
Starting even before arrival, immigrants can access settlement services by both Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) for Quebec-bound newcomers. Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration
- Catholic Centre for Immigrants.
- Catholic Crosscultural Services.
- Centre francophone du Grand Toronto.
- HMC Connections.
- London Cross Cultural Learner Centre.
- New Canadians' Centre of Excellence.
- Newcomer Centre of Peel.
- Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Council.
What services do settlement agencies provide in Canada?
What Services Do Settlement Agencies Provide in Canada? Immigrant Serving Organizations (ISO), commonly known as settlement or employment agencies, offer a wide range of support services. Their goal is to help newcomers integrate and find suitable jobs in Canada. Why Does Canada Offer ISOs?
How many clients do settlement agencies serve?
While there are large organizations serving thousands of clients each year, a clear majority are small organizations with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent staff. All rely on a pool of volunteers to support programs and service delivery. As the report outlines, there are a wide array of programs and services offered by settlement agencies.
What settlement services does CIC fund?
3.1 CIC funds direct and indirect settlement services both inside and outside Canada, which address the settlement-related needs of immigrants and refugees. The provision of settlement services across these broad components will enable CIC to achieve the immediate and intermediate outcomes outlined in section 2.
What services are eligible for immigration settlement?
Eligible services include needs and assets assessments and reassessments, the development of personalized settlement plans, and referrals to CIC-funded and other settlement services. Services that provide clients with information about Canada and the community in which they intend to settle.
What do settlement agencies do?
Why do people turn to settlement agencies?
How do ISOs help immigrants?
What is an ISO in Canada?
What is employment services?
How to get settled in Canada?
Is Canada experiencing a labor shortage?
See 4 more
About this website

What are settlement agencies in Canada?
Settlement services are programs and services that can help newcomers to Canada....Settlement services may be able to help you:look for a job.make new friends.register for language classes.assist you in accessing government/community services.understand the local culture and customs.understand your rights in Canada.
What are IRCC settlement services?
Through our Settlement Program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works with many partners to support the delivery of services to newcomers to Canada. These initiatives help them integrate into Canadian communities. Through the Settlement Program, IRCC funds.
What services does Canada offer to immigrants?
Type of services:Help with daily life. Help finding a job. Help preparing for the citizenship test. Find or become a mentor to a newcomer. ... Francophone service provider. Language assessment. Language training (general) Job-specific language training. ... Services for women. Services for seniors. Services for youth.
What are Settlement Services?
Settlement services support immigrants and refugees to Canada. They can help you settle and adjust to your new life in Canada. Settlement services can include: Interpretation - For newcomers that need assistance accessing services in English or French can have the support of an interpreter from a settlement agency.
Does Canada give money to new immigrants?
The payment is based on the number of children you have, your net family income, your marital status, and some other factors. This year, you could get up to $456 if you are single, $598 if you are married or have a common-law partner, and/or $157 for each child under the age of 19.
What does Ocasi do?
OCASI was formed in 1978 to act as a collective voice for immigrant-serving agencies and to coordinate response to shared needs and concerns. OCASI is a registered charity governed by a volunteer board of directors. Its membership is comprised of more than 200 community-based organizations in the province of Ontario.
How is Canada helping immigrants?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) facilitates the arrival of immigrants, provides protection to refugees, and offers programming to help newcomers settle in Canada. It also: grants citizenship, issues travel documents (such as passports) to Canadians; and.
How much money does asylum seekers get in Canada?
The exact rate depends on the size of the family and is tied to social assistance rates. For example, a single person receives between $567-$751 per month depending on the province they live in (as of 15 October 2018). A monthly top-up of up to $200 may be possible in areas with higher housing costs.
Do refugees have access to the settlement program?
The vast majority of refugees (89.4%) accessed settlement services. By comparison, dependents of economic immigrants (51.0%), family sponsored immigrants (40.4%), and economic principal applicants (35.2%) relied less on those services.
How can I settle in Canada?
Services and informationExpress Entry. Immigrate as a skilled worker.Family sponsorship. Sponsor your relatives, including your spouse, partner, children, parents, grandparents, and others to immigrate.Provincial nominees. ... Quebec-selected skilled workers. ... Atlantic Immigration Program. ... Caregivers. ... Start-up Visa. ... Self-employed.More items...•
What is the humanitarian settlement program?
The Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) supports humanitarian entrants and other eligible visa holders integrate into Australian life. It does this by helping new arrivals build the skills and knowledge they need to become self-reliant and active members of the community.
What is a settlement worker?
What is a settlement worker? Settlement workers are individuals who guide newcomers through their personal settlement needs with resources and assistance relating to culture, education, recreation, finance, social services, and more.
What is settlement program?
Settlement Programs — programs operated by various government agencies, such as the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), for the purpose of resolving disputes without resorting to litigation.
What is settlement and integration?
Settlement, Integration and Language Projects grants support short-term initiatives that respond to newcomers' needs and address emerging issues. These projects should encourage collaboration with other groups or organizations.
What is a settlement worker?
What is a settlement worker? Settlement workers are individuals who guide newcomers through their personal settlement needs with resources and assistance relating to culture, education, recreation, finance, social services, and more.
What is settlement policy?
Settled policy means a life insurance policy or certificate that has been acquired by a provider pursuant to a life settlement contract.
Settlement services for newcomers to Canada - Canada.ca
Find the information and services you need for your life in Canada. Settlement services for newcomers to Canada. This video is also available in HD on YouTube where you can leave a comment, share it on your social network or embed it into your site.. Transcript: “Settlement services for newcomers to Canada”
Immigrant-serving organizations - Canada.ca
Would you or your organization like to welcome newcomers and help them adjust to life in Canada? Whether you’re part of an organization, community group, or just interested in helping out, there are many ways you can help.
COSTI: Settlement Services
In Ontario, all residents between the ages of 6 and 16 must attend school. By Ontario law, children under the age of 18 have the right to attend school in the area served by their local board of education.
What are settlement services?
Settlement services support immigrants and refugees to Canada. They can help you settle and adjust to your new life in Canada.
What is settlement in Canada?
2.3 Settlement refers to a short period of mutual adaptation between the newcomers and the host society, during which the government provides support and services to newcomers. Integration is a two-way process that involves commitment on the part of immigrants to adapt to life in Canada and on the part of Canada to welcome and adapt to new peoples and cultures.
What is CIC Settlement Program?
2.2 The CIC Settlement Program and related services aim to provide newcomers with the information required to make informed decisions, language skills adequate to their settlement and integration goals, and the support they need to build networks within their new communities. CIC funds the delivery of settlement programming across the country and outside Canada, and provides support for initiatives that contribute to the capacity enhancement of recipient organizations.
What is the role of CIC settlement?
The CIC Settlement Program plays a major role by assisting immigrants and refugees to overcome barriers specific to the newcomer experience so that they can undertake their longer-term integration on a similar footing to other Canadians.
What is CIC funding?
CIC funds services that play an essential role in enabling clients to access the direct service components outlined below. Eligible support services include childcare, translation and interpretation services, crisis counselling, transportation assistance, and provisions for disabilities. These barrier-reducing services are always provided in conjunction with a direct service.
What is the authority of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration?
1.1 The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act establishes the Department of Citizenship and Immigration over which the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration presides. Section 4 of that Act sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Minister. 4.
What is a Canadian service?
Services that provide clients with information about Canada and the community in which they intend to settle. They also help clients to develop the life skills they need to integrate into Canadian society.
How does client access to services help clients?
Clients access to services is facilitated, increased understanding of clients’ needs, clients receive appropriate information and services to address settlement their needs and attain awareness of community and other resources to deal with settlement issues; gain knowledge about life in Canada; learn official languages; acquire knowledge and skills for adapting to life in Canada, and make connections related to community and employment
How many settlement service providers does Canada have?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides funding to more than 500 settlement service provider organizations across Canada to deliver pre- and post-arrival settlement services, and to over 30 organizations to deliver immediate and essential services to government-assisted refugees under the Resettlement Assistance Program.
Can settlement providers resume in person?
This means that service providers may resume in-person services at different times depending on their location.
What is settlement agency?
Settlement agencies are community organizations that provide services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada. So to help newcomers adapt they provide many services. Each settlement agency provides different services. So it’s helpful to find a settlement agency that best meets your needs. A settlement agency can work with you on ...
Is there a settlement agency in Canada?
The good news is that there are settlement agencies whose primary purpose is to help you settle in Canada. As well, you can access many of these services both before and after you arrive in Canada. Another benefit is that most of these services are free of charge!
Can settlement agencies help you find a survival job?
In such cases, a settlement agency can help you find a survival job. Many newcomers work in survival jobs until they find a job in their field. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in your job search. In addition, you may have to acquire new skills or upgrade your existing skills.
Settlement Agencies
Settlement agencies provide settlement services designed to help newcomers adjust to their new lives in Canada. Settlement agencies are sometimes also called immigrant-serving agencies, refugee-serving agencies, or newcomer services. These organizations are located in major urban centres in each of Canada’s provinces.
Finding A Settlement Organization
Most settlement programs are free of charge and are often available in different languages. These programs are typically offered by government funded not-for-profit organizations. Settlement and language programs may also sometimes be offered by organizations such as libraries, schools, colleges and universities.
What is a settlement worker?
Settlement workers are individuals who guide newcomers through their personal settlement needs with resources and assistance relating to culture, education, recreation, finance, social services, and more.
How to get connected with a settlement worker?
Get connected with a settlement worker in your area by contacting community centres, libraries, newcomer centres, and schools to find out if they are partnered with any settlement agencies. If they are, they may be able to provide you with several different options for settlement workers.
Is there a settlement worker in Canada?
Did you know that Canadian settlement services can help you answer all your questions and even point you to other programs and services that can make your life in Canada easier? Plus, seeing a settlement worker in Canada is completely free.
Can a settlement worker help a newcomer?
A settlement worker can provide more personalized assistance if you let them know your exact situation.
Who is the largest bank in Canada?
Arrive is supported by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the largest bank in Canada* and one of the most reputed banks in the world, employing 80,000 people worldwide. This places us in a unique position to be able to help and support newcomers, like yourself, with credible and reliable resources that can help you get started while setting up a strong financial foundation in Canada.
Can you switch settlement workers?
If you need to switch settlement workers due to moving locations or a change in preference or goals, it is possible to do so. When moving to a new area, you may wish to supplement your one-on-one talks with your settlement worker and another newcomer-oriented group programming. You can do so at your local community or newcomer centre, to start building your newcomer community and gain general helpful knowledge.
What is free immigration assistance in Canada?
Many organizations in Canada offer free assistance to immigrants who are planning to move to this country or who have recently arrived there. The services include filling out forms, employment support, housing consultations, and more.
How many food banks are there in Canada?
In Canada, there are about 500 food banks, where those in need can get free groceries. To use the services, you can contact a food bank directly. Sometimes other institutions connect with these organizations.
What are the products that are distributed in food banks?
Among the products that are distributed in food banks are pasta, cereals, rice, ketchup, baby food, canned, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat . Food banks operate in all Canadian provinces. You can find the closest one using the Foodbankscanada.ca website.
How long can you stay in a temporary shelter in Canada?
Temporary Shelter. Anyone who is in a difficult life situation can contact the Salvation Army to get a free place to stay for 30–90 days. In Canada, there are several dozen temporary shelters managed by this organization in almost every province of the country. In addition to a bed, the Salvation Army provides hot lunches, ...
What is settlement services?
Once in Canada, you may need help to find a job, make new friends, or learn English. Settlement services are programs and services that can help newcomers to Canada. Settlement services may be able to help you:
What is BC Settlement and Integration Services?
The BC Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS) program allows for a broad range of people to access settlement supports. A service provider can help you understand your rights and help you adjust to life in B.C.
How long do refugees stay in Canada?
Under the Government assisted refugees program, refugees are referred to Canada for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency or another referral organization. Government-assisted refugees receive support for up to 1 year from the date they arrive in Canada or until they can support themselves – whichever happens first. This may include accommodation, clothing, food, and help finding employment.
What to do if you are not a refugee in Canada?
If you do not have refugee status but want to seek asylum in Canada, there are steps you will have to take to file a refugee claim and obtain a hearing. You can contact Settlement Orientation Services or MOSAIC for specialized supports to navigate the refugee claim process and get help with your immediate housing, medical, and income needs.
What is a naturalized Canadian citizen?
A naturalized Canadian citizen is someone who came to Canada as an immigrant and is now a Canadian citizen.
How to get assistance for resettlement?
You may be eligible for assistance under the Resettlement Assistance Program. If you were sponsored as a refugee, contact your sponsoring organization to find out about settlement assistance. You can also get information on settlement assistance by contacting a service organization directly .
What language do settlement workers speak?
Settlement workers at these organizations can often support you in your first language (i.e. your “mother tongue”), in addition to providing services in English and/or French. Most organizations that offer settlement services have requirements that you must meet in order to access their services.
What are the four main settlement services in Canada?
The four main service providers are civil society organizations (the largest category), school boards, provincial governments and municipal governments . The report notes that the federal government does not provide settlement services itself, instead contracting out services to third parties. To further unpack the types of settlement service providers, civil society organizations can be broken down into five groups:
What is an immigration service provider?
Immigrant-Serving Provider Organizations: Also known as a “settlement agency,” these organizations provide direct services to immigrants and can be multi-service or single service providers.
What is an issue based organization?
Issue-Based Organizations: A number of settlement service providers provide services based on a specific settlement need or priority issue, such as employment or language.
What is a multicultural non-governmental organization?
Multicultural Non-Governmental Organizations: These organizations are focused on diversity issues as a whole, however, they occasionally receive funding to provide settlement services.
What are indirect services?
Indirect Services: Include projects that support the development of partnerships, capacity building and the sharing of best practices among settlement providers, for example, developing new interventions, updating training content and conducting research.
Non-Profit Organizations that Support Settlement Sector Practitioners
The Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) was established in 1978 and is one of several agencies in Canada that support the professional development of settlement practitioners through research about immigration issues and best practices.
Principles and Values of the Sector
People who work in the immigrant- and refugee-serving sector are expected to uphold certain principles and values. The first chapter of the Foundations of Settlement Work in Ontario training guide covers several of these in more depth.
What do settlement agencies do?
Settlement agencies often train new immigrants in areas like: 1 Résumé writing 2 How to search for a job 3 House or apartment hunting 4 Finding childcare assistance 5 Language proficiency training 6 Social skills development
Why do people turn to settlement agencies?
Job search: Most newcomers turn to settlement agencies because they are having difficulty finding work. Thankfully, settlement agencies are designed to support you during your job search and prepare you for employment. Some ISOs even provide related support services like transportation, accessibility accommodations, childcare, and more.
How do ISOs help immigrants?
ISOs help newcomers get settled more quickly. They connect immigrants with suitable work that, in turn, fills a need within the labour market. Once you have eliminated the stress of finding a job that matches your skills, you can start fully enjoying your new life in Canada.
What is an ISO in Canada?
Immigrant Serving Organizations (ISO), commonly known as settlement or employment agencies, offer a wide range of support services. Their goal is to help newcomers integrate and find suitable jobs in Canada.
What is employment services?
Employment services: Once you have a job, you need to be ready to join the workforce. Most agencies offer general employment preparation services. However, some provide industry-specific training. If possible, you should register with an agency that specializes in your area of expertise.
How to get settled in Canada?
If you are interested in taking advantage of settlement services once you arrive in Canada, the first step is to contact your local agency and book an appointment. For the first appointment, bring documents like your visa, résumé, cover letter, and government-issued ID. During the meeting, you will fill out a form and sign a registration document.
Is Canada experiencing a labor shortage?
Canada is suffering from a labour shortage. A Business Development Bank of Canada study reveals that 39 percent of small and midsize businesses have trouble hiring the right talent.

Terms and Conditions
Authority
- 1.1 The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act establishes the Department of Citizenship and Immigration over which the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration presides. Section 4 of that Act sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Minister. 4. The powers, duties and functions of the Minister extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdictio…
Purpose and Objective
- 2.1 For Canada to realize the economic, social and cultural benefits of immigration, newcomers must integrate successfully into Canadian society. The CIC Settlement Program plays a major role by assisting immigrants and refugees to overcome barriers specific to the newcomer experience so that they can undertake their longer-term integration on a similar footing to other Canadians. …
Eligible Services/Initiatives/Projects
- Program components
3.1 CIC funds direct and indirect settlement services both inside and outside Canada, which address the settlement-related needs of immigrants and refugees. The provision of settlement services across these broad components will enable CIC to achieve the immediate and intermed… - Eligible Clients
3.7 Only the following persons are eligible to receive settlement services: 1. Permanent Residents of Canada. 2. Protected Persons as defined in Section 95 of IRPA. 3. Individuals who have been selected, inside or outside Canada, to become permanent residents (pending verifications) and…
Eligible Recipients
- 4.1 In order to fulfill CIC’s objective of promoting the successful integration of permanent residents into Canada, grant and contribution agreements may be signed with the following eligible recipients for settlement services: 1. Provincial, territorial or municipal governments; 2. International organizations; 3. Not for profit organizations including non-governmental organizat…
Eligible Expenditures
- 5.1 Grants and contribution agreements may be made towards activities related to eligible services and could encompass the following expenditures that are determined to be reasonable and essential: 5.2 Where the recipient further distributes contribution funding to a third party organization to carry out project activities, payments by the recipient to reimburse the third part…
Determination of Contribution Amount
- 6.1 The Department will ensure that the amount of the contribution or grant is at a minimal level required to attain the objectives of the program clearly defined in Section 2. And the results expected by the recipient. The other sources of funds will also be considered to ensure that the amount is appropriate. The following other factors will also be considered: 1. Level of funds avai…
Maximum Amount Payable
- 7.1 The maximum amount payable to each eligible recipient through their combined Settlement Program contribution and grant agreements shall not exceed the per fiscal year limits indicated below. Within the overall recipient limits, the maximum amount payable per recipient through grants shall not exceed the fiscal year limits indicated.
Basis of Payment
- Contribution
8.1 Payments of contributions will normally be made as reimbursements of eligible costs incurred or expenditures made by the contribution recipient and will be based on the presentation of acceptable claims and progress reports, in accordance with the terms of the contribution agree… - Grant
8.8 Grants will be paid in installments unless the full amount is required to meet the objectives of the project. 8.9 There are no restrictions to the number of approved projects an eligible recipient may hold at any one time. 8.10 Both single year and multi-year projects may be funded, subject t…
Required Information from Applicant and Assessment Criteria
- Application Requirements
9.1 The Department requires that an applicant requesting funding as an eligible recipient through its Settlement Program submit the following: 1. A fully completed Application for Funding form with information including, but not limited to, the following: a description of planned activities; h… - Additional Requirements for Grants
9.2 The Department will determine proposals most suitable for funding as a grant by considering factors such as: 1. Low project risk determined by assessment of complexity and scope of activities. 2. The applicant has sound capacity (strong financial and organizational capabilities). …
Key Messages
- In the context of the pandemic, my Department is recommending that settlement service providers follow public health and provincial guidelines. This means that service providers may resume in-perso...
- In order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, service provider organizations are focusing on delivering critical resettlement and settlement services until further notice.
- In the context of the pandemic, my Department is recommending that settlement service providers follow public health and provincial guidelines. This means that service providers may resume in-perso...
- In order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, service provider organizations are focusing on delivering critical resettlement and settlement services until further notice.
- This includes providing income support and immediate and essential services to government-assisted refugees, medical referrals and interpretation, and offering crisis counselling to newcomers.
- When possible, service providers are also providing non-critical services by telephone, email or online, such as settlement language training.
Supplementary Messages
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has worked closely with Canada’s network of more than 500 settlement service provider organizations, including provincial/territorial counterparts, othe...
Supporting Facts and Figures
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides funding to more than 500 settlement service provider organizations across Canada to deliver pre- and post-arrival settlement services, and to o...
- We have added 79 new organizations to deliver settlement services across Canada, including new Francophone organizations. Under the 2019 Call for Proposals, 20 new Francophone org…
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides funding to more than 500 settlement service provider organizations across Canada to deliver pre- and post-arrival settlement services, and to o...
- We have added 79 new organizations to deliver settlement services across Canada, including new Francophone organizations. Under the 2019 Call for Proposals, 20 new Francophone organizations were re...
- The Department also added one new Francophone Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organization in Cornwall, Ontario.
- In 2018-2019, nearly 520,000 clients accessed at least one settlement service. We have seen a 29% increase in the use of settlement services over the past four years, demonstrating the im…
Background
- On June 3, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada recommended that service provider organizations should continue to follow guidance from public health and instructions from the provinc...
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is recommending that when service provider organizations are able to reopen, that they focus on providing in-person services to the most …
- On June 3, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada recommended that service provider organizations should continue to follow guidance from public health and instructions from the provinc...
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is recommending that when service provider organizations are able to reopen, that they focus on providing in-person services to the most vulnerable clie...
- On March 16, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada advised service provider organizations to suspend all non-essential services and focus on the provision of critical services to vulne...
- As of March 16, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has been communicati…