Apps to prepare you for your move in Canada

It is not easy to plan your move.

But digital tools can help.

The CIC News team has compiled 6 mobile apps for newcomers to download to prepare for their move to Canada.

Accommodation and housing

Padmapper, Rentals.ca, Rentseeker.ca, or Zumper:  These digital tools allow newcomers to search for rental housing. These platforms allow users filter searches by parameters such as location and cost, number of rooms, and other amenities. If newcomers are interested in touring apartments, they may want to book a short-term apartment on platforms like AirBnB and VRBO first, then search for a longer-term rental once they arrive.

The Cohen Immigration Law Firm offers a free consultation on Canadian citizenship

Zillow, Realtor.ca or HouseSigmaThese platforms are primarily focused on buying and renting real estate but also offer a lot of rental housing. These platforms can be used by newcomers to search for listings when they are looking to buy a home or to find additional platforms to help them in their search for rental property. If you are a temporary resident in Canada, you will need to apply for a work permit. Purchase residential property? You must meet certain requirements.

Kijiji or Facebook MarketplaceKijiji, Facebook Marketplace and other online classifieds are popular in Canada. These platforms allow users to search for both accommodations and household furnishings. Newcomers can use classifieds to obtain items at a fraction of the cost of new merchandise—or even for free. Users can filter search results by parameters like distance and price. Haggling is acceptable when buying items through classified ads in Canada.

Customs declaration

ArriveCANArriveCAN is no longer required for travellers to enter Canada. ArriveCAN is a mobile app that allows newcomers to fly into major Canadian airports and save time by completing a form. advanced customs declaration. Airports participating include:

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
• Calgary International Airport (YYC).
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG).
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport
• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
• Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) – terminals 1 and 3
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport

Navigation and Transportation

What3Words: What3Words is a useful app for saving and communicating locations, even if that location doesn’t have a street address. The app generates a unique string of three words that maps to a three meter square on the earth’s surface. This string can be used by users to save their locations, share them with friends, and even communicate the location to emergency responders.

Transit AppsNewcomers might also want to download the local transit apps of the cities to which they are moving. These apps often provide real-time information on schedules. Some apps may even allow you to pay for fares in the app. Here are some examples of major Canadian cities.

CarsharingCarsharing apps offer an alternative to the traditional rental of a car. Users can register with a local car-sharing company and use their app to reserve, unlock and return a vehicle. Here are some car sharing companies operating in Canada.

Unlike traditional rentals, car sharing apps usually offer hourly rates (in addition to daily rates), and some services may allow you to leave the vehicle within a large service area when you’re done with it, rather than having to return it to your original pick-up location.

The Cohen Immigration Law Firm offers a free consultation on Canadian citizenship