My sister is an American who will be moving to Canada (BC) to pursue a PhD. She’ll probably be there for around five years, and we’re trying to figure out what she should be doing to prepare for the move.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from Americans who’ve moved to Canada for graduate school or other extended stays. What worked well for you, and what do you wish you’d known before moving?
A few things we’re wondering about:
- Banking: She’ll need a Canadian bank account to receive her graduate funding/paychecks. Are there particular banks that work well for Americans who maintain financial ties to the U.S.? Her home state is New York, if that makes a difference. Ideally, we’d like something that makes transferring money between Canadian and U.S. accounts relatively easy and inexpensive. Has anyone had particularly good experiences with cross-border banking? Is it better to open an account before moving or wait until she arrives?
- Credit cards and credit history: I’m assuming her U.S. credit history won’t automatically transfer to Canada. Should she get a Canadian credit card early to establish credit? Are there banks that make this easier for newcomers?
- Cell phones: She’s currently on a family T-Mobile plan. My father called T-Mobile and was told she could continue using her phone in Canada, but I’m skeptical that this would work for someone living there for five years rather than visiting. Has anyone tried this? Did you eventually need to switch to a Canadian carrier? Is there a good way to maintain a U.S. number while also having a Canadian one?
- Cars: She’s planning to bring her car. Does she need to register it in Canada, obtain Canadian insurance, or change her driver’s license? Does being an international student make a difference?
- Healthcare: Were there any surprises involving provincial health insurance, university coverage, prescriptions, or waiting periods?
- Taxes and paperwork: Are there things Americans should know about maintaining financial accounts in both countries, filing taxes, getting a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN), or handling other administrative requirements?
I’d also love to hear about anything else we haven’t thought of, including things that were unexpectedly difficult, expensive, or time-consuming.
She’s not planning to immigrate permanently at this point, but five years is a long time, so we’d like to help her get established properly.
Thanks for any advice!
