Moving to Nunavut: health card, driver's licence and taxes

The first steps after arriving in Nunavut: health coverage, driver's licence, sales tax, online accounts and benefits.

1. Health card. Apply to the provincial plan: Nunavut Health Care Plan. Keep your previous coverage until the new one starts, since there can be a waiting period.
2. Driver's licence and vehicle. Licences and registration are handled by Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation. There is a deadline to exchange an out-of-province licence and re-register a vehicle.
3. Taxes. Sales tax in Nunavut: GST 5%. For income tax, the province where you live on December 31 applies for the whole year. Update your address with the CRA.
4. Benefits. File a tax return even with little income: federal and provincial benefits are calculated from it and follow you to your new province.
5. Housing and work. See our guides on renting and working in Nunavut.

Official government site ↗ · Source: Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST rates ↗, read on 2026-11-13.

Programs to know about

• Nunavut Child Benefit — Monthly amount for lower-income families, paid with the CCB.
• Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit — Monthly top-up for low-income seniors receiving the GIS.
• Senior Fuel Subsidy — Helps seniors who own their home pay for heating fuel.
• FANS (Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students) — The territory's own grants and loans for post-secondary students.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Figures show their source and the date they were read; confirm with the official body before making a decision.

Guides for this province

• Renting in Nunavut: rights, rent increases and average rents
• Working in Nunavut: minimum wage, standards and wages
• Moving to Nunavut: health card, driver's licence and taxes
• Cost of living in Nunavut: prices, rent, wages and taxes
• Buying a home in Nunavut: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
• Health care in Nunavut: health card, drug plans and dental help
• Studying in Nunavut: tuition, student aid and grants
• Seniors in Nunavut: pensions, supplements and programs
• Taxes in Nunavut: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
• Families in Nunavut: child benefits and family programs
• Immigrating to Nunavut: nominee program, steps and processing times