Here is the first thing you should do, once you arrive in Saskatoon/Canada.
Number 1: Apply for a SIN Number
As a new immigrant, you should first apply for a Social Insurance Number (called it as SIN number). SIN is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. You can find more information on SIN from the following link. (If you are an international student, please talk to your department head or someone from payroll division to see whether you need to apply for a SIN). You can download an application for a SIN from this website;
Download an application from the above link (Check under “Forms”) and complete it. Then, you should submit the completed application together with required documents (check under permanent residents or work permit/study permit) to the Saskatoon Service Canada Centre located at the following address in Downtown, Saskatoon;
Federal Building101- 22nd Street East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K0E2 Map
If you need more information on Saskatoon Service Canada Centre, such as telephone numbers, hours of service and a map to this centre, you can use the following link;
Number 2: Apply for Saskatchewan Health Coverage
Next important thing to register for is Saskatchewan Health Coverage. If you are new to Saskatchewan, you must register for health coverage. This is valid to both new international students and immigrants. As a general rule, coverage will begin on the first day of the third calendar month following the date you established residency here. You can download the application from the following link;
The completed application together with required documents (see the first page of application form for the required documents) should be mailed to the address given at the bottom of the first page of the application form. Once you submit the application, you will receive a Saskatchewan Health Services Card by mail. Make sure that you have that card when you go to a doctor. For more details on Saskatchewan health coverage, use the following link;
Number 3: Open a Bank Account
Next, you should open a Bank Account (a checking and a saving account). There are number of banks here. You can choice whichever you like. I have included links to some of these banks. You can go to their websites and see whether they offer what you want. Don’t go behind what they want to offer you. I personally bank with RBC and President’s Choice. I like their services and interest rates. I personally don’t like the bank accounts for which I have to pay monthly fee and other service fees. I don’t have such accounts. So…remember to bargain with your officer at the bank counter.
Consider these when you open a bank account:
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Open bank accounts with no monthly fee.
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Choose a bank that provides you free checks (Ex. President’s Choice Financial).
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Consider online banking.
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Choose the bank which give you the highest interest rate for your savings. Click here to find out current interest rates from different banks.
Click here to learn all about your banking rights and other relavent information.
To find out locations of these banks in the city, go to Google Map of Saskatoon, and type bank’s name in the search tab. It will show you all locations of the bank you want.
Number 4: Sign up for Utility Services (Phone, Power, Gas)
Sign up for utility services that include power, gas and home phone services for your appartment.
- For home phone service, Contact Sasktel or Shaw home phone services.
- For electricity, Contact Saskpower.
- For natural gas, Contact SaskEnergy.
- Click here to see the other utlily service providers in Saskatchewan.
If you have any question or need help, please contact me.
Dr. Sumith Priyashantha Saskatoon, SK, Canada. E-mail: priyashantha@yahoo.com
