🇨🇦 Essential Cards to Apply for When Moving to Regina

After settling in, it was finally time to tackle the bureaucratic must-dos—because carrying around my passport and study permit everywhere was not a long-term plan! Here’s a breakdown of my highly productive morning getting all the key IDs sorted: 1️⃣ SIN Card (Social Insurance Number) 📍 Where: Service Canada (downtown) ⏰ Pro Tip: Arrive by 8:20 AM (they open at 8:30 AM)—we were 10th in line! 📋 Documents Needed: Passport + study permit/work permit. 💡 Process: Queue outside → Get a number inside → Wait (20 min total). Questions asked: Parents’ names, email, phone number. ✅ Done in 20 minutes—staff were surprisingly friendly for a government office! 2️⃣ Saskatchewan Health Card 📍 Where: 11th Ave office (3rd floor)—right next to Service Canada! 📋 Documents Needed: Passport + permit + lease agreement (digital okay!). 💡 Process: Fill out a family application form (if applying together). Submit docs → Wait ~6 weeks for the card. ⚡ Super fast—15 minutes in and out. 3️⃣ Saskatchewan ID Card 📍 Where: SGI (Cornwall Centre side entrance) 📋 Documents Needed: Passport + permit + 2 proof-of-address docs (lease + bank statement). 📸 Bonus: They take your photo onsite (no DMV grimace required). ✅ Done in 20 minutes—no queue! You’ll get a temporary paper ID (valid until the card arrives in 2-3 weeks). 🎉 Freedom! Now I can leave my passport at home. ✨ Hidden Gem: Open Door Society After paperwork, we popped into Open Door (near Cornwall)—HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for newcomers! Their staff spent over an hour explaining: How to navigate local services (schools, language tests, welfare). What to do if an employer exploits you (good to know!). Free settlement workshops (e.g., winter survival tips ❄️). 💛 Warm, patient, and genuinely helpful—a must-visit! 🗓️ Pro Timeline: 8:00 AM: Arrive at Service Canada. 10:00 AM: Health card + ID done. 11:00 AM: Open Door session. 12:00 PM: Celebrate with lunch at Cornwall’s food court! 🍜 Total Cost: $0 (unless you count the poutine splurge after). #ReginaLife #NewInCanada #Saskatchewan #AdultingWin #ImmigrantTips