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Save Your Documents Digitally

Description

Before you start running errands, take 10 minutes to photograph all your important documents. You'll need them constantly in your first weeks — having them on your phone saves time, reduces stress, and protects you if originals get lost or stolen.

In person N/A
Online 10–15 min

What to do

1. Find a well-lit spot and photograph each document clearly — all four corners visible
2. Photograph your passport (photo page and the page with your entry stamp)
3. Photograph your study or work permit
4. Photograph your SIN letter or card once you receive it and store it securely
5. Move your document photos from your camera roll to a secure cloud folder
6. Delete the photos from your camera roll after saving them to the cloud
7. Save copies to Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox with two-factor authentication enabled
8. Share the folder with one trusted person back home in case of emergency

Warnings

Your phone camera roll is not secure storage

  • Many apps can access your photo library if you allow it
  • If your phone is stolen, your documents are exposed
  • Store document photos in a password-protected folder or a dedicated app like Google Drive with 2FA enabled

Your SIN needs extra protection

  • A photo of your passport is fine for most everyday situations — filling out forms, showing ID at a bank
  • Your SIN number should never be shown casually — only share it when absolutely required
  • Never send your SIN photo through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram unless absolutely necessary
  • Keep your SIN photo in a separate, more secure location than your other documents

Tips

Why this matters in Week 1

You may be asked for your passport multiple times a day in your first week — at the bank, at your school, at your employer, and at government offices. Having a clear photo means you can quickly fill in form fields without pulling out your physical passport every time.

Best storage option

Google Drive or iCloud with two-factor authentication enabled. Create a folder called 'Immigration Documents' and keep it private. Avoid storing documents in messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.

Print one set as backup

Print one copy of each document and keep it somewhere safe at home — separate from your originals. If your wallet and phone are stolen at the same time, you'll still have something to work with.

What to photograph

Passport (photo page + entry stamp), study or work permit, SIN letter, lease agreement or proof of address, and any school or employer letters you arrived with.

Name your files clearly

Use simple names like 'passport.jpg' or 'work_permit.pdf' so you can find them quickly when filling out forms online.

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