Toronto
Contract checks and legal onboarding essentials.
You'll find that navigating work and legal basics in Toronto can be complex, especially for newcomers. Most newcomers are surprised by the mandatory 3-month waiting period for OHIP health insurance, so it's essential to apply on day one at a ServiceOntario location, such as the one on Yonge Street. Watch out for the need to have your professional credentials recognized, particularly for regulated professions like medicine, nursing, and engineering, which require professional licenses. To get started, you can explore Canada's main Permanent Residency pathway, Express Entry, which has three programs under it. You can begin by registering for an account on the Express Entry online system. Today, take the first step by visiting the ServiceOntario website to learn more about the OHIP application process and required documents.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Yonge Street · Experience date Jan 14, 2026
Applied for OHIP at a ServiceOntario on Yonge Street the day I arrived. There is a mandatory 3-month waiting period. During that time get private travel insurance — Manulife has newcomer plans.
Downtown · Experience date Apr 17, 2026
Registering a Canadian business in Ontario: Federal incorporation (CBCA — Canada Business Corporations Act) at corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca ($200 online), or Provincial incorporation (Ontario Business Corporations Act) at ontario.ca/businessregistry ($300). Alternatively: sole proprietorship (register a business name at Ontario Business Registry, $60). HST registration: mandatory if annual revenue exceeds $30,000. CRA Business Number: obtained during federal incorporation or separate CRA registration. Payroll account: if hiring employees, register for payroll deductions account. Most Toronto expats starting a small business: sole proprietorship or provincially incorporated company — simpler and cheaper. Federal corporation: advantages if operating nationally or planning to scale significantly.
Midtown · Experience date Jan 14, 2026
Canada's main PR (Permanent Residency) pathway: Express Entry (online system). Three programs under Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW — for professionals with foreign work experience), Canadian Experience Class (CEC — for those with Canadian work experience), Federal Skilled Trades (FST). How it works: create an Express Entry profile, receive a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score, wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in periodic draws. CRS score factors: age, education, work experience, language scores (IELTS or TEF French), job offer, Canadian education. Current CRS cutoffs: approximately 480–530 for regular FSW draws, lower for specific occupation draws. Timeline from ITA to PR: 6 months processing. Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): additional pathway for Ontario-specific nomination.
Bay Street · Experience date Jan 24, 2026
International students at Canadian post-secondary institutions: study permit required. Apply at ircc.canada.ca before starting studies. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): allows working in Canada after graduation for a period equal to the length of your study program (maximum 3 years for programs over 2 years). PGWP eligibility: must graduate from a designated learning institution (DLI), maintain full-time student status. Apply for PGWP within 180 days of graduation. PGWP is the most important document for students planning to stay in Canada long-term — it leads to Canadian work experience which dramatically improves CRS score for Express Entry PR application. Post-PGWP: apply for a new employer-specific work permit, or gain PR before PGWP expires.
Midtown · Experience date Mar 4, 2026
Government settlement services available to eligible newcomers in Toronto: COSTI Immigrant Services (free employment, language, and settlement support for immigrants), Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, WoodGreen Community Services. Ontario Works (social assistance): available to some low-income newcomers — permanent residents and some permit holders — $733/month for a single adult, $1,228/month for a couple. Employment Insurance (EI): available to workers who have accumulated 420–700 hours of insured employment and then become unemployed. Settlement agencies: valuable for job search, credential recognition, community orientation, and language support. These are publicly funded services — there is no stigma in using them and they are specifically designed for people in your situation.
Etobicoke · Experience date Dec 25, 2025
IRCC (ircc.canada.ca) is the Canadian federal immigration authority. Manages: visitor visas, work permits, study permits, PR applications, citizenship applications. Online portal: IRCC online account allows application status tracking. IRCC call centre: 1-888-242-2100 (long hold times — be patient). Processing times: updated weekly at ircc.canada.ca/processing-times. Biometrics: most applicants must provide fingerprints and photo at a local Application Support Centre — required for most permit and visa applications. IRCC updates its policies frequently — rely on the official website, not social media, for current rules. Immigration lawyers and consultants: useful for complex cases, but official IRCC information is free and accurate.
Scarborough · Experience date Nov 20, 2025
Obtaining Canadian citizenship: after being a Permanent Resident for 3 of the last 5 years (1,095 days physically in Canada). Requirements: 3/5 year physical presence, no criminal record, language proficiency (CLB 4 English or French), pass citizenship knowledge test (about Canada's history, values, government — study guide at canada.ca). Application fee: $630 CAD adult. Processing: approximately 24–36 months currently. Benefits: Canadian passport (very strong travel document — visa-free in 185 countries), full political rights, no PR renewal requirements. Dual citizenship: Canada allows dual citizenship — you generally don't need to renounce your home country citizenship. Start tracking your physical presence days carefully from your first day as a PR.