Une chose à la fois — votre première semaine, étape par étape.
1. Apply for your SIN as soon as possible
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is the first step. No SIN, no legal work. Service Canada — free, often done the same day.
2. Get temporary housing
Book temporary housing for 2 to 4 weeks. That gives you time to visit apartments in person without pressure.
3. Open a bank account
Walk into a bank with your passport, your PR card, your SIN, and a proof of address. All major banks offer a free package for the first year. See our Open a bank account in Quebec.
4. Get a cell phone plan
A Canadian number is needed everywhere. Compare before signing. See our Choosing a mobile plan in Quebec.
5. Get your OPUS card (in Montreal)
In Montreal, get an OPUS card in your first days. See our Using the metro and bus in Montreal (STM).
6. Register with RAMQ
RAMQ is Quebec's public health insurance. Register online. Watch out for the 3-month waiting period. See our Get your RAMQ health insurance card.
7. Register for free French classes
Register with Francisation Québec. Free courses, beginner to advanced. See our Learning French free with Francisation Québec.
8. Recap: your sample week
Check each step as you go — your progress is saved if you're signed in:
- Day 1 — Rest and pick up a SIM card
- Day 2 — SIN at Service Canada
- Day 3 — Open a bank account
- Day 4 — Visit a few apartments
- Day 5 — OPUS card and first trips around the city
- Day 6 — Online registration with RAMQ
- Day 7 — Rest and explore your neighbourhood
9. Comparing the steps at a glance
Summary of the seven steps with required documents, typical delay, and cost.
The SIN is the cornerstone — without it, you can't open a bank account or sign a work contract. Do it first.
RAMQ triggers a three-month waiting period during which you aren't covered; register as soon as possible so the period starts running, even if you don't yet have permanent housing — you can update your address later.
For the bank account, walk into a branch rather than going online during your first weeks: an in-branch advisor has access to newcomer programs that don't always show up in digital flows.
| Step | Documents to bring | Typical delay |
|---|---|---|
| SIN — Service Canada | Passport, PR card / visa | Same day |
| Temporary housing | Credit card, ID | Online booking |
| Bank account | Passport, PR card, SIN, proof of address | Same day |
| Mobile plan | ID, payment method | Same day |
| OPUS card (Montreal) | ID (photo if reduced fare) | Immediate at the station |
| RAMQ registration | PR card, proof of address, birth certificate | 4 to 6 weeks for the card |
| Francisation Québec | ID, immigration status | Reply in a few weeks |
10. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from newcomers about the first week in Quebec: in what order to do the steps, whether permanent housing is needed before RAMQ, how to get medical coverage during the waiting period, and what to do if you don't speak French on arrival.
In what order should you do these steps?
The fixed order is:
- SIN first (everything else depends on it)
- then bank account (which requires the SIN)
- then mobile plan (some carriers ask for a Canadian banking relationship)
RAMQ can start in parallel as soon as you have an address, even a temporary one. OPUS, French classes, and apartment hunting can run in parallel in any order.
The trap to avoid: signing a long lease before visiting in person. Temporary housing is your shield against that mistake.
Do you need permanent housing before registering with RAMQ?
No. RAMQ requires a Quebec address but accepts a temporary address (Airbnb, hotel, staying with a friend) for the initial registration.
The sooner you register, the sooner the three-month waiting period starts running, and the sooner you are covered. Once your permanent lease is signed, update your address through your RAMQ online account or by phone.
Don't postpone registration waiting for the perfect address; a month lost waiting is a month later you'll be covered.
How do you get medical coverage during the RAMQ waiting period?
Buy temporary private insurance for the first three months — sometimes called *newcomer insurance* or *visitor to Canada insurance*. Several insurers (Sun Life, Manulife, Blue Cross, Desjardins, and specialized brokers) offer plans designed for exactly this coverage gap.
Cost varies by age and coverage but typically runs from a few hundred dollars to about $1,500 for the three months. Don't skip this step: an ER visit without coverage can cost thousands of dollars.
Some employer group plans apply from day one and may fill the gap — check before paying for a separate plan.
What if you don't speak French when you arrive?
Don't let the language slow down your steps. Most federal services (Service Canada for the SIN, banks, mobile carriers) operate fully in English. Provincial services (RAMQ, Francisation Québec) work primarily in French, but most agents speak some English and adapt.
Bring a French-speaking friend or use Google Translate for in-person interactions if you aren't confident. Then register with Francisation Québec immediately — free courses from beginner to advanced are the fastest path to autonomy.
In three to six months of regular classes, most everyday transactions become possible in French.
11. Official sources
For official information, visit these pages:
You can also call Services Québec at 1-877-644-4545.
12. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Get your Social Insurance Number (SIN) — the essential first-days step, to be done before anything else.
- Open a bank account in Quebec — the second step once you have your SIN, to be done in week one.
- Get your RAMQ health insurance card — to register online in your first week so the waiting period starts running.
Author's Note: Keep this list close, and check off each step. The feeling of progress is precious. One step at a time, and everything will be done before you know it.
