City of Toronto

Toronto Immigration Portal

The City of Toronto, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is the largest of Canada's vibrant urban centres. It is the hub of the nation's commercial, financial, industrial, and cultural life, and is the capital of the Province of Ontario. Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world - a city where more than 150 languages are spoken every day and 50% of residents are born outside of Canada.

Find out about living, working, studying and doing business in the City with the Toronto municipal immigration portal. Start by reading the Before You Arrive section for useful information to help you get settled as quickly as possible in one of the world's most multicultural cities.

Toronto residents have access to a broad range of services including libraries, recreation programs, emergency response services, programs for children, information services, public transit, public health, and more. Toronto residents can dial 311 for information on how to access these services.

Overview

A true city of the world, Toronto is a large cosmopolitan city. You’ll find a vibrant nightlife, world-class festivals, stunning architecture, great museums, galleries & theatre, various restaurants and shops, and interesting work opportunities. It is also home to hundreds of ethno-cultural organizations including professional associations and community centres.

Toronto skyline

Proximity to large centres	Windsor	Kingston	Ottawa	Montreal Quebec
Approximate distance	364 km	261 km	451 km	542 km

Population

2.6 million residents

Key industries

Finance
Health care
Professional services
Services sector

Average house price

$573,036
Single family detached

Average temperatures	January	July
1971-2000	-4.2C	22.2C

Learn more

Airports

Arts, theatre and culture

City parks

Festivals and events

Toronto public transit

The Toronto municipal immigration portal is funded and administered through the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, as part of the Municipal Immigration Information Online (MIIO)Program. Visit the Cities and Towns section of OntarioImmigration.ca for other municipal immigration portals.

Will there be anyone to assist me when I arrive?

Make sure you prepare well before you arrive and that you have all of the documents you need. Try to arrange for a friend or a family member to meet you at the airport so that you get all of the help you need. Know that you can always use the Services Near Me directory to locate services and programs available in your community.
Where can I find information about my new community?

Visit our Cities and Towns section for municipal information or use the Services Near Me directory to locate services and programs available in your community. You can also contact your municipality for information on recreational activities in your area.
How do I apply for a Social Insurance Number?

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number required for temporary and permanent residents to work legally in Canada and to access government programs and benefits. You can apply for a SIN at a Service Canada office. Make sure you bring with you the required documents and a completed application form.
Where can I get a health card?

If you are eligible, you can obtain a health card from a Service Ontario centre. You will need to fill out an application form and take it with you along with additional documents when you apply for a health card.
How can I find a doctor?

You can find a doctor by searching the directory of doctors in Ontario. You may also use you local telephone directory to find a doctor in your community.
Where can I find a hospital?

You can find a listing of hospitals in Ontario on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Does the Ontario Government offer health insurance to immigrants?

Permanent residents, temporary workers, convention refugees and other specific groups may receive coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) three months after arriving in Ontario. Apply for public health insurance as soon as you arrive in order to ensure you are covered after your first three months. Find more information on OHIP eligibility and health care in Canada.
Where can I learn about Ontario's education system?

Find information about the school system and academic programs in Ontario.
Where can I go to improve my English?

Basic English language assessment and instruction for adults is available in Ontario. School boards also deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for children and non-credit programs for adults. Use our language class wizard to find an English language training program near you.
How do I become a Canadian citizen?

The requirements and applications are available from the Government of Canada.