Brantford•Brant Checklist

• Make sure you have a valid travel document, a valid visa and confirmation of Permanent Residence for you and each family member traveling with you
• Check Citizenship and Immigration Canada for a list of other essential and important documents for your move to Canada, and for a list of which items can and cannot be brought into the country
• Save enough money to cover living expenses, such as rent, food, clothing and transportation, for up to six months
• Pack clothing for all weather conditions: hot, cold and rainy
• Prearrange a place to stay for your first few nights.
• Look at Employment in your field, before you arrive
• Look into having your Foreign Credentials recognized in Canada or Employment Ontario.
• If possible, have the following work-related documents translated into English: a resume of your education, work and volunteer experience, skills and qualifications; diplomas, degrees, certificates and other proof of qualifications; school records or transcripts; and letters of recommendation.

• Visit the Immigrant Settlement Services – YMCA of Brantford located at 38 Darling Street, Suite 201 in Brantford.
• Find Temporary Housing for your first few nights in Brantford
• Exchange your money for Canadian currency at a bank
• Apply for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) , a publicly funded program that covers basic health care services after you have lived in Ontario for 3 months.
• Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) , which you are required to have to work in Canada.

• Visit Immigrant Settlement Services - YMCA of Brantford to help you get settled in Brantford • Brant. On-site staff is able to serve clients in English, Spanish, French, Urdu, and Punjabi. Interpretation and Translation is also available in 33 languages.
• Look for permanent housing in Brantford • Brant. The Newcomers Guide to Canadian Housing can help you in this process.
• Opening a Bank Account. Here is a list of Banks in Brantford • Brant.
• Set up essential services such as utilities.
  Reliance Home Comfort (Water/Heat)
  Union Gas (Water/Heat)
  Brantford Power (Hydro)
  Brant County Power (Hydro)
  Bell Canada (Telephone)
• Find someone who will act as a reference or a co-signer for your apartment and or mortgage
• Registering your child for school (see Education and Schools in Brantford • Brant).
• Arrange Childcare for your children if you will be working
• Apply for the Child Tax Benefits, a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18
• Find medical care in Brantford • Brant. Complete a Doctor Search to see if any doctors are accepting patients in Brantford • Brant.
• Have your children immunized once you have arrived in Brantford • Brant
• Apply for an Ontario driver's license
• Visit a library in Brantford • Brant to obtain a free card and learn more about the various programs and services offered.
• Register for Language Training to improve your skills or to learn English as a second language
• Employment services and job search websites are available to help you with your search for a job.
• Start volunteering to gain Canadian work experience