Canada's currency is the dollar. There are 100 cents in a dollar. Canadian coins include the penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents), a one-dollar coin known as the "loonie" and a two-dollar coin called a "toonie." The most common paper bills are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

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Yes, Canada has one of the finest public health insurance systems in the world. It is known as Medicare. Under Medicare, you don’t have to “pay” directly for most health-care services. They are paid through your taxes. Medicare is available to all permanent residents and Canadian citizens. In most provinces, you will receive coverage as soon as you apply for your health card. In British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, there is a three-month waiting period before your coverage begins. You should buy your own private health insurance in case you need medical care during the waiting period. Private insurance companies are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book.

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In Canada, most people work at full-time or part-time jobs to support themselves and their families. At first, you may find it difficult to get work that matches your skills. It may also be difficult to find a job that pays as much as you want until you get experience from a job in Canada. Your qualifications may not be accepted in Canada until you have Canadian documents or training, some work experience and a good working knowledge of English or French. Until then, you may have to look for other employment. Try not to get discouraged. When the right job does come along, you will benefit from your Canadian job experience.

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When you travel to Canada, the documents you carry with you can be classified in two categories; "Essential Documents" and "Important Documents". "Essential Documents" to carry with you are: 1.A Canadian immigrant visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence for yourself and each family member travelling with you 2.A valid passport or other travel document for yourself and each family member travelling with you 3.Two copies of a detailed list of all the personal or household items you are bringing with you, including total values of such items and 4.Two copies of a list of items that are arriving later (that you may shipped, etc) including total values of such items 5.Enough money to cover living expenses such as rent, food, clothing and transportation for a six-month period. You may be asked to show proof of your funds. Do not pack your documents in a suitcase. You will need to have them available to show to immigration and customs officials. "Important Documents" to carry with you are: 1.Birth certificates or baptismal certificates 2.Marriage certificates 3.Adoption, separation or divorce papers 4.School records, diplomas or degrees for each family member travelling with you 5.Trade or professional certificates and licences inlcuding letters of reference from former employers 6.A list of your educational and professional qualifications and job experience 7.Immunization, vaccination, dental and other health records for each family member 8.Driver’s licence, including an International Driver’s Permit 9.Photocopies of all essential and important documents, in case the originals get lost(do not keep with originals) 10.Car registration documents (if you are importing a motor vehicle into Canada) 11.Abstract from your last vehicle Insurance Company detailing safe driving record (if applicable) for the past 5+ years

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The entry procedure is fairly straightforward if you have your passport and other "Essential Documents" detailed above with you. You will be interviewed by a Canada Customs officer. You will need to give the officer a list of all the household and personal items that you will be bringing into Canada. You should also show the immigrant visa to the customs officer, who will refer you to an immigration officer. The immigration officer will check your visa and travel documents and ask you questions similar to those on the Immigrant Application Form, to verify that you are of good character and in good health. At this time, you may also be asked to show proof of your funds. If there are no difficulties, the officer will authorize your entry to Canada as a Permanent Resident by signing your Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence. If you arrive at one of the major Canadian airports, you will get a booklet called Welcome to Canada: What You Should Know. It has information on most aspects of life in Canada.

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- Apply for Permanent Resident Card (PR card). - Apply for Social Insurance Number (SIN card). - Permanent residents in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have a three-month eligibility waiting period for provincial medical health insurance. During this time, you should apply for temporary private, health insurance coverage. - Apply for a provincial health card (MSP/OHIP/etc) which will arrive in about 3 months. - Open an account with a Canadian bank or Credit Union to deposit your money - Look for a long term accommodation. - Attend a goverment sponsored (free) job search program centre and start the process of searching for a job. - Get a Canadian driving license. - If required, register for an English or French language course. - Apply for a membership at the municipal library, where you can also avail internet services. - If you have children, find an appropriate school for them in the proximity of your home.

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No. Chances are that when you get to Canada you will have some Canadian money with you for your immediate needs. If you don't, you may wish to exchange a small amount of your native currency for some Canadian money as soon as you arrive. Most airports have foreign exchange offices which can do this for you. Try not to exchange too much as the rate of exchange (how much your money will buy) may not be as good as that you could obtain at a local bank.

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A permanent resident is a person who has immigrated to Canada. To keep permanent resident status, a permanent resident must live in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period.

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You should receive your PR card within four weeks of officially entering the country as an immigrant. If you do not have a mailing address when you arrive in Canada, you must provide your address to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as soon as possible by contacting their Call Centre. You may choose to use TradeNconsult's office address in your application, after prior intimation. You will receive your card about four weeks after you give your address to CIC.

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If you are a new permanent resident, you will receive your Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) by mail.

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A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit identification number used to help the government keep track of who is earning money, paying taxes, paying into pension plans, using government services and receiving benefits. You must have a SIN to work in Canada and to receive benefits. Your SIN comes in the form of a card. This card is often called your SIN card.

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Most newcomers receive a SIN application form when they first arrive in Canada. If you did not get one, application forms are available at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) offices, Canada Post offices, on-line and through many immigrant-serving agencies. To apply, go to the nearest Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) office. You can also apply by mail. There is a small fee.

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The Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. The CCTB includes the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS), a monthly benefit for low-income families with children. The NCBS is the Government of Canada’s contribution to the National Child Benefit, a joint initiative of federal, provincial and territorial governments.

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To receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit, you must meet all the following conditions: *You must live with the child, and the child must be under the age of 18; *You must be the person who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child; *You must be a resident of Canada; and *You or your spouse or common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person or a temporary resident.

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You must complete an application form and send it to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You can download a copy of the application form from the CRA Web site, or get one from a CRA office.

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The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Quebec Pension Plan are forms of insurance. During your working years, you contribute to the plan. Then, starting at age 65, you receive monthly payments. A reduced pension is available at age 60.

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The GST is a tax that you pay on most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. In some provinces, the GST has been blended with the provincial sales tax (PST) and is called the HST.

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The GST/HST Credit helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset all or part of the GST or HST that they pay. To be eligible for the credit, you must be a resident of Canada and you must be 19 years of age or older; if you are under 19, you are only eligible for the credit if you have a spouse or common-law partner or you are a parent.

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To apply for the GST/HST Credit, complete Form RC151, Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit Application. You can get the form and more information about the GST/HST Credit by calling the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's enquiry service at 1 800 959-1953 or visit www.ccra.gc.ca/benefits. To continue receiving the credit each year, you will have to file an Income Tax and Benefit Return and apply for the credit on that return.

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It's normally not easy to obtain a credit card immediately upon arrival without a Canadian credit history. However, it is easy to obtain one after 3 or 6 months of stay. If you do need to obtain one immediately on arrival, you could work it out with your bank who will ask you to make a deposit and give you a credit card equivalent to the deposited amount. This is good start to building your credit history.

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TradeNConsult welcomes new immigrants to Vancouver and other cities of Canada and help them settle down during their first few days of arrival to Vancouver. Our interaction with the new immigrant(s) begins before they land in Canada through a process of interaction over the internet (email & chat) or mail/phone calls. We help the new immigrant complete many important official applications that are required to be submitted to the governement offices, immediately upon arrival.

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Yes. You need to inform us your flight details and our Customer Service Representatives will waiting at the arrivals area to pick you and your family from the airport.

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Yes. We have several large vans specifically for such services. More details are provided within the Settlement services drop down menu on our website.

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