You can bring money into canada through various ways and deposit in your bank.
It is advised that you do not bring more than $10 k in cash/cashier check when you first land. The most easiest way to transfer funds is to wire the money into your Canadian bank account. You can also bring a cashier check or write a personal check, but often the bank where you are depositing the money may put a hold on the check for 30 days are more. It is such an inconvenience when you move to a new country and want to rent an apartment, you end up not being able to access your funds.
If you have moved to Canada from the US, you would see a different way of banking here. Banks establish relationship with their clientele and you can get a lot of things done from your banker if they trust you.
The most common way to take money out from your account is using an ABM/ATM. You can also walk into a bank during their working hours and withdraw cash from your account.
Buying a home for a new immigrant can be very difficult. Credit History and other factors such has having a job in Canada will often make the bank deny you a loan.
In these scenarios, try to use your credit history from the country you are moving in from. Also banks may be ready to provide you a loan if you find a co-signee. The co-signee should have good/excellent credit history.
There are few different types of homes you can buy around Greater Toronto Area. You can buy condos, semi-detached or individual homes.
Condos are high-rise buildings at very prominent location. They are much smaller and could be cheaper than a semi-detached. Condos have high maintenance fees and often it could be one third of your mortgage per month. Immigrants who buy condos are usually buying it with an idea to rent it out.
Semi-detached are cheaper and have often 3 bedrooms are more. You can often find big boards on the roads that advertise semi-detached. Prices can START somewhere from $199k, depending upon the location. Most immigrants buy a semi-detached as their first home.
Individual homes are much bigger and have atleast a 2 car garage. They are also expensive and depending upon your location, you may have to pay a premium too. Bungalows are individual homes with only one floor but are bigger. They also sometimes come with a lot (land area). Retirees usually prefer this as they need not climb stairs.
Most bank charge a fees per month unless you have a minimum deposit. HSBC bank has a passport program where there is no fees for the first sixth month. They may also give you a locker for the first year for free or reduced fee.
There are lot of places to stay when you move into Greater Toronto Area. But there is one recommended by most people, it is called Studio six and it is in Mississauga.
They also have a website and their prices are always tough to beat.
See Studio Six here. They have free wireless, kitchen included in all rooms and they have special weekly and monthly rate. Tough to beat their prices in Mississauga.
This is the biggest question for anyone who is immigrating to Greater Toronto Area.
The major localities in GTA area
- Toronto
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Etobicoke
- Markham
- Richmond Hill
Obvious there are more places where you can rent, but most immigrants land in these areas. Toronto and Mississauga are some of the most expensive places. You can find good high rise condos in Mississauga and Toronto. Brampton has great town homes, semi-detached homes and individual homes. Etobicoke, Markham and Richmond Hill also has great homes and they are lot affordable.
Obviously, any one’s question is which area should I avoid when renting. Although I hate to name any place, there is one Jane and Finch. Click on the previous link to learn more.
Good luck hunting apartments.
Renting apartments for new immigrants can be tricky. Since you are new to the country, mostly your credit history in Canada will be non-existent. So landlords may not rent the apartment to you citing your credit history. Some apartment owners may ask you for additional months of rent or ask you to provide post-dated checks. They may also ask you for other favors that go a little further. Ontario has rules and regulations as to what is legal and what is not. I suggest you read the tenant’s rights given from the government.
Renting in Ontario
Often landlords accept credit histories from other countries and will let you rent.
Also providing good references will make a great difference in renting apartments.
You can also find information here on Ontario Tenants.
What is IELTS?
IELTS, expanded as International English Language Testing System, is an english test to prove your English credentials.
Who manages IELTS?
IELTS is managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).
Does IELTS
Ontario has four seasons.
1. Spring – Spring begins on March 20th and goes on till June 20th. Average temperature during the day is around 12 ° C.
2. Summer – is usually warm and it starts on June 21st. It lasts till September 21st. Temperature during the day is above 20 ° C. It can be humid in summer.
3. Fall – The weather cools down during Fall. Fall begins on September 21st and ends in December 20th. Temperature ranges from 10 ° C to around 15 ° C. It usually starts snowing by end of November.
4. Winter – It is really cold in winter. Winter starts on December 21st and lasts till March 19th. Temperatures are usually below zero during the day and night.
Weather is usually colder in norther ontario compared to southern ontario.
It is suggested to take an IELTS exam to prove your English credentials. Although Immigration Officers could take your english education and work experience, often they give only the minimum scores. So if your eligibility is based on obtaining better scores, please take the IELTS exam.
- IMM8 Form
- Schedule 1
- Additional Family Information
- Schedule 3
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Copies of passport pages
- Certified copies of Secondary School Certificate
- College / University/Diploma Transcripts and Documents
- Any other professional qualification certificate
- Work experience letters
- Previous appointment letters
- Proof of Language Proficiency
- Photographs
If you are producing a copy of any of the above certificate/letters/documents, please notarize them to prove that they are an exact replica of the original.