Benefits for newly landed immigrant

[Robert098]

I am a new landed immigrant of a family class sponsorship. What benefits one get as a new immigrant may be in terms of opening a bank account, credit card, student loan, living, access to recreation centre etc. Specifically for Alberta

 

[SocialMe]

I can speak towards banking.... I work at CIBC. If you just landed and bring your paperwork in, we will give you free banking for a year.

 

[SenoritaBella]

To build upon what the last poster said, after opening an account you need to start building your credit history. You do this by paying your bills on time. After about 6 months or more of steady bill payments, you may be eligible for a unsecured credit card or if you need one sooner, you can get a secured credit card.
I'm not familiar with the student loan process but you can find out more information from the education department website of your city/province.
With living, you can search for apartments or roommates on kijiji.ca. If you decide to have roommates, I would recommend that you meet them a couple times in public places(e.g. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, etc) to get a sense of who they are and get to know them and their lifestyle before you decide to move in with them.
The YMCA has very good recreational programs and some are geared towards immigrants.

 

[MadeInCanada]

To build upon what the last poster said, after opening an account you need to start building your credit history. You do this by paying your bills on time. After about 6 months or more of steady bill payments, you may be eligible for a unsecured credit card or if you need one sooner, you can get a secured credit card.
I'm not familiar with the student loan process but you can find out more information from the education department website of your city/province.
With living, you can search for apartments or roommates on kijiji.ca. If you decide to have roommates, I would recommend that you meet them a couple times in public places(e.g. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, etc) to get a sense of who they are and get to know them and their lifestyle before you decide to move in with them.
The YMCA has very good recreational programs and some are geared towards immigrants.

People actually meet perspective roommates on kijiji?! "Single White Female" running through my mind..... no way!

 

[MadeInCanada]

To the OP, If you Google the popular financial institutes you can find what they offer. Most do the first year free thing as already mentioned. Some are better in regards to credit cards.

A list of a few banks are:

TD, BMO, Credit Union, CIBC, Scotia Bank.

You can even Google something along the lines of your subject to the thread just add Canada, or even the city you are in.

Take Care
MadeInCanada

 

[SenoritaBella]

hahaha... you are funny. How do you suppose students find roommates in a new city? I've used it twice with success - the important thing is to meet with them first(public place always) and see if you have similar lifestyle. Better yet, when you put up your ad, specify the kind of roomie you are looking for and what you don't want.
Sometimes I got funny replies like one girl who told me she likes to "tong" a lot. After googling the word, I had to pass.

That said, if you can afford a place by yourself, it's worth it. There are some issues that come with having roommates especially if your lifestyles are dissimilar. I have my own place and wouldn't trade it for a roommate situation.

People actually meet perspective roommates on kijiji?! "Single White Female" running through my mind..... no way!

 

[Robert098]

I can speak towards banking.... I work at CIBC. If you just landed and bring your paperwork in, we will give you free banking for a year.

I already went to cibc branch to open an account. Nobody told us about this offer and we simply had a brand new checking account. Now i am back home for personal reason and will be back next year. could something be done?

 

[SocialMe]

I already went to cibc branch to open an account. Nobody told us about this offer and we simply had a brand new checking account. Now i am back home for personal reason and will be back next year. could something be done?

Actually yes... the offer is for new immigrants who have landed within 2 years... so just tell them you are interested in the one year free banking offer for new immigrants and that you weren't offered it when you first came.

Also, speaking to the other posters about credit cards.... At CIBC most credit cards are approved if you have employment... just wait a few months to show some stability. If you want it right away, you can add security to get it immediately.

 

[steaky]

hahaha... you are funny. How do you suppose students find roommates in a new city?

They can apply for dorms. They don't need to find because roommates will be assigned.

 

[amikety]

I already went to cibc branch to open an account. Nobody told us about this offer and we simply had a brand new checking account. Now i am back home for personal reason and will be back next year. could something be done?

You could also open an account with BMO or Superstore's President's Financial. They are free for life - none of this 1 year stuff. Many smaller banks have free accounts as well.

 

[AnaMaria]

I got funny replies like one girl who told me she likes to "tong" a lot. After googling the word, I had to pass.

I laughed at your comment so hard. I've been having difficult times these days and I had to force a smile on my face. Thanks for funny post (maybe it was serious ) I needed something to laugh at.

 

[BrazilianGirl]

Sometimes I got funny replies like one girl who told me she likes to "tong" a lot. After googling the word, I had to pass.

I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask: What is "to tong"? I tried to find it on Google, but I don't think I got it... ???

 

[amikety]

I dont know - so I'll let Senorita answer that BUUUUT....

I googled "What is tonging." I got webpages about French Kissing. It autocorrected "tonging" into "tonguing." Hilarious.

Then I did it again and got this: (Warning, this is very politically incorrect and may be offensive to some people....)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Tonging

 

[BrazilianGirl]

Hahaha....
I've heard once it was Kurt Cobain's favourite thing to do!
Hahahahaha....

 

[SenoritaBella]

Most students(including freshmen) don't live in dorms. Besides, even if roommates are assigned, they don't know each other.

They can apply for dorms. They don't need to find because roommates will be assigned.