New to Canada.
Settling in involves more than one department. Use this sequence to find the appropriate official services, then follow their instructions for your status and location. Not every step applies to everyone.
Check an IRCC application status
IRCC uses different accounts and trackers for different application types. Its official status guide asks what you applied for and, where relevant, how you submitted it before showing the appropriate route. Use that selector instead of guessing which portal holds your case. A general processing estimate is separate from the actual status of your application.
Apply for a Social Insurance Number
Start with Service Canada's application guide when you need your first Social Insurance Number. Its selector matches document requirements to your situation and preferred application route. The official page offers online, postal and in-person paths. Keep identity documents and your number private; this guide only helps you find the correct government service.
Apply for OHIP and an Ontario health card
Ontario's OHIP guide sets out coverage eligibility, application documents and the ServiceOntario application route. It also separates situations such as newborns and people reapplying after time outside Ontario. Read the requirements for your circumstances rather than assuming an address alone establishes coverage. Approval and the health card come through Ontario's official process.
Government of Ontario — Apply for OHIP and get a health card
Find federal benefits and support
The federal Benefits Finder narrows programs by the kind of support you need and the audience they serve. It is a useful starting point when you do not know a program's name. Results cover federal benefits; choosing a province or territory provides a separate link for that government's programs rather than a combined eligibility decision.
Keep these distinctions in mind
- Check the conditions and documents associated with your immigration status using the official IRCC route.
- A SIN and a health card serve different purposes. Having one does not establish eligibility for the other.
- This Ontario pathway does not replace another province’s health or driving requirements.
These steps are a starting sequence, not a mandatory or complete list for every person. Check the official guidance for your situation.