What To Do In Your First Month As An International Student In Canada?

After getting through immigration in Canada, you are bound to receive your study permit, which includes the details of your purpose. By doing so, you are now ready to start your journey as an international student!

Being an international student requires a lot of preparation. This includes applying for a study permit and enrolling in a school. Students often think that the hard part is over after this, but they’re bound to understand that it’s only the beginning. From looking for a place to live to applying for necessities they would need in their daily lives, here are some of the things an international student in Ontario, Canada should do in their first month.

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Look for an affordable place to rent or stay

Since everything is getting expensive these days due to inflation, it is important to consider your options, especially when looking for a place to live. Some websites that you can view in order to see listings are:

It may also be a good and practical idea to consider renting an apartment and with your friends or classmates so you can share rental and utility expenses.

Get your student identification card

First and foremost, getting your student ID is one of the most important things to acquire after arriving in Canada, as you will need this in order to prove your identity when applying for essential things such as opening a bank account, getting a debit/credit card, SIM card or plan phone deals, school health insurance and more. Additionally, by getting your student ID, you’ll be able to take advantage of discounts at Presto (card used for public transportation) fares, public libraries, stores such as Apple, Nike, Best Buy, and a variety of other benefits.

Buy basic grocery items

Inflation is driving up the cost of goods, especially groceries. In order to save money, it is therefore important to look into certain grocery stores that occasionally give

student discounts. Some grocery stores that you can check out are:

  • Metro
    • Participating Metro stores offer a 10 percent student discount on select days.
    • The student discount is available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and to qualify, you must show your post-secondary student ID during your purchase.
  • Longos
    • Longos offers $15 off an order of $100 or more when you get your order delivered by Grocery Gateway. However, this promotion is only available with an SPC (student price card) card at participating locations in Ontario.

While some grocery stores offer student discounts, other grocery stores in the area that sell basic grocery items at a cheaper price include:

  • FreshCo.
  • Food Basics
  • No Frills
  • Walmart
  • T&T
  • Seasons

Set up your Presto card

With over 70 stations in the Toronto Transit Commission (also known as TTC) and over 150 bus routes along Toronto, the TTC can be one of your best friends when getting around if you are going to study in Toronto. However, like other services, you are to pay for each transit. And that’s where Presto comes in. To buy a Presto card, you can buy it from a select retail store, a fare vending machine, a ticket vending machine, or customer service outlines. The presto fare can vary;

  • For kids aged 1–12, it’s free
  • For youth (13–19), it’s $2.40
  • For adults, it’s $3.35
  • For seniors, it’s $2.30

You can also use your Presto card to take trains outside of Toronto or in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) since you can use it with other 11 different transit agencies in the GTA, Hamilton Area and Ottawa, such as GO Transits (train and buses) and UP Express.

Get a Canadian phone number

For the purpose of obtaining other necessary documents for school or in general, you will need to get a Canadian phone number. Moreover, getting a mobile number will allow you to communicate with your family and friends when school starts. Getting connected with other students or people within the community will also be much easier if you have a Canadian phone number.

Set up a bank account

In order to pay for your bills and for your daily spending, you are required to get a bank account, whether it is a credit or debit card. In addition, if you were to work while studying, since international students are allowed to work 20 hours per week, your employer may ask you for your bank details in order to transfer your salary.

As you are just getting started, it is best to research the type of card you would like. It is advisable for students to seek out banks that provide advantageous promotions. In order to open a student bank account, you are required to present your:

  • Study permit
  • Government photo ID
  • Proof of enrolment

Some banks that offer promotions that can benefit you include:

  • Scotiabank: Scotiabank® Scene + ™ Visa* Card
    • Earn and redeem Scene+ points when you shop at over 1,100 eligible grocery stores across Canada, including Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, and more.
    • 1 Scene+ point for every $5 spent on everyday purchases.
    • 1 Scene+ point for every $1 spent at Cineplex
  • BMO student bank
    • Enjoy no monthly plan fees*73 and save $203 per year.
    • Get the first accidental fee charged on your new student savings and checking accounts reversed.
  • RBC student account
    • $0 monthly fee for full-time students
    • No RBC fee; unlimited debit transactions in Canada

Getting a SIN (Social Insurance Number)

With the intention to start working in insurable or pensionable employment, you are required to present your SIN to your employer so that you can file income tax returns and for benefit purposes. Moreover, your SIN is used to identify yourself to the government of Canada. On top of that, applying for a SIN requires no charge.

To get started on acquiring a SIN, you can apply either online, in person at the Service Canada Centre, or by mail. In order to apply for your SIN as a student permit holder, you are required to present the following documents:

1. Primary identity document

You must provide either a study or work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

2. Secondary document

You must provide one of the following documents: It must contain the legal name (family name and given name) and the date of birth.

  • A valid passport
  • A Canadian provincial or territorial ID card or driver’s licence
  • Any other Canadian government-issued ID
  • Supporting document (If the name on any document provided is different from the name on the SIN application, a legal document stating the most recent name used is required)

Getting an ON Photo card or Driver’s Licence

You’ll need an identity card of some kind to prove who you are. In addition to having your passport and student ID to verify your identification, it’s a good idea to have a government-issued ID, like a driver’s licence or ON photo card.

Firstly, an ON photo card is a form of government-issued identification that can be used as identification when traveling domestically or for regular commercial dealings. For those residents of Ontario without a driver’s licence, it serves as identity, making it simpler for them to perform tasks like opening a bank account and other tasks requiring formal identification.

How and where to apply for an ON Photo Card?

If you are 16 years of age or older, a resident of Ontario, or you do not possess an Ontario driver’s licence, you may apply at Service Ontario for an ON Photo card.

To apply for an ON photo card, you are required to provide valid original identity documents that prove your legal name, date of birth, and signature. Some acceptable documents include:

  • Passport
  • Study permit
  • Birth Certificate

Another form of government ID that you can use on a day-to-day basis is a driver’s licence. To get your driver’s licence, you must be 16 years or older.

Obtaining your driver’s licence begins with successfully completing a vision test and a knowledge assessment covering road rules and traffic signs, commonly referred to as the G1 test. Upon acquiring your G1, you gain provisional driving privileges, allowing you to drive under the supervision of someone holding a G driver’s licence for at least four years, seated in the passenger seat. After 8-12 months with a G1, you become eligible to take the G2, a practical driving examination.

  • Requirements for applying for a driver’s licence
    • Must be 16 years of age or older
    • Proof of identification
  • Class G1 licence package: $159. 75
    • The cost includes a knowledge test, a Class G2 road test (to earn your G2 licence), and a five-year licence. This fee is payable at the time of application.
    • Class G2 road test (to earn your G2 licence), and a five-year licence. This fee is payable at the time of application.
    • Knowledge test (per extra attempt): $16.00
    • Class G2 road test (to earn a Class G2 licence): $53.75
    • Five-year licence: $90.00
    • Class G road test (to earn a Class G licence): $91.25
  • Difference between G, G1, and G2
    • G1: Level One of graduated licensing. Holders may drive Class G vehicles with an accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years driving experience.
    • G2: Level Two of graduated licensing. Holders may drive Class G vehicles without accompanying drivers but are subject to certain conditions.
    • G: Allowed to drive any car, van or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kilograms provided the vehicle towed is not over 4,600 kilograms.

Look for part-time or full-time jobs while studying

As we all know, everything is governed by money. You will require money to cover your necessities and wants, as well as rent, groceries, utilities, and other expenses. While some students have funds that will allow them to support themselves without getting a job, others don’t. Therefore, they will need to get a job.

You may start by looking for part-time jobs while studying. There are various websites that post listings for part-time jobs that you can browse and check. Some trusted websites for applying a job here in Canada include:

Network, network, network

It may sound like a cliché, but expanding your network within your school and community really helps especially if you are living and studying abroad. Be brave and go out of your comfort zone to meet people in school by attending school activities and community events. One of the best ways to get a job is a referral from friends, relatives, or colleagues, and it also helps to have a support system especially if you are living alone and surviving the brutal winter months!

By being prepared and accomplishing this list as soon as you arrive in Canada, you will be able to have a smooth journey as an international student while having to carry out the benefits of being a student in Canada. Moreover, by doing research and following these helpful guidelines, you will be able to save up money and carry out your responsibilities as a student more adequately

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