The short answer
The Government of Canada funds free settlement services run by local organisations. They help newcomers find a job, learn English or French, look for a place to live, connect with the community and more. If you are eligible, you can use them for free. Some are available online before you arrive. IRCC has introduced a time limit for economic-class permanent residents, so check your own eligibility and use these services early rather than late.
Key terms in plain English
- Settlement organisation: a local service provider funded to help newcomers.
- Language assessment: a short test of your current English or French that you take before joining a language class.
- Pre-arrival services: free online programmes you can use from your home country before you land.
- Economic-class permanent resident: someone approved through economic programmes such as Express Entry, a provincial nominee programme or similar. IRCC lists them on its eligibility page.
Who can use the federal services
IRCC says you are generally eligible if you are a permanent resident (including a resettled refugee) outside Quebec, a successful permanent residence applicant who has been approved in principle, a protected person, or a temporary resident or dependant in certain employment programmes. Rules differ for Quebec, which runs its own integration services. IRCC's eligibility page explains the new time limit that applies to economic-class permanent residents, and it uses the date on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Check it, and ask a service provider if you are not sure.
What you can get
- Language classes funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments. You must be tested first at a language assessment centre. Private classes cost money.
- Help finding a job, including résumé workshops and job search training.
- Help finding housing, health care and schools.
- Community connections, such as meeting people and volunteering.
- Referrals to other services.
Services before you arrive
IRCC lists free online programmes that help you prepare to live in Canada wherever you plan to settle. They include the Active Engagement and Integration Project, Planning for Canada and Next Stop Canada. They offer information about daily life, guidance on education, health care, housing and transportation, a personalised needs assessment and referrals, including to language training. If you have registered, wait to be contacted.
Provincial newcomer portals
Provinces and territories run their own settlement information too, for example Settlement.org in Ontario, WelcomeBC in British Columbia and Make Alberta your home. For other provinces, see IRCC's pages for each province or territory.
Checklist
- To do: Check on IRCC's eligibility page whether you qualify
- To do: Note your Confirmation of Permanent Residence date if you are an economic-class permanent resident
- To do: Register for a pre-arrival programme before you fly
- To do: Find a settlement organisation near where you will live
- To do: Book a language assessment, if you want classes
- To do: Ask about job, housing and school help
- To do: Take your documents to the first appointment
- To do: Save contact details for follow-up
Common mistakes
- Waiting too long. Eligibility for economic-class permanent residents is time-limited.
- Assuming settlement help costs money. Federally funded services are free if you are eligible.
- Paying for help that is free. Federally funded services cost nothing if you are eligible.
- Skipping the language assessment. You need it before classes.
- Forgetting Quebec is different. Check the Quebec government's pages if you will live there.
Things that change
Eligibility rules, time limits, programmes and providers change. Use the IRCC page for current information.
Verify before you act
Read IRCC's page on finding free newcomer services, who is eligible, pre-arrival services and improving your English and French.