Get settled in Ontario
Everything you need to know about moving to and settling in Ontario.
Before you arrive
The Government of Canada provides free in-person and online services to help you better prepare and adjust to life in Canada. These services can help you with living and working in Canada, getting your education, work experience and professional licenses/certificates recognized, and connecting with employers and with free support services when you arrive.
Learn more about pre-arrival services.
Do a free online test to get an idea of your English or French skills and find out if you need language training.
Find a settlement agency
Settlement agencies help newcomers and refugees find the services they need to settle in Ontario.
They can help you:
- get settled in your community
- find housing, a job or childcare
- register your children in school
- access programs (such as English or French classes, employment services, skills training and foreign credential assessment)
- get information about healthcare and social services
- find an interpreter or translator
These services are free and are available in multiple languages in communities across Ontario. Many agencies also deliver programs for newcomer and refugee youth.
Type in the name of your city or town to find a settlement agency near you:
Learn more about:
- orientation and information sessions for newcomers to Ontario
- settlement services provided by the Government of Canada
- Other settlement services
After you arrive
Find housing
You can choose to rent, buy a home or find temporary housing until you can find a more permanent place to live.
Temporary housing
If you need help finding emergency housing, visit either:
- Settlement.org
- the Housing Help Association of Ontario online or by:
Renting
There are many places to look for rental housing in Ontario. You can:
- search on the internet and classified sections of rental housing publications
- speak with a real estate agent
- look at bulletin boards in grocery stores, libraries, laundromats, health clinics, thrift stores, community centres, service clubs or real estate offices
- talk to relatives or coworkers
If you choose to rent, you must:
- Fill out a rental application form and submit it to the landlord
- Sign a lease agreement (a legal agreement between you and your landlord that includes how much your rent will be and your rights and responsibilities
- Give a deposit, usually in the form of a cheque or money order, which covers the cost of the first and last month’s rent
- Pay your monthly rent on time to the landlord (usually in the form of a cheque)
Rent deposits
Your landlord can collect a rent deposit only if they ask for it on or before the day that you enter into a lease agreement. It cannot be more than one month’s rent or the rent for one rental period, whichever is less.
For example, if rent payments are made weekly, the deposit cannot be more than one week's rent; if rent payments are made monthly, the deposit cannot be more than one month's rent.
The rent deposit must be used for the rent for the last month before the tenancy ends. It cannot be used for anything else, such as to pay for damages.
Learn more about:
- frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to renting
- renting your first home in Canada (PDF)
- how much it costs to rent an apartment in Ontario
- your rights as a tenant in Ontario
Buying
In Canada, homebuying is controlled by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
If you choose to buy a home, you must either:
- pay the full cost of the home, including all fees and taxes
- get a loan from the bank to pay for the home and have enough money to cover:
- the down payment on the home
- all fees and taxes
Learn more about:
Enrol your children in school
In Ontario all children between the ages of 6-18 must attend school (either a publicly-funded, private or home school).
Most children can attend a publicly-funded school for free regardless of their immigration status or the status of their parents. Contact your local school board for more specific information.
Private schools charge a fee or tuition to attend. Contact private schools directly to learn more.
Public schools
The publicly-funded education system is broken down into three stages:
- choice of English, French and/or Catholic education
- typically begins in kindergarten and ends in Grade 8
- students will:
- learn and understand the foundations of reading, writing and math
- choice of English, French and/or Catholic education
- typically begins in Grade 9 and ends in Grade 12
- students will:
- focus on their interests and prepare for graduation and beyond
- for college, university and post-graduate students of all ages
- you must pay for your tuition and books – you can apply for grants and loans to help you pay for university or college through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
Learn more about:
- how to enrol your child in school
- find elementary and secondary schools in your community
- full-day kindergarten for children aged 4 and 5
- key dates in the school year, including holidays (for elementary and secondary schools)
- going to college or university in Ontario
Private schools
The government does not pay for private schooling. You must pay for that on your own.
Learn more about private:
Some private career colleges are approved for OSAP (help with paying for school). Find out if your school is approved.
Learn English and French
There are a number of programs available to help you test or improve your English and French language skills, before and after you move to Ontario.
Classes are available:
- during the day, at night or on weekends
- for people with beginner to advanced skill levels
You don’t have to pay for classes. School boards may charge a small fee for registration or supplies. Find out if you are eligible for this free program.
Services for French-speaking Immigrants
French-speaking newcomers are eligible for all provincial settlement services, including English and French language training, the newcomer settlement program, as well as programs to help you continue your career in Ontario.
Find information in French to help you get settled in Ontario.
Learn more about federal services to help you build your life in French in Canada.
Find a job
There are many government-funded programs, community centres and settlement agencies that can help you:
- find work
- improve your resume and interviewing skills
- gain the Canadian experience and skills you need to succeed
Learn more about jobs and employment in Ontario.
Continue your career in Ontario
Learn about the services available in Ontario to help you continue working in your profession or trade if you’ve been trained in another country.
In Ontario, the government sets rules and laws for over 100 professions and trades in the province. This helps to protect the health and safety of workers and the public.
Ontario has programs to help you get started, including
Open a bank account
A bank account makes it easier to manage your money and keep it safe.
You can open a bank account even if you don’t have an address, a job or money to put in the account right away.
To open an account:
- find at least two pieces of acceptable, original identification (the bank will not accept photocopies)
- select the bank
- go to the bank in person
- tell them you’d like to open a new account
Once the account is opened, make sure to request a cheque book. You may need them later to put a deposit on a home or pay rent.
Learn more about:
Learn about tax credits and benefits
Learn about taxes in Ontario and what they support, including tax credits you can get to help you with living and business costs.
Request a free seminar to get information on:
- the tax credits and benefits that you may qualify for
- how to apply for them
- how to obtain additional information
To request a free seminar for your group of 35 or more attendees, email taxinfotaxe@ontario.ca or call
The seminar is one hour long and includes a general question and answer period.
Get health care
If this is an emergency and you don’t have an OHIP card, call 911 on your phone or go to your nearest hospital.
OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) is Ontario’s health care plan. Through OHIP, the province pays for many of the health services you may need.
You need to apply and, once you’re approved, you’ll get an Ontario health card which proves you’re covered by OHIP. You’ll need to show your health care every time you see your doctor, visit an emergency room, have a medical test or go for surgery.
It can take up to three months for your OHIP coverage to begin after you’ve been approved. During this time, you may want to consider buying private health insurance.
To apply:
- get an application form:
- collect all of the documents you need
- fill out the form and deliver it in-person to ServiceOntario
Some groups who are not eligible for OHIP may be eligible for limited basic health-care benefits under the Interim Federal Health Program.
Learn more about:
- who is eligible for OHIP
- how to apply for a health card
- what services are covered by OHIP
- how to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner
- Mental Health Helpline
- buying private health insurance for immigrants, newcomers and visitors
If you don’t have an OHIP card
If you don’t have private insurance but need to see a doctor before the three month waiting period is over call 911 if it’s an emergency.
For non-emergencies, contact:
- Telehealth at
Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000 for free, medical advice over the phone - your local Community Health Centre, you may be able to get health services
- a settlement agency in your community who can help you find health services
- apply for Interim Federal Health Program coverage if you are a refugee claimant or victim of human trafficking
- visit a walk-in clinic and pay directly for services (you will not be refunded for these services)
Find child care
In Ontario, there are 2 types of child care available to you:
- licensed – regulated by the government
- unlicensed – not regulated by the government
There may be waitlists for licensed child care spaces, so start searching as soon as possible.
Find licensed childcare in your community
Learn more about:
- how to choose quality child care and questions to ask your child care provider
- all of the types of child care available to you
- child care resources from Settlement.org
Get a driver’s licence
If you already have a valid driver’s licence from another province, state or country, you can use that licence for 60 days. After 60 days, you need to switch to an Ontario driver’s licence.
Apply to exchange an out-of-province licence.
If you do not have a valid driver’s licence but want to drive in the province you must be at least 16 years old and have an Ontario driver’s licence.
Once you pass an eye test and a written test about the rules of the road, you can apply for:
- a G class licence, if you want to drive a car, van and/or small truck
- an M class licence, if you want to ride a motorcycle, motor scooter and/or moped
Get a G driver’s licence for new drivers.
Learn more about:
- getting a motorcycle licence
- the Driver’s Handbook, the guide to help you study for your written test
- what happens if you are convicted of breaking driving laws
Transportation
Public transportation
Public transportation is available in most cities and regions across the province. You can choose from:
- local or regional buses
- transportation services for people with disabilities
- trains
- private coach buses
- streetcars or subways (in Toronto)
You have to pay for most public transportation in the province. The price of the fare can be different depending on your age, location and destination.
Learn more about:
- transportation for seniors and people with short and long-term disabilities
- public transit in your city or region
- GO Transit trains and buses
- VIA rail trains and schedules
School transportation
Contact your local school board if you need to arrange transportation, to and from school, for your children.
Who to call during an emergency
If this is an emergency, call 911.
Ontario has an emergency preparedness system in place to alert people about:
- winter storms
- thunderstorms
- forest fires
- tornadoes
- floods
- extreme heat
- nuclear emergencies
- health outbreaks
- earthquakes
Learn more about how to prepare for an emergency.
Buy products and services
Before you make a purchase, learn your rights and find the information you need to know to protect yourself. You should know that you have rights related to:
- contracts and memberships
- credit, loans and debt
- funerals and disposing of human remains
- homes and renovations
- social and relationship contracts
- shopping
- travel and entertainment
- vehicle purchases, repairs and towing
Learn more about consumer protection in Ontario.
Contact us
If you have questions about your rights as a consumer please call Consumer Protection Ontario at: