Settlement first-30-days plan (Canadian student arrival)

Draft a structured 30-day settlement plan for [CLIENT_NAME] arriving in [CITY] on [ARRIVAL_DATE] for [INSTITUTION].

DAY 1 — ARRIVAL
  □ At airport: present passport + Letter of Acceptance + Letter of Introduction (from IRCC) to CBSA officer
  □ Receive study permit on arrival (paper document — keep safe)
  □ Verify expiry date, conditions, work authorisation on the study permit
  □ Pickup baggage; if luggage delayed, file claim
  □ Transit to accommodation: prearranged airport pickup OR Uber / public transit

DAYS 1-3 — IMMEDIATE BASICS
  □ SIM card (Freedom Mobile / Rogers / Bell / Telus — student plans CAD 30-50/month)
  □ Buy weekly groceries
  □ Locate nearest grocery (No Frills, FreshCo, Walmart), bank, pharmacy
  □ Get the institution's welcome kit (orientation schedule, ID card, parking pass if applicable)

DAYS 3-7 — INSTITUTIONAL ENROLLMENT
  □ Attend orientation at [INSTITUTION]
  □ Activate student email + online portal
  □ Enroll in courses (deadline is usually 7-14 days from term start)
  □ Receive student ID card
  □ Photo + ID for student card
  □ Sign up for institution's health insurance (most universities have automatic coverage for international students — verify; some provinces require separate purchase)
  □ Library + IT account activation

DAYS 7-14 — GOVERNMENT ID
  □ SIN (Social Insurance Number) — REQUIRED for on-campus / off-campus work
    - Apply at Service Canada office (find nearest at canada.ca)
    - Bring: passport + study permit + Letter of Acceptance (sometimes required)
    - Result: SIN issued same day
  □ Provincial health card application — varies by province:
    - Ontario: OHIP not available for students; use UHIP/UHC
    - BC: MSP — 3-month wait; meanwhile use institution's iMED
    - Alberta: AHCIP eligible after 6 months; use institutional in interim
  □ If driving licence transfer planned: file at provincial transport ministry

DAYS 7-21 — BANKING + FINANCIAL
  □ Open Canadian bank account:
    - Best for newcomers: Scotiabank StartRight, TD New to Canada, RBC Newcomer Account, ICICI Bank Canada
    - Bring: passport + study permit + Letter of Acceptance + Indian passport address proof
  □ Receive debit card (1-2 weeks)
  □ Set up direct deposit for any on-campus work
  □ Withdraw GIC monthly amount (~CAD 1,700/month) to chequing
  □ Apply for student credit card (if eligible) — Tangerine / Brim / Scotiabank student card

DAYS 14-30 — INTEGRATION
  □ Public transit pass (institutional or municipal — TTC, Translink, etc.)
  □ Internet at residence if not included
  □ Set up apps: Tim Hortons, Loblaws PC Optimum, Presto/Compass card
  □ Connect with Indian student community at [INSTITUTION] — Punjabi / Tamil / South Indian / Gujarati associations
  □ Join university clubs aligned with career interests
  □ Schedule first family video call with full settlement update

DAYS 21-30 — ACADEMIC RHYTHM
  □ Establish study schedule
  □ Meet academic advisor
  □ Identify on-campus work opportunities (max 24 hrs/week off-campus + unlimited on-campus per current rules — verify)
  □ Submit any outstanding enrollment paperwork

KEY DOCUMENTS TO KEEP HANDY:
  • Passport (always)
  • Study permit (always — never leave it at residence)
  • Letter of Introduction from IRCC (kept until 6 months after expiry)
  • Letter of Acceptance from [INSTITUTION]
  • Proof of address (for SIN, bank, health card)

End with: "DRAFT SETTLEMENT PLAN — for [CLIENT_NAME]. Verify provincial health insurance specifics for [CITY] — varies significantly. Confirm current work-hour rules for international students at canada.ca."