Finances
Government Financial assistance
The Government of Canada is giving financial assistance to help Ukrainian families who are in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). The assistance is a one-time, non-taxable benefit. It’s to take care of your basic needs while you get settled in Canada.
How much can you expect to receive:
CAN $3,000 for each adult (18 or older)
CAN $1,500 for each child (17 and under)
Documents you need to apply:
Along with your personal information, you need to provide
– your unique client identifier (UCI) number
– temporary resident status document [IMM 1442] number
– Your IMM 1442 must include a remark that you’re here under CUAET
To apply:
- You must first open a bank account. For information on banks please click here
- If you came to Canada before the CUAET program please change your status to the CUAET measure you can apply here. If you already have CUAET status please proceed to step
- Proceed to the online application here
If you need further assistance please call (833) 760-1162, calls are answered Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time. Interpretation services are offered in Ukrainian and Russian.
Bank Account:
You can get a bank account at any bank in Alberta. You can use your bank account details when applying for AB Health as proof of address.
а) Servus Credit Union
The following supports are available upon opening a Servus membership:
No monthly fees for 2 years with a Personal Essential Plan chequing account
Connection to loved ones back home with unlimited domestic & international wire transfers at no charge
Protection for your valuables with a complimentary safety deposit box
Extra growth on your savings with a bonus 0.50% on Pay-Yourself-First term deposits
- For more information click here.
b) Bank of Montreal (BMO)
With the BMO NewStart® program, newcomers from Ukraine can open a Performance Chequing Account with no monthly fee for two years, plus they can enjoy many other benefits including:
- Earn a $100 Walmart Canada eGift card when you meet the qualifying criteria.
- Get $60 cash bonus with rental of a safety deposit box
- Earn $600 when you meet the qualifying criteria. View full offer details.
- Family members in your household get no fee daily banking with BMO Family Bundle
- Send unlimited BMO Global Money Transfers with no fee
- More than $1,350 in value!
- For more information click here.
c) CIBC
For permanent residence and foreign workers CIBC is offering a CIBC Smart™ Account plus up to $600 after you open a CIBC Smart Account for Newcomers as your first CIBC chequing account, then open your first CIBC eAdvantage® Savings Account in the same calendar month and complete all qualifying actions.
- Pay no monthly fee for up to 24 months
Tap with your phone to pay for everyday purchases
- Transfer money to friends within Canada with unlimited Interac e-Transfer® transactions
- Send money to more than 120 countries with $0 transfer fees
- Additional benefits can be found here
d) TD
Explore the TD New to Canada Banking Package:
TD Unlimited Chequing Account: Pay no monthly account fee for one year (up to $203 value).Plus, you could get $400 Cash
- Enjoy a year of no monthly account fees with a new TD Unlimited Chequing Account.
- Use any ATM in Canada with no TD ATM fee
- You could get approved for up to a $15,000 credit card limit as soon as you arrive – no credit history required.
- Enjoy unlimited international money transfers with TD Global TransferTM, with transfer fees rebated for up to 12 months. Conditions apply.
For more information click here.
e) Scotiabank
Join the StartRight™ Program designed for newcomers. Get up to $1,800 in value in the first year.
- Earn up to $400 with a Preferred Package and an eligible investment plan.
- No monthly account fees on a Preferred Package chequing account for the first year – a value of $203.40.
- For a limited time apply for a Scotiabank PassportTM Visa Infinite credit card and earn up to 30,000 bonus Scene+TM with minimum spend (a value of $300) plus get a $150 primary card fee waiver for the first year.
- Get 10 free equity trades when you invest a minimum of $1,000 in a new Scotia iTRADE® account – a value of $99.90. Use code SRPE15.
- Unlimited no-fee international money transfers.
Click here for more information.
f) RBC (Royal Bank)
Special Offer for New Canadians:
- You Can Get No-monthly-fee Banking for a Year and up to a $15,000 Credit Card Limit.
- Get up to 12% cash back on a new RBC Cash Back Mastercard for the first 3 months.
- No-Monthly-Fee Banking for a year.
- Easily access your money using the largest combined branch and ATM network across Canada
For more information, click here.
Taxes
Please review our tax guide for Ukrainian newcomers here.
Every year, several universities and other organizations offer tax clinics for free. Here is a list of free tax clinics in your area
Here is our list of tax clinics that offer free tax help in the Ukrainian language:
Edmonton:
Actions for Healthy Communities
200-105 113 St NW Edmonton, AB T5H3H5
- Mon-Fri from 09:30 AM – 04:15 PM
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Open during holidays
830-840 7 AVE SW Calgary, AB T2P3G2
(403) 668-0299 Ext: 109
- Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM – 04:00 PM
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Open during lunch/dinner
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Open during holidays
