What the app does
Settle in, one step at a time.
From getting your Social Insurance Number to finding local help, NewStart Canada brings practical settlement information together in one free app, and points you to official government sources and free local services.
Get your SIN
Steps to follow, a documents checklist saved on your phone, and help finding a Service Canada office near you.
Made for your province
Health insurance, work rights, housing and local help change with the province or territory you choose.
Find local help
Free services for settlement, legal aid, language classes, jobs and emergencies, such as 211 and provincial legal aid. Save the ones you need.
What comes next
Pick your status: permanent resident, work permit, study permit, or not sure. See next steps and tips, with links to IRCC.
Rough Express Entry estimate
Five questions give a rough score range. Your answers stay on your phone. IRCC's own calculator gives your real score.
What changed
Recent immigration rule changes, each with a link to the official government page.
Cost of living
A monthly budget planner for 21 Canadian cities, such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg and Halifax.
Safety and your rights
Know your rights at work, at home and with police, warning signs of human trafficking, emergency contacts, and quick buttons to call 911 or a crisis line.
Reminders
Phone reminders for work permit expiry, health card renewal, tax filing, or your own dates.
AI Assistant
Ask questions about settling in Canada in your language. Needs a free account. Answers can be wrong or out of date, so check official sources.
Topics in the app:
- Social Insurance Number
- Health insurance
- Housing
- Employment
- Banking
- Legal aid
- Mental health
- Childcare
- Safety and rights
A place to begin
Your location. Your next steps.
Choose your language and your province or territory when you open the app. Explore the topics you need, find out where to go and what documents to bring, and set reminders for important dates.
Available in 13 languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Korean, Vietnamese, Tamil, and Ukrainian.
Private by design
Start without an account.
Your checklist progress and preferences stay on your phone. Read the full privacy policy for details.
For settlement workers and volunteers
Recommending NewStart Canada to a client?
It is a free starting point your clients can use in their own language between appointments. It does not replace your services. It points people to official sources and free local help.
Share it in one line
Good to know before you recommend it
- Free, with no in-app purchases.
- Most features work without an account. Only the AI Assistant needs a free account.
- General information only, not legal or immigration advice. It is not a government service and is not affiliated with IRCC.
- It does not submit or file any application. It links to official sites.
- Languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Cantonese, Punjabi, Arabic, Hindi, Tagalog, Korean, Vietnamese, Tamil and Ukrainian.
Disclosure: the app and website include affiliate offers from KOHO and PhoneBox. NewStart Canada may be paid if someone signs up through those links.
Questions, or found something out of date? Email [email protected].
Print the QR handout
Scanning opens a page with both store buttons.