permanent residence applicants aged 14 to 79 give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). Police certificates are needed from each country where you lived six consecutive months or longer since age 18.

IRCC (Quebec: MIFI for the Quebec selection step)

Customs Declaration for Your Belongings (Form BSF186) in Canada: When you move or return to Canada you must give your list of goods to the border services officer at your first point of entry, even if you have no goods with you. The officer completes Form BSF186, the Personal Effects Accounting Document, gives it a file number and hands you a copy as a receipt. You need that copy to claim your goods when they arrive later. Prepare your list of goods before you travel.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Social Insurance Number (SIN) in Canada: The SIN is a nine-digit number used for work, taxes and government benefits. It is free. You can apply online, by mail or in person. Employers and banks will ask for it, so apply as soon as your status allows.

Service Canada

Tax Filing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in Canada: Newcomers must file a tax return for the year they become resident for tax purposes. The tax year runs 1 January to 31 December and returns are due by 30 April of the following year, or 15 June if you or your spouse are self-employed, though any tax owed is still due on 30 April. Filing also unlocks benefits and credits such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST credit).

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Health Insurance Card - Alberta (AHCIP) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. If you arrive from outside Canada, cover may start from the date you establish residency when you apply within 3 months. The waiting period applies to people moving from another province.

Alberta Health (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan)

Driving Licence Exchange - Alberta in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 90 days after moving. Registry agents exchange licences from reciprocal countries, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK.

Alberta registry agents

Health Insurance Card - British Columbia (BC Services Card and MSP) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. Cover starts after the rest of your arrival month plus two months. Apply immediately for the BC Services Card and buy private cover meanwhile.

Health Insurance BC (Medical Services Plan)

Driving Licence Exchange - British Columbia in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 90 days. You surrender your foreign licence when you apply. ICBC lists exchange countries on its own page.

ICBC

Health Insurance Card - Manitoba (Manitoba Health Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. Work permit holders may apply from the date the permit was issued if it is valid for at least 12 consecutive months. Study permit holders are not eligible.

Manitoba Health

Driving Licence Exchange - Manitoba in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 3 months. Many European countries can exchange without testing, including Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland and, since December 2024, Belgium and 25 other countries.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)

Health Insurance Card - New Brunswick (New Brunswick Medicare Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. Medicare starts on the first day of the third month after you establish permanent residence. Apply online or at a Service New Brunswick office.

Service New Brunswick and the Department of Health

Driving Licence Exchange - New Brunswick in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. You may use a foreign licence for three months, then written and road tests apply unless an exchange agreement covers you.

Service New Brunswick

Health Insurance Card - Newfoundland and Labrador (MCP Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. Apply to the Medical Care Plan (MCP) as soon as you arrive. There is no fee. Moving for less than one year does not qualify.

Medical Care Plan (MCP)

Driving Licence Exchange - Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. Exchange within 3 months, by appointment. Belgium signed a reciprocity agreement in 2024.

Service NL

Health Insurance Card - Northwest Territories (NWT Health Care Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. The wait is generally the rest of your arrival month plus two months. Bring your permit or PR card and two proofs of residency. No fee.

NWT Health and Social Services

Driving Licence Exchange - Northwest Territories in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 30 days. Transfer is in person only.

NWT Department of Infrastructure

Health Insurance Card - Nova Scotia (MSI Health Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. Permanent residents moving from outside Canada usually get cover from the date they become residents. Work and study permit holders must call MSI Resident Services to apply.

Medical Services Insurance (MSI)

Driving Licence Exchange - Nova Scotia in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 90 days. Exchange is in person with a vision test, and official releases confirm agreements including Austria, Germany and the UK.

Registry of Motor Vehicles

Health Insurance Card - Nunavut (Nunavut Health Care Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. You need a work or student visa valid for one year or more with a Nunavut address, two identity documents and proof you plan to live there over 12 months. No fee.

Nunavut Department of Health

Driving Licence Exchange - Nunavut in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. Apply within 30 days of moving, with two pieces of identification.

Nunavut Motor Vehicles

Health Insurance Card - Ontario (OHIP) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. No OHIP waiting period according to the official page. Bring proof of identity, status and Ontario residency.

Ministry of Health (OHIP, ServiceOntario)

Driving Licence Exchange - Ontario in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 60 days. Exchange is allowed for licences from Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Switzerland and the UK, among others.

Ministry of Transportation (ServiceOntario)

Health Insurance Card - Prince Edward Island (PEI Health Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. You can apply as soon as you arrive if you are legally in Canada and PEI is your main home for at least six months plus a day each year. International students who cannot work off-campus are not eligible.

Health PEI and Access PEI

Driving Licence Exchange - Prince Edward Island in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 4 months. The official exchange list includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK. Other countries need tests.

Prince Edward Island licensing office

Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) in Canada: Most temporary workers and students who come to Quebec need a CAQ from MIFI before the federal work or study permit. Some jobs are exempt, for example certain jobs exempt from a labour market assessment. For students the CAQ applies to programs longer than six months.

Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI)

Health Insurance Card - Quebec (RAMQ Health Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. RAMQ cover usually starts after up to 3 months, with exemptions such as social security agreements. RAMQ advises private insurance from the day you arrive.

Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ)

Driving Licence Exchange - Quebec in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 6 consecutive months. Book the exchange appointment on the SAAQ website. Credit cards are not accepted for fees.

SAAQ

Quebec Provincial Tax Return (Revenu Quebec) in Canada: Quebec residents also file a separate provincial return with Revenu Quebec, in addition to the federal return filed with the CRA.

Revenu Quebec

Health Insurance Card - Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Health Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. Apply through eHealth Saskatchewan. You must normally live in the province at least 6 months in 12. The official form says benefits begin on different dates, so confirm your start date with eHealth.

eHealth Saskatchewan

Driving Licence Exchange - Saskatchewan in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. SGI honours licences from a long list of European countries, exchanged for a Class 5 licence at a motor licence issuer. A driver's abstract dated within 30 days is normally required.

SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance)

Health Insurance Card - Yukon (Yukon Health Care Card) in Canada: Canada has no national health card, and each province and territory runs its own plan. New residents may face a 3-month wait. You need a work permit valid for at least one year. Study and tourist visas are not eligible. Register in person.

Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan

Driving Licence Exchange - Yukon in Canada: Driving licences are issued by each province and territory. 120 days. Recognized licences: Canada, USA, Taiwan, Germany (sign test required) and Isle of Man. Bring one identity document and two proofs of residency.

Yukon Motor Vehicles