As your Canada Working Holiday (IEC) comes to an end, it's easy to overlook important administrative tasks. Many people only realize after returning home that they can't access their bank account, receive verification codes, or complete tax refunds. A little preparation before leaving Canada can save you a lot of trouble later.

To help you avoid these headaches, I've put together four essential tasks to complete before leaving Canada—especially when it comes to managing your bank account. A little preparation can save you significant international calling costs and unnecessary account fees down the road.

1. Managing Your Canadian Bank Account: Traditional Banks vs. Online Banks

In Canada, credit cards can usually be cancelled with a simple international phone call. However, closing a traditional bank account—such as those with CIBC or TD—often requires you to visit a branch in person. For many working holiday participants who have already returned home, this can become a major inconvenience.

Why Do I Recommend Opening Simplii Financial？

If you need to file taxes after leaving Canada—which is common since tax years typically span across calendar years—you'll need to keep at least one Canadian bank account active to receive tax refunds from the CRA or make any required tax payments.

• No Monthly Account Fees: Most traditional Canadian banks charge monthly account fees of around CAD $4–$16, which can add up over time if you keep the account open after leaving Canada.Simplii Financial is part of the same banking group as CIBC, but unlike traditional bank accounts, it charges no monthly account fees. This makes it an excellent option for keeping a small amount of money in Canada for future tax filings, refunds, or other banking needs after you leave the country.
• No International Transfer Fees: User-Friendly Interface, Simplii's online banking platform is easy to navigate and includes the Global Money Transfer service, making it convenient to send Canadian dollars back to another country.
• Receive CRA Tax Refunds by Direct Depositou can set up your Simplii account as your CRA Direct Deposit account, allowing tax refunds to be deposited directly into your bank account without having to wait for a cheque.
• Sweet note: Try to open your Simplii account before leaving Canada, while you still have a Canadian address and proof of employment or residency. Although I was eventually able to complete the process from Taiwan, the verification requirements became significantly more complicated. In my case, a credit card application was declined because the bank was unable to verify certain information after I had already left Canada.

2. Avoid SMS Verification Issues: Get a Free Fongo Virtual Phone Number

After returning home, many banking activities—such as logging in, updating account settings, or adding a new payee—require SMS verification through two-factor authentication (2FA).

If you don't want to keep paying expensive monthly mobile fees, theFongo App app is an excellent alternative.

About Fongo

• Download Restriction:： Fongo App is only available for download in Canada. If you have already returned home, you'll need to switch your App Store or Google Play Store region to Canada before downloading the app.
• Free SMS: It provides you with a virtual Canadian phone number, allowing you to receive SMS verification codes for free.
• Free Calls to Canadian NumbersI've personally used Fongo from Taiwan to call Canadian bank customer service lines, and the calls were completely free with surprisingly stable call quality.

Important Tip: Before leaving Canada, make sure to update the phone number on your bank accounts (such as TD, CIBC, and Simplii) to your Fongo number. It's also a good idea to test SMS verification while you're still in Canada to confirm that verification codes can be received successfully. I've personally done this, and it has worked reliably for me so far.

3. Update Your Mailing Address: Don't Let Important Mail Get Lost

While most banking and government services can be managed online, some important documents, including CRA security codes and official notices, may still arrive by regular mail.

If possible, ask a trusted friend who still lives in Canada if you can temporarily use their address for important mail.

Common Services That Require an Address Update Before You Leave Canada:

• Financial & Telecommunications ServicesBanking & Telecommunications Services
• Government AgenciesCRA (Canada Revenue Agency), ICBC (driver's licensing and insurance), MSP (Medical Services Plan), and BCeID.
• Personal: Former employers (for receiving T4 tax slips), healthcare providers, online shopping platforms, and membership programs.

4. Tax Preparation: Make Sure You Receive Your T4 Slip

Leaving Canada doesn't mean you're done with Canadian taxes.To ensure a smooth tax filing process the following spring,make sure:

• Update Your Contact Information: Make sure your former employer has your latest email address and contact details so you can receive your T4 tax slip without any issues.Make sure your former employer has your latest email address and contact details so you can receive your T4 tax slip without any issues.
• CRA Account AccessEnsure you can access your CRA My Account before leaving Canada. A Fongo number can help you receive SMS verification codes, or you can use an authenticator app for two-factor authentication (2FA).

Conclusion: A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

While dealing with Canadian administrative processes can occasionally be challenging, taking care of a few key steps before you leave can save you a lot of headaches later. By switching to a no-fee bank account such as Simplii and keeping a virtual Canadian phone number through Fongo, you'll be well prepared to handle banking, tax filings, and account verification from Taiwan without unnecessary stress.

If you're preparing to leave Canada, apply for Simplii and set up a Fongo number before you go. Your future self will thank you. Simplii ~

Sign up Simplii: https://blue.mbsy.co/7gJbsQ

Download Fongo: https://get.fongo.com/