Settlement services are accessible to certain newcomers to Canada.
These government-funded services are available to newcomers and are designed to assist them in adjusting to life in Canada.
Newcomers can get assistance from settlement services with things like housing, language learning, job searching, and even meeting new friends.
According to studies, using settlement services has a major positive impact on newcomers. However, about one-third of new immigrants in Canada are not aware of these facilities.
This article will break down
- Which newcomers are eligible to receive settlement services;
- What kinds of settlement services are available;
- How to find services in your area; and
- How effective these settlement services are.
For whom can settlement services be provided?
Settlement services are initiatives designed to assist immigrants in acclimating to life in Canada. They are provided to newcomers by several immigrant assistance groups located throughout Canada. Although provincial and local governments may also provide funding for these programs, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) typically provides direct funding for them.
In addition to helping immigrants with everyday necessities, settlement services also help them learn English or French, find work, and integrate into the community.
Protected persons, some temporary residents, and permanent residents can all get settlement assistance. Depending on who is providing the cash, different people may be eligible for different services. For instance, only permanent residents of Canada are eligible for the majority of settlement services that are fully financed by the IRCC.
While the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP), which is likewise different from general settlement services, is available to refugees, settlement services for individuals relocating to Quebec are administered independently by the provincial government.
The following individuals are eligible for most settlement services:
Eligibility Criteria by Group
- Permanent Residents of Canada
Individuals who have been granted permanent resident status in Canada. - Protected Persons (IRPA Section 95)
Persons recognized as protected under Section 95 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). - Individuals Awaiting Permanent Residency Approval
Individuals selected for permanent residency, awaiting final approval pending verification, and informed of their status by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via letter. - Convention Refugees and Protected Persons Outside Canada
Refugees and protected persons outside of Canada who have been chosen by IRCC for resettlement in Canada. - Temporary Foreign Workers with Work Permits, Approved for Permanent Residency
Temporary foreign workers holding a work permit under Section 112 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), or those initially approved for permanent residency under Section 113 of IRPR. - Ukrainian Nationals and Their Dependents
Ukrainian nationals granted a temporary resident visa through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, along with their dependents, and other Ukrainian temporary residents, eligible until March 31, 2025. - Holders of Palestinian Authority Passports
Foreign nationals with a passport issued by the Palestinian Authority, who left Gaza after September 1, 2023, and arrived in Canada by December 31, 2025, while holding valid temporary resident status. They, along with their family members, are eligible until March 31, 2027. - Gaza/West Bank Evacuees Assisted by Canada
Foreign nationals assisted by the Government of Canada in leaving Gaza or the West Bank between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, who hold valid temporary resident status in Canada. They and their families are eligible until March 31, 2027. - Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) Participants
Temporary residents and their dependents selected by employers under the Atlantic Immigration Program, eligible for needs assessments, referrals, and information services. - Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) Applicants
Temporary residents (and their dependents) with a confirmed complete application for Permanent Residence under the Atlantic Immigration Program, eligible for settlement services, including needs assessments and community connection programs. - Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) Applicants
Temporary residents (and their dependents) with a confirmed complete application for Permanent Residence under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, eligible for settlement services, including needs assessments and community connection programs.
If newcomers are uncertain about the eligibility of a service they wish to use, they can reach out to the service provider for confirmation.
*AIP candidates and applicants are eligible for newcomer services as outlined in their settlement plan.
**AIP and RNIP applicants may be limited to settlement services offered by providers in their specific community or city of settlement.
What types of settlement services are available?
Canada offers a variety of settlement services that cover various aspects of life in the country, including, but not limited to:
- Pre-arrival services: Typically online resources that newcomers can access before arriving in Canada. These services include employment support, information sessions on Canadian life, mentorship connections, and more.
- Support with daily life: Guidance on navigating Canadian culture, housing, and healthcare systems.
- Job search assistance: Services that help newcomers find employment through job listings, resume workshops, networking events, and interview preparation.
- Citizenship test preparation: Resources to assist newcomers in preparing for the Canadian citizenship test.
- Mentorship programs: Connecting newcomers with mentors to ease their transition into Canadian society.
- Language services: Language assessments and training to help improve English or French language skills, including job-specific language training.
- Targeted services for specific groups: Services tailored to meet the needs of refugees, women, seniors, youth, and 2SLGBTQi+ individuals.
- Additional services: Community-based programs to help newcomers integrate into Canadian life, such as social mixers, support for victims of domestic abuse, settlement plan creation, and more.
How can I find settlement services nearby?
The IRCC provides an online tool that helps newcomers search for IRCC-funded services by postal code, allowing them to find programs in their area. The tool also offers filters to search for specific types of services.
For services funded at the municipal or provincial level, newcomers can visit various websites to locate immigrant-serving organizations and settlement services in their region.
Do settlement services truly make a difference?
Research on the effectiveness of settlement services in Canada has shown encouraging results for newcomers’ success.
According to the 2020 and 2021 Newcomer Outcome Survey (NOS) by IRCC, which evaluates the outcomes of newcomers who utilized settlement programs, the findings are as follows:
- 85% of clients eligible for settlement services reported easy access to these resources.
- 95% of newcomers who received settlement services found them beneficial.
- Among those who participated in language training, 89.5% reported improvements in their skills in English or French, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- 78% of individuals who accessed employment-related services felt these programs equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to succeed in the Canadian workforce.
- 61% of newcomers who used community connection services made new friendships, with 92% agreeing that their community was welcoming and 90% feeling a strong sense of belonging to Canada.
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