• Get your work permit or visitor's record at the airport, after the passport control. Make sure it is spelled correctly and marked CUAET at the bottom of the document.

  • Stop at the kiosk for Ukrainians at Montreal airport (Pierre Elliot Trudeau, YUL), located in the waiting area. The kiosk is open from 13:00 - 23:00 every day. CSAI staff will meet you there. They will give you lots of useful information, and provide a hotel for the first week or two, you need it. There will be an option to extend up to 14 days (no guarantee).

    • Where to look for lodging for the first time

  • [ ] Get your SIN from Service Canada. You can type “Service Canada” into Google Maps to find the one nearest you. You can arrive without an appointment and bring your passport and work permit or visitor record. See more: How to get a SIN (Social Security Number)

  • [ ] Open a bank account. A lot of information about Canada's major banks is collected here: Банковская сфера. Besides the main banks, there is also Caisse populaire Desjardins. You can read about their offers for newcomers from Ukraine here (https://www.desjardins.com/ca/landing-page/measures-ukraine/ukrainian.jsp). This bank gives you a credit card right away, without having a job. They usually require an appointment to open an account. Call your nearest branch to set up an appointment.

    • In Montreal there is the Desjardins Ukrainian Cashier's Office: https://www.desjardins.com/ca/your-caisse/about-caisse/?transit=81530347 where you will be served in Ukrainian.

  • [ ] Get your mobile SIM card / data plan

    • Read all about providers here: Мобильная связь
    • Compare prices using this site: https://www.planhub.ca/quebec/compare-cellphone-plan.

  • [ ] Sign up for public health insurance, RAMQ. See Registration for RAMQ insurance

    ✅ All new arrivals under the CUAET program are covered by the Province of Quebec's insurance (RAMQ) from first day of arrival. Be sure to sign up for RAMQ upon arrival and get a card.

    !! Unfortunately, it appears that access to RAMQ has not been removed for Ukrainians, except children under 18.

  • [ ] Apply for one-time financial assistance from Canada: click here

  • [ ] If needed, you can apply for financial support from the province of Quebec. You can apply online at this link. There you will need to provide scans of your passport, visa, work permit. This help can be given for 6 months. After this you can apply again, if you need. —> Update summer 2024 — this special program is no longer available.

  • [ ] Go visit newcomer aid organizations

    • Click on the triangle for a list of organizations or FB groups that can provide help. Government settlement organisations help with settling in to a new city, finding a job, signing your children up for school, etc.

  • [ ] Sign up for the medical exam for a work visa (fee).

    • search for an approved doctor here: https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx
    • Once you pass the exam, apply to remove the restrictions on your work permit if you need to. How to Remove Restrictions from Work Permit

  • [ ] Sign up for a free health check for newcomers to get to see specialists more quickly, or get help from social workers. (Read more here: Mедицина в Квебеке)

  • [ ] Sign up for French courses https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/learn-french. Without French, it's much harder to get a job in Quebec and almost impossible to get a permanent residency.

    • There is a choice of full-time (temps plein / full time) or part-time (temps partiel / part time) courses. All courses are free and you pay a stipend. Registration for full-time courses is made on the MIFI website exclusively, and requires you to have a fixed address. Once you've registered, you will receive an invitation to the course, depending on availability (you may have to wait a couple of months). If full-time, they pay $205 per week, + $25 for transportation, and $25 for childcare.
    • For part-time courses, you can enroll directly at an institution that is more convenient for you. You can find the list here at the link in the first paragraph. For part-time, you can get $26 a day.

  • [ ] If you have a driver's license, sign up for a driving test - you can only drive with your Ukrainian license for 6 months. During this time, you need to pass the theory and practice and get your Quebec license. Signing up for both takes a lot of time. You are advised to register at the following link: https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/canadian-foreign-drivers-licence

  • [ ] Job Search:

    • Finding a job link from the Quebec main page

  • [ ] Search for permanent housing

    • The most popular housing search sites in Quebec are kijiji.ca (and a similar app) and facebook groups and marketplace. Without a job and credit history it can be hard to rent an apartment, so we advise to look for it via FB groups where apartments are shared by those who are loyal to your situation.
    • In Quebec, the size of apartments is stated like this: 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 = studio, 3 1/2 is one bedroom, lounge/hall, and kitchen, separately, 4 1/2 is 2 bedrooms, lounge, and kitchen, etc. Most apartments are rented without furniture, sometimes without a stove and a refrigerator.