Your First 30 Days in Calgary as a New Permanent Resident: A Checklist
In your first month in Calgary, focus on the essentials: apply for your Social Insurance Number (free, online or in person), register for Alberta Health Care (apply within 3 months of arriving), open a bank account, make sure your PR card will reach you, and book free settlement services. If you drive, you must exchange your foreign licence within 90 days of becoming an Alberta resident.
The checklist at a glance
| Task | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Social Insurance Number (SIN) | Week 1 | Online or at a Service Canada Centre (free) |
| Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) | Week 1–2 (within 3 months) | An Alberta registry office |
| Bank account | Week 1 | Any bank or credit union |
| Phone plan and address | Week 1 | Any provider |
| Check your PR card mailing address | As soon as you have an address | Your IRCC account |
| Free settlement services | Weeks 1–4 | IRCC-funded agencies in Calgary |
| Exchange your driver's licence | Within 90 days | An Alberta registry office |
| Register children for school | As soon as you have an address | Your local school board |
1. Get your Social Insurance Number
You need a SIN to work and to access government benefits. It's free. Apply online (the fastest option) or at a Service Canada Centre, where a complete application can be finished in one visit.
You'll need proof of identity and proof of permanent residence. Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is accepted only within one year of becoming a PR; after that, you'll need your PR card.
2. Register for Alberta Health Care
Apply for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) within 3 months of establishing residence. If you apply in time, you may be covered from the date you became an Alberta resident; if you apply late, coverage starts when your application is processed.
Bring your immigration documents (such as your COPR or PR card) to an Alberta registry office. Until your coverage starts, consider private health insurance.
3. Open a bank account and set up your basics
- Bank account: most banks have newcomer packages. Bring your passport and COPR.
- Phone number and address: you'll need both for almost every other step.
- Credit history: a secured credit card is a common way to start building Canadian credit.
4. Make sure your PR card reaches you
Your PR card is mailed to your Canadian address. If you didn't have an address when you landed, or you've moved, update it in your IRCC account so the card doesn't get lost. You'll need a valid PR card (or a travel document) to return to Canada by plane after travelling. Remember your residency obligation too: 730 days in Canada in every 5 years.
5. Use free settlement services
IRCC funds free services for permanent residents: help finding work, language classes, information about housing and schools, and community connections. Use IRCC's "find free newcomer services near you" tool to find agencies in Calgary. These services are free, so be wary of anyone charging for the same help.
6. Exchange your driver's licence within 90 days
If you're living in Alberta permanently, you must exchange your licence within 90 days of becoming a resident, even if you travel during that time.
- From a reciprocal country (for example, the U.S., the U.K., most of Europe, Australia, Japan or South Korea): you can usually exchange without tests. A full Class 5 needs proof of 2+ years of driving experience.
- From other countries: you'll take a knowledge test, get a Class 7 learner's licence, and may apply for an exemption to go straight to the Class 5 road test.
Bring original documents, with approved translations if they're not in English. Your foreign licence is surrendered.
7. Start your job search the right way
- Find out whether your occupation is regulated in Alberta, and contact the regulatory body early.
- Ask about getting your foreign education assessed through Alberta's International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), if it will help with employers.
- Ask your settlement agency about job search workshops and mentoring.
Common mistakes we see
- Waiting too long for Alberta Health Care. Apply within 3 months to avoid a gap in coverage.
- Driving on a foreign licence after 90 days. You must exchange it in time.
- Losing the PR card in the mail because the address in your IRCC account was out of date.
- Paying for services that are free through IRCC-funded settlement agencies.
Every situation is different. GLC Immigration Consulting can help in three ways:
- Consultation: a one-on-one session with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, to review your situation and your options.
- Full representation: we prepare and submit your application and act as your authorized representative with IRCC, from start to finish.
- Pre-submission review: you prepare your own application, and we review it for errors, gaps and risks before you submit.
To request full representation or a pre-submission review, or for any other question, email us at hello@gradlifecanada.ca.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first after landing in Calgary as a permanent resident?
Apply for your Social Insurance Number, register for Alberta Health Care, open a bank account and make sure your PR card will be mailed to the right address.
How soon do I need to apply for Alberta Health Care?
Within 3 months of establishing residence in Alberta. If you apply in time, you may be covered from the date you became a resident.
Can I drive in Alberta with my foreign licence?
Only for a limited time. If you're living in Alberta permanently, you must exchange it within 90 days of becoming a resident.
Is getting a SIN free?
Yes. There's no fee to apply for a Social Insurance Number.
Can I use my COPR to apply for a SIN?
Yes, if you use it within one year of becoming a permanent resident. After that, you'll need your PR card.
Fact-checked: Based on Service Canada's Social Insurance Number: Apply page, Alberta's Apply for health care coverage if you move to Alberta and Exchange a licence from outside Alberta pages, and IRCC's Understand permanent resident status page. Verified November 2, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
Book a consultation · hello@gradlifecanada.ca