Your First Year as a New Permanent Resident: A Checklist
Landing is a start, not a finish. The practical items to handle in your first year as a permanent resident of Canada.
Soon after you land
- Confirm your PR card is on its way and the address on file is correct.
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number.
- Register for provincial health insurance as soon as you are eligible.
- Open a bank account and understand how credit history works in Canada.
Protect your status
Permanent residents must meet a residency obligation: IRCC says you need at least 730 days of physical presence in Canada within any five-year period, which do not need to be continuous. An expired PR card does not end your status, and falling short does not automatically end it either, but long absences early on can put your status at risk.
It is easy to underestimate how quickly days away add up, especially for people who keep a home or job in the US. Track your days from the start and plan trips accordingly.
Settling in practically
- Find housing and understand the tenancy rules in your province
- Learn how the tax system works and file your first return
- Check whether your professional credentials need provincial recognition
- Get a driver’s licence, noting that rules for converting a US licence vary by province
Plan for the longer term
- Track your days in Canada from the start if you intend to apply for citizenship.
- File Canadian taxes correctly.
- Keep documents safe, including your landing paperwork.
- Consider whether to keep or close US financial accounts, and seek tax advice.
A worked example
A hypothetical new permanent resident lands in Canada and immediately sets up her essentials: a Social Insurance Number, a bank account, and provincial health registration. She keeps a simple log of every day she is in Canada and every trip she takes.
Months later, a family event requires a long stay in the US. Because she has been tracking her days, she knows how much room she has under the residency obligation and plans the trip accordingly. Small habits at the start give her flexibility later and protect her status.
Questions to bring to your assessment
- How much time must I spend in Canada to keep my permanent resident status?
- What are the tax implications of moving from the US to Canada?
- How should I handle my US accounts, retirement plans, and property?
- When would I become eligible for citizenship, and how do I track my days?
- What documents should I keep safe from my landing?
Common questions, answered
- Can I leave Canada soon after I land? You can, but you must meet the residency obligation over time. Long absences early in your status can put it at risk, so track your days from the start.
- Do I need a PR card to travel? A permanent resident card or a travel document is generally needed to return to Canada by commercial carrier, so make sure yours has arrived before you plan trips.
- When can I apply for citizenship? After you meet the physical presence requirement and the other conditions. Track your days from the day you land so you know when you are eligible.
Keep reading
For more background, see the path to citizenship and status services.
Talk it through
The habits you set in year one protect your status and your later citizenship application. See the PR card guide, and book a free assessment if you have questions about the residency obligation.
Reading isn't enough.
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