Moving to a new place to live and transitioning to a new job can be both exciting and challenging. The following information will help you prepare for these changes in your life.
The SIN is a nine-digit number used in the administration of various Canadian government programs. You will need a Social Insurance Number to get a job, to open a bank account, to apply for government benefits and to pay income tax. You must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada. You will need your work permit before applying for your SIN.
The Alberta Healthcare Insurance Plan provides healthcare coverage for all Albertans. The healthcare plan covers all essential healthcare services including visits to a family physician and the emergency room. In order to apply for Alberta Health Care, you must be able to provide proof of residency in Alberta such as a driver’s license or a current utility bill that has your new address on it. There are no premiums for the plan. You are covered by Alberta Healthcare from the time you arrive in Alberta, but you must file your application within 90 days of arriving in Alberta.
If you are considering purchasing a residence in the Calgary area, visit the MLS web site.
Calgary Police Services Crimes Web Mapping Application
For details on home utility services, visit the following:
Telephone (land line): Shaw, Telus
Electricity: Enmax
Gas: ATCO Gas
Internet: Platinum, Rogers, Shaw, Telus
Public Libraries: Calgary Public Library
Public Recreation: City of Calgary - Recreation
Public Transportation: Calgary Transit
Visit this website to learn more about local Calgary day homes, day care, pre-school, before school and after school care.
Calgary Board of Education
Calgary Catholic School District
Private & Charter Schools
Physicians and their families who are not Canadian should apply for a study permit for each child of school age. Apply for the study permits at the same time you make application for a work permit.
We recommend contacting the school board in the area to which you are relocating to determine if your children are eligible to attend.
Non-school aged children may be issued a Visitor Record.
The Government of Alberta offers seven different classes of driver licences. If you are a new resident in Alberta, you must register your vehicle(s) and obtain an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province, regardless of whether you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days.
There are a variety of banks to choose from in the Calgary area including but not limited to Bank of Montreal, CIBC, HSBC, RBC, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust.
Opening an account requires two pieces of identification, one of which must be a photograph.
