Canadian Banking: How Newcomers Can Build Credit.

by Ivy Chiu

Moving to a new country presents a unique opportunity to create a life, home, career, and network in a new environment. By taking time to understand the financial system, newcomers to Canada can create a solid foundation that could mean the difference between surviving and thriving during the first few years. While most newcomers are aware that Canada’s banking system differs from that of their home country, they often do not know what those differences entail.

Keep reading to see tips on how to bank and build credit in Canada:

Open a Bank Account Even if You Do Not Have a Job Yet

Many newcomers are surprised to learn that they can open a bank account without having a job. In their home country, they might not have been allowed to do so without being employed with a steady income. However, in Canada, opening a bank account is one of the first things newcomers should do—even if no funds are deposited right away.

The main types of accounts in Canada are chequing and savings accounts:

• A chequing account is designed for day-to-day banking. You will use the money in this account to make everyday purchases. With this account, you can deposit and withdraw at any time. This makes it a convenient and safe place to keep the money.
• A savings account is ideal for setting aside money for larger costs, such as education or home furnishings. The balance in this account will earn interest and you can easily access your money when you need it.

When exploring options, ask about bill payments and the number of transactions that can be made every month without fees. Be sure to compare fees and interest rates for the different accounts, as well as features and offers. For example, RBC offers no monthly fees for newcomers for a period of time to help with settling in a new country. As long as you keep your account open for 90 days, there is no fee to close the account if your situation changes or you decide not to live in Canada permanently.

Start Building Credit Immediately

Many newcomers understand that building credit history is necessary to settle in Canada. But they may not know exactly how it works.

Credit history in Canada is a key factor to determine eligibility for a loan.

Canada’s central credit bureaus use credit history to provide a score that reflects creditworthiness. A credit score is built through financial transactions, such as the first time newcomers ask for a loan, set up utilities, or purchase a mobile plan—and it is built over time. The score is determined based on the evidence of how finances and repayment were managed. This is influenced, for example, by whether monthly bills are paid in a timely manner.

A good credit score helps newcomers qualify for loans and might lead to lower interest rates. This is helpful when buying a car, getting a mortgage, paying for school, and more.

Here are a few more important points about building and maintaining a credit score:

• A credit score is tied to the individual. If the credit card, car loan, or mortgage is in your spouse’s name only, the activity associated would be tied to the spouse’s credit score. Each person should build their own credit history.
• Pay your bills on time. Credit scores are maintained by credit reporting agencies and include whether bills are paid, including utilities, mobile phone, and credit card. This is why it is important to pay at least the minimum payment on time.
• Regularly check your credit score. RBC personal banking clients can access their credit score right through the TransUnion CreditView Dashboard in their RBC online banking portal. Checking your credit score at least once a year helps detect any errors and protects against identity fraud by ensuring the information is accurate.

While every newcomer to Canada has its own set of distinct goals and circumstances, most are eager to learn how to navigate the Canadian financial language and landscape.  Do not hesitate to ask your bank’s client advisors about any questions you may have.

Starting a new life in Canada will be easier with a solid understanding of how to manage finances and build credit history. A promising future awaits.

For assistance with getting a bank account, credit card, or mortgage in Canada, visit rbc.com/newcomers.

Source:  WES Advisor Blog

What is the Job-Canada Platform for Immigrants?

To immigrate to Canada, a candidate should take into consideration all aspects of current legislation and immigration programs.

The most difficult thing about moving abroad is to find an employer who has LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), a document allowing to hire a foreign worker. It is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada. It protects an employee after the contract with his employer has been signed.

If you have tried looking for an employer through AIPP, you probably know it is not easy. You have to find an employer, his position openings and then your actual position. You go through 2,000 employers which takes a lot of time. That is why we came up with an idea to help you and literally do this job for you: we take designated employers and gather their current position openings in every province from official and approved sources. We are also working on several Canada immigration programs.

Immigration to Canada: JobCanada platform advantages for candidates

JobCanada allows its clients to find and sign a contract with a Canadian employer who is confirmed to hire through immigration programs or LMIA.

The company website has many current job openings for foreign workers in different provinces of Canada.

After signing up at job-canada.org, a candidate needs to make a payment for the website subscription.

When it's done, a JobCanada search menu opens where a client can see different job openings from the largest Canadian platforms: indeed.ca, jobbank.gc.ca and so on.

You can make a selection of current open positions on the website. To do this you need to choose:

• an immigration program;
• a city or province where you are going to relocate;
• a position and a company profile;
• and a desired salary as well.

Preparing to find a Canadian employer

Immigration through work is the best choice for high-skilled employees and those who have no relatives living permanently in Canada. This kind of relocation can guarantee a job in a foreign country and a stable income.

Before a candidate immigrates and starts looking for a position, JobCanada specialists recommend:

• to have a consistent CV following Canadian specialists' advice and to translate it into English or French;
• to write a brief cover letter with all the necessary details for every position opening in an employer's language;
• to buy a Canadian virtual phone number which can increase your chances to have an interview with your potential employer;

Thorough work on such programs as The BC PNP Tech Pilot, The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot have allowed JobCanada to make a selection of positions with a shortlist of requirements for relocation.

For example, these programs are suitable for candidates who have low foreign language levels (English/French), who are middle-aged, have little work experience or finished a vocational school.

For more information, click the link below:

https://job-canada.org/partner-source/6

Immigrate to Altona/Rhineland, The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

THE PROCESS

1. Employers interested in the pilot must contact SEED to arrange an employer pre-screening meeting

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2. SEED ensures that the employer & job position meet the pilot eligibility criteria

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3. SEED then uploads the approved job posting onto SEED’s website for applicants to review

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4. Applicants must create a “candidate profile” on SEED’s website prior to applying to any job postings

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5. The applicant applies to job postings that meet their past work experience and education and ensure they have the ability to carry out the job duties and responsibilities listed.

6. The applicant can create a candidate profile that offers the option to set up career alert(s) automatically notifying them by email of job opportunities matching their criteria, as they become available.

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7. SEED forwards the applicant’s resume to the employer

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8. The Employer then conducts normal hiring practices, such as reviewing the resume, conduct interview & reference checks

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9. Upon satisfaction, the employer provides an Offer of Employment to the successful applicant & provides a copy of the offer to SEED

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10. SEED will provide the applicant with Schedule 1 – Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and Community Recommendation Questions documents to complete and upload online in “candidate profile” in addition to all supporting documents in order apply for community recommendation

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11. SEED will verify the Offer of Employment & Community Recommendation Application documentation

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12. Once SEED ensures all the documentation is in order, the Vetting Committee assesses the priority factors and the top-ranking candidates move onto further assessment including an applicant interview to ensure they intend to reside in the community.

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13. SEED will provide the applicant who has received a positive assessment from the Vetting Committee with community recommendation

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14. The applicant then submits a Permanent Residence application to IRCC & is assessed against federal selection criteria & admissibility requirements

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15. Once IRCC confirms that the application is complete, the applicant and their family members (if applicable) can apply for a work permit and, if approved, may come to Canada while the application for permanent residence is being processed

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16. The employer and community welcomes the applicant and provides services to support their settlement and integration

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The Process for Assessing Applications

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SEED will assess applications on a monthly basis and provide recommendations up to a maximum of 10% of the annual allocated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Applications that are not recommended will be held for six months and will be considered in each of those monthly assessment periods. At the end of six months, the application will no longer be under consideration. The employer who offered the qualifying position may wish to extend the job offer, or the candidate may secure a new job offer for another position posted on SEED’s website and submit an updated application for a recommendation.

Rhineland-Altona, Gretna, Plum Coulee Manitoba

Altona/Rhineland is located in southern Manitoba, our region has a long history of welcoming newcomers and integrating both immigrants and refugees into the social fabric of the community.

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Altona/Rhineland is participating in an immigration pilot that creates a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to live in our community. The pilot is designed to support economic development within our community and strengthen our local business’s capacity to develop and retain a skilled workforce.

COMMUNITY SPECIFIC CRITERIA

1.            Candidate must intend to live within the boundaries (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions) of the Town of Altona or Municipality of Rhineland.

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2.            Only a Candidate who has successfully created a “Candidate Profile” on https://www.seedrpga.com/immigration-pilot will be able to apply for qualified job postings through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

3.            Only qualified positions by employers located within the boundaries of the Town of Altona or Municipality of Rhineland (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions) that meet the Employment Requirements (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions section two (2)) will be posted on https://www.seedrpga.com/immigration-pilot

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4.            Qualified positions must also be posted on www.jobbank.gc.ca and/or www.localjobshop.ca

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Altona/Rhineland Comprehensive Priority Points Grid

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The Vetting Committee will assess the eligibility of every candidate who applies for community recommendation taking into consideration the priority factors outlined in the Comprehensive Priority Points Grid. The top-ranking candidates will move onto further assessment including an applicant interview to ensure they intend to reside in the community. 

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a.            Candidate has received a qualifying job offer in the sector of Agriculture and Manufacturing

Yes +20

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b.            Candidate has received a qualifying job offer in the sector of Construction, Food Processing and Financial Services

Yes +10

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c.            The job offer is from an established employer who has been operating a business within the boundaries (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions) of the Town of Altona or Municipality of Rhineland for a minimum of ten (10) years, or with a business that has invested a minimum of $250,000 capital within the boundaries (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions) of the Town of Altona or Municipality of Rhineland

Yes +10

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d.            The job offer is from an employer who will provide the candidate with a workplace mentor for a minimum of six (6) months

Yes +5

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e.            Job offer is in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skills

NOC A, NOC B: +10

NOC C:  +5

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f.            Candidate possess a valid driver’s license from country of origin

Yes +5

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g.            Candidate has lived as an adult (18 years of age or older) in a community with a population of 10,000 people or less, and located one (1) hour (travel distance) away from a large and densely populated urban area for a minimum of six (6) months

Yes +5

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h.            Candidate has a family member and/or friend who is a permanent resident of Canada or a Canadian citizen and has been living within the boundaries (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions) of the Town of Altona and/or Municipality of Rhineland for a minimum of two (2) years

Parents, siblings or children: +20

Friend, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, niece or nephew: +10

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i.             Candidate has previously spent one (1) week or more within the boundaries (as defined in the Ministerial Instructions) of the Town of Altona and/or Municipality of Rhineland

Yes +5

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j.             The candidate has a spouse/common-law-partner with work experience that could fill labour needs in the following industry sectors: Agriculture, Construction, Education, Financial Services, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare/Hospital, Manufacturing, Social Services, Retail, Technology, Transportation

Yes +10

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k.            The candidate has a spouse/common-law-partner with post-secondary education that could fill labour needs in the following industry sectors: Agriculture, Construction, Education, Financial Services, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare/Hospital, Manufacturing, Social Services, Retail, Technology, Transportation

Yes +10

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l.             The candidate is between the ages of 25 -38 years old as of the date the application for recommendation is received by SEED

Yes +10

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Additional Information

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It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide documentation that confirms that the factors are met.

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Applicants who are claiming points for a family member or friend within Altona/Rhineland must provide a verification letter including the name, relationship, and contact information for their family member or friend. SEED may contact this individual as part of the assessment of your application.

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Applicants who are claiming points for a spouse or common-law partner’s work experience must provide a resume detailing their past work experience including the name of the employer, the job title and main duties, the dates the position was held, and a reference who could confirm the work experience. SEED may contact the reference as part of the assessment of your application.

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Applicants who are claiming points for a spouse or common-law partner’s education must provide a copy of the degree, certificate, or diploma. SEED may request additional information/documentation to validate the information provided in your application for a recommendation.