A new Express Entry PR planned to land on a Sunday and start a job the Monday after, and worried about having a bank account number ready for the employer on day one.
What members advised:
- Employers don't need banking details on day one. The unanimous, calming answer: payroll needs your account before your first pay is issued — typically you have days (often a week or more) to submit it. Worst realistic case: your first pay is slightly delayed.
- Book a bank appointment in advance. Pre-book the nearest branch appointment for your first Monday; accounts are opened same-day, so you can walk out with account details within hours.
- Use the airport services if landing at Toronto Pearson. A pre-arrival mentor had flagged a Service Canada kiosk (for SIN) and a bank branch at Pearson — worth checking on arrival so both errands can start immediately (secondhand report; confirm on landing).
- Build a buffer if you can. One member who did the same move recommended about a week between landing and joining; a single day works but leaves no room for anything to slip. Alternatively, ask to land a few days earlier or push the start date.
- Ask your employer for a half-day early in week one to complete the SIN and bank errands if you couldn't do them before starting.
Practical takeaway: the Sunday-landing/Monday-start plan is workable — SIN first, pre-booked bank appointment same day, and give the employer your details later that week.