Canada’s official currency is the Canadian dollar ($). There are 100 cents (¢) in a dollar ($). Coins have different sizes, shapes, and colours. They have nicknames that Canadians use in everyday life. These include:

Coin

 1¢: penny (the penny was removed from circulation in 2012)
 5¢: nickel
10¢: dime
25¢: quarter
 $1: loonie
 $2: toonie

Bank Notes (Bills)

In 2011, the Bank of Canada released a series of polymer banknotes or bills. Each bill is the same size but a different colour. The most common bills are:

   $5: blue
 $10: purple
 $20: green
 $50: red
$100: brown

Exchanging foreign money into Canadian money

Before coming to Canada, it is a good idea to change some money from your home country into Canadian dollars. You can also exchange money after you arrive. Most airports have foreign exchange offices. You can also get cash from automated banking machines (ABMs are also known as automated teller machines) using a foreign debit or credit card.

Sending money

If you send money through the mail, do not send cash. To send money, you may:

• Use a cheque or money order.
• Directly transfer money to another account at the bank. Buy a money order at the post office.
• Wire money through private money order or transfer services (ask an immigrant-serving organization).

Some of these transactions cost money. Make sure that you know the cost before you transfer money.

Cost of living

The cost of living varies greatly in Canada, depending on the province, territory, or city where you settle.

Tipping

A tip is some extra money you pay to reward the person serving you for their good work and courteous service. The standard amount for a tip is usually 15 percent of the bill.

Giving a “tip” for good service is often done in:

• Restaurants
• Bars
• Hotels
• Taxis
• Certain other situations when you had provided extra services.

In most cases, you should obtain a study permit if you want to study in Canada.

To be eligible to study in Canada

• You must have been accepted by a designated learning institution in Canada.
• You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your:
  • tuition fees
  • living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada and
  • return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada.
• You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada. You may have to provide a police certificate.
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary.
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.

Exceptions
In some cases, you do not require a study permit to go to school in Canada.

• If you wish to study in a short-term course or program
  You do not need a study permit if you plan to take a course or program in Canada that lasts six months or less. You must complete the course or program within the period authorized for your stay in Canada.
• Foreign representatives to Canada
  If you are a family member or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD), you may not need a permit to study in Canada. You should contact your embassy in Canada. Your embassy can contact the Office of Protocol at DFATD to find out whether you need a study permit.
• Members of foreign armed forces
  If you are a member of a foreign armed force under the Visiting Forces Act, you do not need a permit to study in Canada. If your family members, including minor children, want to study in Canada, they must meet the requirements.
• Foreign nationals who are Registered Indians in Canada
  If you are a citizen of another country who has Registered Indian status in Canada, you do not need a permit to study in Canada.

Note. Study and work permit holders from visa-exempt countries who received their permit on or before July 31, 2015, are expected to have an eTA as of March 15, 2016, to fly or transit to Canada. However, from March 15, 2016, until fall 2016, study and work permit holders who do not have an eTA can board their flight, as long as they have appropriate travel documents, such as a valid passport.
Applicants who are issued an initial study or work permit on or after August 1, 2015, will automatically be issued an eTA along with their permit. For work permit or study permit renewal applications, the eTA will not be automatically renewed. If you wish to exit and re-enter Canada by air, you will need to ensure that your eTA is still valid by consulting the Check Status Tool. If your eTA has expired, you will need to apply for a new one as soon as you can and before the end of the eTA transition period in fall 2016.

Reference

Canada Government

Canada Tax Office

Social Insurance Number

Major Bank

• Royal Bank
• TD Bank
• Bank of Montreal
• Scotia Bank
• CIBC

Find Jobs

A student must be accepted by a school in Canada that before they can qualify for a study permit (as of June 1, 2014). Consult the designated learning institutions list (DLI) for schools at the post-secondary level.

All primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically designated.

Contact information for provincial and territorial government ministries responsible for education

Alberta

• Elementary and Junior-Senior Schools
• Post-Secondary Schools (universities, colleges, etc.)

British Columbia

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Manitoba

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

New Brunswick

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Northwest Territories

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Nova Scotia

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Nunavut

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Ontario

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Prince Edward Island

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Quebec

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Saskatchewan

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

Yukon

• Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Post-Secondary Education (universities, colleges, etc.)

TERM

Secondary (Related terms: High school, Middle school):
An institution that provides an education to students who have completed elementary school. These schools usually include grades 9 through 12 (although, in some areas, they start with grade 7). In the province of Quebec, secondary grades are called grades 1 through 5.

College:
A stage of higher education that comes after high school. Colleges offer one- to three-year diploma programs in academic or technical subjects.

Additional information or documents
After the visa office receives your application, the visa office may request more information or documents. These may include the following:

Medical information
In most cases, you will need a medical examination. A visa officer will send you instructions if you need one. This may add more than three months to the processing time of your application. Find more information about medical examinations.
Security information
If you want to study in Canada, you and any family members who come to Canada with you, and who are 18 years of age and over, may have to provide police certificates. Find out more about the security checks.

The documents you need to enter Canada
When you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will greet you. The officer works for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA protects Canada's borders and points of entry.

The officer will ask to see your passport or travel documents. Even if you do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visa to enter Canada, the officer will ask you a few questions. The officer will make sure that you meet the requirements to enter Canada.

You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. You must demonstrate to the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada. You will also have to demonstrate to the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your approved stay.

Children under 18 should have valid identification with them. The documents a minor child needs to present depend on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone. Find out about the specific requirements for minor children.

The officer will stamp your passport or let you know how long you can stay in Canada. The period is usually six months. In some cases, the officer may limit or extend this period to cover only the planned purpose of your visit. Ask questions if you are not sure about anything.

If you do not obey the conditions of your eTA or visa, we will ask you to leave Canada. Most people asked to leave Canada have the right to a fair hearing to review the decision.

The CBSA officer will ask to see your travel documents when you arrive in Canada. Make sure they are not packed in your luggage, and that you have them with you. This will help speed up your entry to Canada.

You should be ready to show the following documents:

• a valid passport or travel document. Note: If you have an approved eTA, it will be linked to the passport that you used to apply for your study permit.
• the letter of introduction from the visa office that you received when your study permit was approved (this letter contains your permit reference number and the CBSA officer needs this letter to issue your study permit)
• a valid temporary resident visa (if required)
• a copy of the letter of acceptance from the designated learning institution at which you are accepted to study
• proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada and
• letters of reference or any other documents recommended by the visa office where you applied.

Carry these items and all other valuable papers, cash, and traveller’s cheques with you at all times. Do not put them in your checked luggage.

You may not be allowed into Canada if any of your documents are missing or if any of the information on your application or letters of reference is incorrect.

Possession of these documents does not guarantee entry. All persons must establish that they meet all the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations before being authorized to enter or re-enter Canada.

If there are no problems at the point of entry, the officer will let you enter Canada and will issue your study permit. You should:

• check the study permit to make sure your personal information is accurate and
• check the expiry date on your study permit. You must leave Canada by this date.

Temporary housing

One of your first needs after you arrive in Canada is a temporary place to stay until you can rent or buy a home. One option is to stay at a hotel or hostel.

Most hotels and hostels have a website with photographs, location, price, and a description of the services they offer. You can also use travel guides, forums, and other websites to find reviews. Learn more about hotels and hostels by reading the Welcome to Canada guide.

You can also contact an immigrant-serving organization in the city or town where you plan to settle. Ask if temporary housing for newcomers is available and how much it costs.

Refugees will get help finding temporary housing as part of the Resettlement Assistance Program.

Types of housing

• Rental apartments: most apartments have one, two, or three bedrooms. “Bachelor” units have a single room that serves as a living area and bedroom.
• Rental rooms: large homes are sometimes divided into several private bedrooms that you can rent.
• Condominiums (Condos): for more information on condominiums, see the Condominium Buyer’s Guide
• Houses: there are detached houses with surrounding properties, as well as semi-detached and townhouses where each house shares a wall with another.

Renting a Home

This guide is intended to provide the most common rental requirements across the country. However, landlord-tenant laws change from time to time in every province. This guide is not intended to provide legal advice. If you require specific legal advice, contact your local rental authority or a lawyer.

Rental issues can be similar in any area of the country, but authorities may treat them differently according to provincial or territorial legislation.

For both landlord and tenant, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Your rental agreement or lease should cover most rules and terms, but treatment of the rules and terms in your lease may vary depending on the province or territory of the rental property. Knowing the rules for where you rent currently is crucial because the legal statutes may differ from province to province. For example, determining when a landlord can enter residential premises with or without notice differs across the country. The types of dwellings that fall under provincial or territorial tenancy legislation also vary from province to province. For example, in some provinces, mobile home park residents are protected under the provincial tenancy legislation, while in others they are excluded. Equipped with the right information, both landlords and tenants will be better prepared to deal with issues that might arise.

NOTE
Refer to your province or territory for specific answers to your questions and valuable links to additional resources. Rental authorities and advocacy agencies are there to help you.

Buying a home

This guide is here to make things easier for you by providing the information you need to make a wise homebuying decision. This section provides examples and worksheets that will guide you through the entire homebuying process, from the moment you make the decision to buy your own home to the moment the movers carry the first box through the front door. It couldn't be easier!

In this Section:

Step 1: Is Homeownership Right for You?
Buying a home is one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions you'll ever make. Prepare by learning about the process of home buying and the responsibilities of homeownership.

Step 2: Are You Financially Ready?
This step guides you through some simple calculations to figure out your current financial situation, and the maximum home price that you should consider.

Step 3: Which Home is Right for You?
Once you have a good idea about your finances, you’ll need to think clearly about the home you’d like to buy. You need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.

Step 4: The Buying Process
Before you start searching for a home you need to think about your current and future housing needs and what characteristics are important to you in a home.

Step 5: Now That You're a Homeowner
Practical advice for homeowners on their financial responsibilities as well as the importance of home maintenance and renovations.

Words to Know When Buying a Home
This glossary provides simple yet accurate definitions of certain terms you may encounter in the Homebuying Step by Step guide.