International students arriving in Toronto must quickly arrange banking, housing, communication, transportation, health coverage, and compliance with tax and work regulations. Proper planning can reduce costs, avoid legal issues, and help settle into the city’s high‑cost, competitive environment.
Banking and Payments
- Open a Canadian bank account – Required for bill payments, receiving wages, and transfers. You’ll need a Canadian address, identification, and proof of immigration status (e.g., study permit). Major banks such as TD, RBC, Scotiabank, and BMO offer newcomer or student packages.
- Interac e‑transfer – The most common way to send money between Canadian accounts.
- Credit card – Useful for building a Canadian credit history, which affects future loan eligibility and rental applications. Newcomers can apply for cards aimed at newcomers or secured cards that require a cash deposit. Canadian law mandates a minimum 21‑day grace period; paying the full balance before then avoids interest. Most retailers accept Mastercard or Visa; American Express is less common. Many cards have no annual fee.
Mobile Phone
- Prepaid SIM/eSIM – Available at the airport (often at a premium) or online/retail stores for immediate connectivity.
- Postpaid plans – Typically require a Canadian credit history. Major carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus) and their discount brands (Fido, Koodo, Chatr, Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile) provide a range of options.
Housing
- On‑campus residence – May be offered directly by the university.
- Off‑campus rentals – Commonly one‑ or two‑bedroom apartments; three‑bedroom units and “bachelor” (studio) units also exist. Listings appear on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Rentals.ca, and university housing portals.
- Tenancy rules – Governed by Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.
- Rent‑controlled units (built before 15 Nov 2018) – Rent can increase only once per year, up to the provincial limit (2.1 % for 2026).
- Non‑controlled units (built on/after 15 Nov 2018) – No cap on rent increases at renewal.
- Deposits – Landlords may collect a maximum of one month’s rent as a deposit, applied to the last month’s rent; damage deposits are prohibited.
- Utilities – May be included in rent or billed separately. Electricity is supplied by Toronto Hydro, natural gas by Enbridge, and water/waste by the City of Toronto. Some landlords require tenant (renter’s) insurance.
Transportation
- Public transit – TTC operates subways, buses, and streetcars; GO Transit provides regional buses and trains.
- Student monthly pass – $128.15 for unlimited TTC trips.
- Single ride – $3.30 for a two‑hour window, including transfers.
- Payment – Via PRESTO card, debit/credit card tap, or cash (exact change).
- Driving – Ontario licence required. Eligibility to exchange a foreign licence depends on the issuing country; consult the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Rental cars and car‑share services (e.g., Communauto) include liability insurance. Personal vehicle owners must purchase separate liability coverage.
- Bicycles – Bike Share Toronto and personal bikes are common; check transit rules for bike transport.
Grocery Shopping
- Major chains – Loblaws, Sobeys, No Frills, Metro, FreshCo, Food Basics, Walmart.
- Specialty stores – Navs Grocery, T&T Supermarket for international ingredients.
- Price‑matching – Many chains match advertised competitor prices if you present flyers.
- Delivery – Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats (additional fees apply).
- Food‑saving apps – FoodHero and Too Good to Go help reduce waste and cost.
Healthcare
- Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) – Not available to international students.
- University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) – Most public universities enroll students automatically; premiums are billed to the student account. Covers doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, and specialist referrals.
- Additional coverage – Colleges and private institutions may offer separate plans; check with the international student office.
- Exclusions – Dentistry, optometry, prescription drugs, and most paramedical services (physiotherapy, massage, counselling, etc.) are not covered by UHIP. Extended health plans may provide limited coverage for these items.
Taxes and Benefits
- Tax residency – International students are generally considered Canadian tax residents by the CRA.
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) – Required for work, tax filing, and accessing government programs. Apply online or at Service Canada centres (including a desk at Toronto Pearson Airport).
- Annual tax filing – Required if you owe taxes or have CPP contributions exceeding $3,500 from self‑employment. Filing can also unlock benefits such as the GST/HST credit and Ontario Trillium Benefit. The filing period runs from late February to the end of April for the previous tax year.
- Filing options – Use Canadian tax software, hire a professional, or attend free university tax clinics.
Employment
- Work authorization – Must be explicitly permitted on your study permit.
- Off‑campus – Up to 24 hours per week while classes are in session; unlimited hours during scheduled breaks (winter holidays, reading weeks, summer). The 24‑hour limit includes all off‑campus employment, both for employers and self‑employment.
- On‑campus – Unlimited hours if authorized.
- Start date – Work authorization begins only after the program’s official start date.
- Compliance – Violating work limits can jeopardize your study permit and future immigration applications, including eligibility for a Post‑Graduation Work Permit.
- Remote work – Work for non‑Canadian employers is exempt from the 24‑hour limit, as it does not enter the Canadian labour market.
Settlement Support
- Community organizations –
- WoodGreen – Provides assistance with housing, healthcare, education, and legal aid.
- COSTI Immigrant Services – Runs the International Student Connect (ISC) program offering settlement resources for students and families across Ontario.
- Caution – Settlement workers and peers may not be experts; verify information with official provincial/federal agencies or licensed professionals for immigration, tax, finance, or housing matters.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
