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What mistakes should I avoid when moving to Canada?

Immigration is a life-changing experience. It’s exciting to start a new life in a new country, but it’s easy to forget all the challenges you’ll face when settling into your new home.

Here is a list of the most common mistakes newcomers make when moving to Canada to help you avoid making them yourself.

Not Researching the Province or City Well

Make sure you understand the province and city you are relocating to by researching the local neighbourhoods, culture, and labour market. Learn the key facts about where you want to live in Ontario to help you make smart financial decisions and build a successful settlement path.

A big part of learning about your new destination is learning about local processes. Every newcomer experiences a learning curve on how things are done locally and will find aspects very different from how things are back home. This can include social interactions and systemic processes like renting a home or opening bank accounts and getting the necessary ID to apply for social services.

Do your research and be patient with your journey.

Not Enough Research on Housing and Where to Live

Canada is experiencing a shortage of rental housing all over the country, particularly in major cities. The housing crisis is even more significant if you plan to live in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Research the costs of living in different parts of Ontario and all the requirements you will need to meet to rent a home. See our How much does it cost to rent a place in Ontario? list to get an idea of the rent costs across Ontario.

Relying Too Much on your Own Culture Once you Arrive

It’s normal for you to feel socially isolated in those earlier days and to miss your friends and family, traditional foods and cooking methods, and general way of life back home. Culture shock is a real thing. Many newcomers seek out ethnocultural community groups to stay connected with what is familiar to them. Canada is a diverse country accepting of all cultures, so you will likely easily find communities of your ethnicity, especially if you live in metropolitan areas. Making these connections your only social network, though, can delay your integration.

Adopting a more balanced approach is important because socializing only within your culture can set you back in language learning and adapting to Canadian norms. In professional contexts, having friends only within your own culture can also lead to challenges in adapting to local work norms and can create misunderstandings in communication. Canadian employers put a lot of emphasis on cultural fit, and when they ask for “Canadian experience,” they expect you to be able to adapt to Canadian etiquette at work.

Not Signing up for Settlement Services Sooner

Living through the experiences of others can be helpful, but the settlement process is constantly evolving and changing. What may have worked for someone five years ago may be different now. Settlement service providers have the most updated information on the free programs that serve immigrants and refugees and can help you create a personalized plan to achieve your goals.

You could miss out if you don’t sign up for settlement services when you arrive. Canada offers many free government-funded programs to help you navigate the complexities of moving. You will get help with language, housing, Canadian employment requirements, job-search application and interviewing, community mentorships and networks to help you adapt, as well as community connection programs.

Unrealistic Expectations About Credential Recognition

No matter how good and extensive your qualifications are back home, it won’t be an easy transition to having them recognized in Canada. This may be the greatest challenge you will face re-starting your career as an internationally educated professional. Some professions in Canada are regulated and require a license or certificate to practice. Your possibilities of getting a job in your field could be delayed if you don’t do the proper research on what you’ll need to do to have your international credentials recognized.

Firstly, find out if your occupation is regulated in Ontario. Research what kind of training and equivalency tests you will need to pass to get certified in Ontario. There are various programs to help you get your qualifications to practice your profession. Check out the Work in your Profession or Trade page from the Ontario Government website for more information.

Overstaying in Survival Jobs

Survival jobs are not related to your profession or area of study but are necessary to survive financially. Many newcomers take any work they can get as a first step to entering the Canadian job market. Survival jobs are a necessity if you can’t find work in your field right away. However, remaining stuck in a survival job can create more confusion because it takes time away from researching and finding a suitable job in your career. Over time, this breaks down your self-esteem and prevents you from building the career you actually want.

You can enhance your immigration experience and increase your chance of an easier transition by being mindful of some potential pitfalls and taking proactive steps to address them.