Summer is here. COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and you finally decide to hop on the plane to Canada to chase that dream of a road trip through the Rockies. Or maybe you are going to Toronto to pursue a degree at one of the world’s best universities. Whatever your motives or reasons are, this article will tell you why buying a Canadian SIM card should be one of the first things to do once in Canada.

If you are visiting Canada for only a short time, you probably think that spending money on a SIM card doesn’t make sense, especially since you will not use it once you get back home. Well, if you are okay with relying on Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and other public places, you might do just fine without one. However, there are some strong arguments in favor of the local SIM card:

1.  Canada is a multicultural country whose diversity comes from centuries of immigration. English and French are the two official languages spoken in Canada, yet there are still many people who speak indigenous languages or immigrants who have not fully mastered English or French and mostly speak their languages. The point is –  you might need an online translator tool, especially if you are not that fluent in English, if you want to travel to Quebec or Montreal, or if you will spend time in multicultural hubs like Toronto or Vancouver. And guess what? To use Google Translate, for example, you need a SIM card with data usage. 
   
   

2. Did you know that Canada is the second largest country? With 10 contrasting provinces and 3 territories, one of the best ways to explore it is to rent a car, drive and enjoy the beautiful scenery. As you drive, you will come across rugged mountain peaks, untouched forests, glacier lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, rainforests and so much more. You should know though, that most cars in Canada do not come with GPS navigation. It is considered an add-on, which means additional costs for you. On top of that, you usually need to book it well in advance as the car rental company might not have any extra ones available. This is a scenario where a Canadian SIM card would come in handy since even the cheapest plan these days normally comes with a data plan already. In the end, it’s most likely that it will cost you less than paying for GPS car navigation.
   
   

3. There is a popular proverb in the English language that says Hope for the best but expect (prepare for) the worst. Indeed, preparation is the key, particularly when going into the unknown. So many things can go wrong while visiting a new country. You could arrive at your hotel just to realize it has been overbooked so you have no place to stay and you need to look for other options. Or imagine this – you are on a road trip and you decide to make an unplanned stop to go on a nearby hike that is on the way to your final destination but you don’t know if the trail is open or if there are any restrictions in place. Having a SIM card with a data plan would help you solve these and many other potential problems that you might encounter while traveling.
   
   

Now, if you have decided to spend more than just a few days or weeks in Canada and you have an intention to study, earn a degree, or work here, perhaps call the country your home, then setting up a local phone number is even more crucial for you. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. While on the lookout for a job, it is highly likely that recruiters will try to set up a first round of interviews via a phone call. Indeed, it is a common practice in Canada to mention contact information, such as email address and phone number in your resume. Even to schedule an in-person interview, employers and hiring managers often prefer to call a potential candidate because it is much faster than exchanging emails.
   
   

2. If you are staying in Canada for a longer time and if you plan on having an income here, chances are you will have to set up a Canadian bank account. The banking system in Canada is one of the most accessible ones in the world with 78% of Canadians preferring online and mobile banking. For opening an account, you might be asked, among other things, for a phone number. You might need the same number as a form of verification to access your mobile banking app.
   
   

3. Every individual legally working in Canada is required to pay taxes. International students are encouraged to file a tax return too even if they don’t have any income. Canada Revenue Agency is collecting taxes and might have to send you important documents regarding your tax returns via their My Account portal. CRA implemented a 2-factor verification, meaning that a phone number is required to verify your identity. As of now, only Canadian phone numbers and numbers based within North American countries that participate in the North American Numbering Plan are accepted for the verification process.
   
   

Are you still wondering if you should buy your Canadian SIM card? We hope our article gave you more grounds to say yes and get your SIM card as soon as you arrive in Canada or even better – before arriving. Let us help you start your Canadian dream!