A Canadian phone number makes everything easier: apartment viewings, bank verification, job calls, delivery, transit apps, and two-factor authentication. Use this with Mobile & Internet and Phone Plan Research.
Choose quickly but carefully
Prepaid is often easiest in the first week. Check coverage, data, voicemail, international calling, activation fees, eSIM support, referral offers, and whether a credit check is needed.
Once you have a number, update your resume, bank profile, rental messages, delivery accounts, and emergency contacts.
- Prepaid
- Postpaid
- Coverage
- Data
- eSIM
- Voicemail
- Referral
Connect it to other tasks
Use your phone number for bank verification, landlord replies, job applications, CRA setup, healthcare contact, and transit apps. Keep your old number active long enough to receive important international codes if needed.
Pair this with Open a Bank Account, First Housing Search, and Set Up CRA Access.
- Banking
- Housing
- Jobs
- CRA
- Healthcare
- Transit
Checklist
Things to do next
Before activating
- Check coverage
- Choose SIM/eSIM
- Estimate data
- Check referral
- Check payment method
After activating
- Set voicemail
- Update resume
- Update bank
- Save emergency contacts
- Install transit app
Beginner definitions
eSIM
A digital SIM that can activate a phone plan without a physical SIM card if your phone supports it.
Two-factor authentication
A login security step that may send a code to your phone.
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FAQ
When should I handle get a phone plan?+
Handle it as soon as it becomes relevant to your status, arrival date, housing plan, school plan, job search, or first-week admin. The page explains the practical order.
Which pages should I keep open?+
Start with the New to Canada hub, Essential Checklist, First 30 Days in Canada, banking, credit, mobile and internet, housing, taxes, and the relevant calculator or template linked on this page.
Is this immigration, tax, or legal advice?+
No. This is educational information and practical organization. Verify important decisions with official sources, providers, or qualified professionals.
Important disclaimer
This guide provides practical information, not legal, immigration, tax, healthcare, or financial advice. Rules, offers, eligibility, fees, and provider conditions can change. Always verify important decisions with official sources or the provider before applying, contributing, signing, or relying on a deadline.