Our app is currently In beta and we are still working on it.
Target Audience
The app is to help immigrants that have come to Canada
Founders
Aromal Mihraj
Harshdeep Matharhoo
Aarnav Shah
What to Learn?
Canada's languages, culture, history, and politics.
Expansion
We are going to expand our app to other countries.
First to do
When you first arrive in Canada, you will receive landing papers.
It is very important that you get these as soon as possible since they are a common document asked for in a variety of places.
To get this document, you need to fill out a Verification of Status Application (more information here).
Once you have this, you can verify yourself as a permanent resident, refugee, economic immigrant, or student.
Here are the definitions:
A Canadian permanent resident is someone who has been granted permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada.
A permanent resident is not a Canadian citizen; rather, all permanent residents are citizens of other countries. Your PR card can be used to show that you have permanent resident status in Canada.
If you travel outside Canada, you will need to show your card and your passport when you come back on a commercial vehicle, like an airplane, boat, train or bus.
PRs traveling outside Canada who do not have a valid PR card, or who are not carrying it, need to apply for a permanent resident travel document before returning to Canada by commercial vehicle.
The Refugee Class is for immigrants who are in need of protection and are unable or afraid to return to their home country and wish to settle in Canada.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor people from abroad who qualify to come to Canada as refugees.
Under the RAP (Repayment Assistance Plan), Canada provides income support to eligible refugees who are unable to meet their own basic needs.
A one-time household start-up allowance and a monthly income support payment are two types of assistance.
Economic immigrants include skilled workers, those with Canadian experience, and those qualifying under one of the business categories.
As of 2015, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers an electronic system called Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence under certain economic programs.
International students studying in Canada may apply for Canadian permanent resident status while studying in Canada or after completing their studies, provided they meet the requirements of the Canadian immigration program under which they apply.
Now you need to register/apply for programs and other necessary requirements.
Firstly, Canada provides many benefits for its residents, so it is important to take advantage of them.
Before claiming any or all of these benefits (among many others), you need a SIN or Social Insurance Number to acquire other benefits or government programs.
CCB
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is there to provide for children under your care.
Canada will pay for your childrens' needs based on how many children you have, your family income, and other factors.
The payment is for one year and should help considering it is your first year to get accustomed and even start working.
GST/HST Credit is specifically for low to middle income families who are now able to offset much of the required tax by simply filling out some forms.
Again, this is not solely based on net income but other factors as well.
Provincial/Territorial benefits are another main benefit provided based on where you live.
These benefits are again dependent on financial and family factors.
The Canadian Refugee and Protection Program is for people who have fled from other countries due to war, violence or other types of destruction.
When you first come to Canada, at the airport office you will have to fill out paperwork that will establish your refugee status.
The Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program is a system that helps refugees get back and rebuild their lives after their re-settlement in Canada by sponsoring specific refugees that applied for this program (giving food, shelter, clothes, and other necessities).
Organizations like this must sponsor their refugees for 1 year on a financial and emotional level; and if needed they will provide support for more years.
Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also support refugees which makes it a great place to seek help.
These organizations also help refugees find temporary housing and eventually permanent residence with financial support once they have become a legal citizen of Canada.
For more info visit this site.
Housing and renting
The housing market is constantly increasing at a rapid rate. Currently, homes near the GTA cost around 1.3 million dollars, but they will continue to increase.
The Federal Government of Canada recently announced $10 billion dollars which they will be investing into the housing market so that housing prices will lower by a bit.
Usually when you buy a home, you will need to get a loan from the bank in large sums of money. To do so, you will also need a good credit score to recieve a loan.
A mortgage is basically a way of paying that loan back to the bank with an additional interest rate.
Each bank has their own mortgage systems and interest rates that will depend on the initial cost of the house that you bought.
In Brampton, if you want to rent a medium-sized basement, the rent will be about 1.5k - 2.5k depending on where the house is located.
You also have to pay the rent to your landlords on time, they may let you pay late a couple of times, but if it becomes a habit then they can evict you.
When you are looking for a basement to rent, you want to find a good location, since you probably won't have a car and public transportation is necessary
Good locations may be near:
Your workplace
College/University
Schools
Stores
Regularly visited places
If you find a good location, you will have to commute less to get there, which will in turn save you money in the long run.
Before renting a basement (we suggest this as a good first choice), you will have to read and sign a lease, which you will also get a copy of.
In this lease, there will be many rules, regulations, and agreements which you must follow.
For example: no pets, no smoking/drinking, using the laundry machines on set days and times, only have a set number of cars in the driveway/garage, etc.
Once you do get the living space, keep it clean and in good condition so that you can build trusting relationships with your landlords who may grant you more privileges!
Utility bills are extra payments to your landlord that are included in the monthly rent.
They are the bills for the whole house's electricity, gas, water, and sometimes internet.
The landlords will state in the lease how much percentage of the bill the tenants must pay (e.g. 20%, 30%, 40%).
Jobs
Before you even settle down and find a place to rent, you will need a job or be studying in college/university for most landlords to give you a place to live.
Finding a job can also be difficult, at the start you won't find high paying jobs; that is achieved overtime in most companies.
Companies offering jobs will look for candidates who are fluent in multiple languages, so knowing English + other languages will definitely help in getting a job.
After you get a job and start earning an income, a portion of your earnings will be cut for the government and province, and this is called income tax.
The more you earn, the more the income tax percentage will increase. Reminder that this is to maintain a fair system.
You will also have to learn how to manage your money when you first immigrate as things can quickly add up if you don't keep a track on how much you are spending.
Remember if you are renting a basement/home you will have to pay rent, bills from landlord, groceries, transportation, and other expenses for extra needs/wants.
That is why it is important to learn the basics of money management.
Education
In Canada, it is a law and right that all children get education. There are many schooling options depending on where you decide to settle.
Each province and territory runs its own schooling system because of the different provincial governments.
You will always be eligible to the school that is nearest to you.
However, for higher studies and more reputable schools, the application process would be lengthy and unique for each one.
Another schooling method is homeschooling, homeschooling is done by tutors that can be hired.
It can also be done by guardians, however, it has to be done properly and the curriculum for the specific grade has to be covered.
Most well paying jobs require you to have some education (this can be through fluency in multiple languages, preferably French and English, or this can be by having basic knowledge of time-management, and financial literacy).
Some jobs require you to have a higher education while others look for different pre-requisites.
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