Social insurance number
The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required not only to be able to work, but also to receive certain government benefits and pay taxes.
It is a simple, free process that can be completed online via the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website, or in person at a Service Canada Centre.
The SIN is a unique and strictly confidential number, which is only shared with your employer, certain financial institutions and certain public government bodies to receive social benefits.
You must renew your SIN each time you renew your permit or change your status.
Bank account
You will need to open a bank account to receive your salary and any social benefits.
Most banking and financial institutions have special offers for newcomers, whether they are permanent or temporary residents.
Health coverage
Anyone coming to Quebec to work or study must have valid health insurance coverage. However, several situations may arise.
Case of temporary foreign workers: In principle, TFWs are eligible for the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ), which offers free, universal access to health care. This applies to holders of one of the following permits:
- Closed work permit, linked to an employer in Quebec;
- Post-graduation work permit (PGWP);
- Transitional open work permit (TOWP);
- Open work permit under the International Mobility Program Plus (IMP+);
- Open work permit for more than 6 months, granted to a person applying for permanent residence and employed for more than 6 months;
- Open work permit for vulnerable workers (OWP-V).
If a social security agreement has been signed between Quebec and the TFW’s country of origin: TFWs can then register with RAMQ as soon as they arrive after obtaining a certificate from their home social security organization confirming their previous coverage in that country.
Otherwise, a waiting period applies: Other TFWs are subject to a 3-month waiting period before registering with RAMQ, during which time they must take out temporary private insurance. This transitional health insurance is at their own expense, except in the case of a person hired under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). In this case, the insurance is paid for by the employer.
Case of international students: Like TFWs, nationals of countries that have signed a social security agreement with Quebec are eligible for RAMQ coverage upon arrival, under the same conditions.
Others will have to take out private insurance. Most Quebec universities require their international students to have health insurance administered by their educational institution.
Eligibility of international students for an employer-sponsored group insurance plan
An international student working part-time while studying can benefit from the employer-sponsored group insurance plan. However, it is important to check in advance the specific eligibility criteria for this plan, including:
- Number of hours worked
- Duration of employment and, in some cases, obtain
- The insurer’s approval.
Note: Employer-sponsored group insurance does not replace the student’s obligation to take out minimum coverage with the RAMQ or a private insurer.
Driver's license
Quebec has entered into reciprocity agreements that allow nationals of certain foreign countries residing in Quebec to drive in the province with a driver’s license issued by their country of origin.
However, note that:
- This authorization is only valid for certain categories of vehicles (cars, motorcycles and mopeds);
- After six months, Quebec residents must either hold an international driving permit (also temporary), or obtain a Quebec driver’s license.
The steps involved in obtaining a license in Quebec may vary depending on:
The immigrant’s country of origin (a simple exchange of licenses if an agreement exists, or a theoretical and/or practical test otherwise);
The type of vehicle (only the car/scooter license can be exchanged; the motorcycle license requires a skills test, whether or not there is an agreement).
In all cases, foreign nationals may not drive certain vehicles without obtaining the appropriate class of license, after passing the required test (in addition to a class 5 driver’s license), even if they hold an equivalent license in their country of origin. These include truck/heavy vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses, minibuses, cabs and similar licenses.
This may have an impact on certain TFWs when they arrive, and should therefore be anticipated.
