Canada funds a network of settlement services to help newcomers build their lives after arrival. These programs — funded primarily through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — include language training, employment assistance, community connections, translation services, and more. This guide explains who is eligible, what is available, where to find it, and what changed in 2025–2026 regarding eligibility rules.
What Are Settlement Services?
Settlement services are government-funded programs delivered by community organizations, school boards, libraries, and non-profits across Canada. IRCC funds these programs through contribution agreements with settlement agencies. The goal is to help newcomers become economically and socially established as quickly as possible.
Settlement services are free of charge to eligible newcomers. You do not pay to attend language classes, access employment help, or use translation services through these programs. They are funded by your tax dollars and the taxes paid by all Canadians.
Note on Quebec: Quebec administers its own settlement services separately under the Canada–Quebec Accord, which gives Quebec sole responsibility for immigrant integration. Programs in Quebec are called Services d'accueil et d'intégration des immigrants. Contact the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) for Quebec-specific programs.
Who Is Eligible for Settlement Services?
Eligibility for IRCC-funded settlement services is defined by immigration status:
Eligible
- ✓ Permanent residents (all categories)
- ✓ Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and Blended Visa Office-Referred Refugees (BVORs)
- ✓ Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) — for most programs
- ✓ Protected persons (Convention refugees and people in need of protection granted status in Canada)
- ✓ Some temporary residents with pending permanent residence applications (see 2026 updates below)
Not Eligible (Generally)
- ✗ Visitors and tourist visa holders
- ✗ International students (student permit holders) — unless they have applied for PR
- ✗ Temporary foreign workers (work permit holders) — with some exceptions
- ✗ Canadian citizens (who were born in Canada or naturalized)
2025–2026 Eligibility Changes: IRCC has introduced time limits on eligibility for settlement services for some categories of economic immigrants. Economic principal applicants (Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program) may be limited to five years of eligibility for certain settlement programs after landing as a PR. Check with your local settlement agency for the latest eligibility rules, as policies continue to evolve.
What Settlement Services Are Available?
IRCC funds several categories of settlement services:
Language Training (LINC / CLIC)
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) provides free English classes to eligible adult newcomers. In French, the equivalent is Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC). Classes range from beginner to advanced and are available full-time or part-time, in-person or online.
Employment Support
Resume writing, interview preparation, Canadian workplace culture orientation, job search assistance, mentorship programs pairing newcomers with established professionals, and connections to employers. Often delivered in partnership with local employment centres.
Community Connections
Programs that help newcomers build social networks, find community organizations, learn about local services, meet Canadian-born residents, and reduce isolation. Includes host programs pairing newcomers with established community members.
Translation and Interpretation
Free translation services for essential documents and interpretation for appointments. Note: this is typically limited to essential needs (medical, legal) — not general translation for all purposes.
Needs Assessment and Referrals
Settlement workers assess your situation and connect you to the services most relevant to your needs — whether housing, healthcare, childcare, or community programs. Think of this as a starting point for navigating the system.
Information and Orientation
Structured orientation sessions covering Canadian systems: healthcare, banking, renting, education, rights and responsibilities, and how government services work. Often available online pre-arrival through the pre-arrival services program.
How to Find Free Settlement Services Near You
IRCC operates a "Find free settlement services" tool at ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp. Enter your city or postal code to find settlement agencies, language programs, employment services, and more near you.
- 1Use the IRCC service finder: Visit the IRCC website and use the "Find free settlement services" tool. You can filter by service type (language training, employment, etc.) and location.
- 2Contact your local settlement agency directly: Settlement agencies (e.g., ACCES Employment, COSTI, SUCCESS, YWCA, Catholic Immigration Centre) can do a needs assessment and connect you to the right programs.
- 3Check your local library: Many public libraries host settlement programs, ESL classes, and newcomer drop-in sessions. The Toronto Public Library, Vancouver Public Library, and others offer extensive newcomer programming.
- 4Ask your provincial government: Some provinces fund additional settlement programs beyond what IRCC provides. BC, Ontario, and Alberta in particular have provincial settlement and integration programs.
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View Deep Dives → From $49.99The Refugee Assistance Program (RAP)
Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) receive more intensive support through the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP), administered by IRCC and delivered through Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) service providers across Canada.
- ✓ Immediate needs on arrival: Airport reception, temporary lodging, basic household setup items, orientation to the community.
- ✓ Income support: GARs receive income support at provincial social assistance rates for up to 12 months (or until they can support themselves, whichever comes first).
- ✓ Settlement assistance: Help with finding housing, enrolling children in school, accessing healthcare, and navigating government services.
- ✓ Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs): Sponsored by private groups (faith communities, businesses, individuals) under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees program. Sponsors provide the equivalent support directly for the first year.
Settlement Agencies vs. Private Services
It is important to understand the difference between government-funded settlement agencies and private immigration consultants or services:
Government-Funded Settlement Agencies
Non-profit organizations funded by IRCC to deliver settlement programs. Services are free to eligible newcomers. Staff are not immigration lawyers or consultants — they help with settlement (housing, language, employment, navigation) not immigration applications. Examples include ACCES Employment, COSTI Immigrant Services, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (BC), Catholic Immigration Centre, and hundreds of others nationwide.
Private Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and Lawyers
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) and immigration lawyers charge fees to assist with immigration applications. They are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and provincial law societies respectively. Settlement agencies cannot represent you in immigration matters — for application help, you need an authorized representative or can apply yourself through IRCC's online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are settlement services available before I arrive in Canada?+
Yes. IRCC funds pre-arrival settlement services for eligible newcomers who have been approved for permanent residency but have not yet landed. The Pre-Arrival Services (PAS) program provides orientation, employment planning, and connections to services before you arrive. Check the IRCC website for currently funded pre-arrival service providers.
How long am I eligible for settlement services?+
Permanent residents are generally eligible for most IRCC-funded settlement services for several years after landing. However, IRCC introduced time limits for some programs for economic immigrants in 2025–2026. Refugees typically have longer or different eligibility windows. Contact your local settlement agency for current eligibility terms for your circumstances.
Can I access settlement services if I am a refugee claimant (asylum seeker)?+
Refugee claimants (people who have filed a refugee claim but don't yet have a decision) have limited access to IRCC-funded settlement services. Some provinces and municipalities fund additional services for refugee claimants. Check with local settlement agencies — many serve refugee claimants even where federal funding doesn't cover them.
Are LINC language classes really free?+
Yes. Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) classes are completely free to eligible permanent residents and protected persons. Some classes also provide childcare and transportation assistance so that parents with young children can attend. Classes are offered at various levels from beginner to advanced.
What is the difference between LINC and CLIC?+
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) provides free English classes for newcomers outside Quebec. CLIC (Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada) provides free French classes for newcomers outside Quebec. In Quebec, the equivalent French-language program is offered through MIFI (formerly MIDI). Both programs are free for eligible newcomers.
Can I access settlement services if I live in a rural or remote area?+
Settlement services are concentrated in major urban centres, but IRCC has expanded funding for smaller communities. Many programs are now available online, including LINC language classes. If you are in a rural area, contact your provincial government's immigration office or use the IRCC "Find free settlement services" tool to see what is available near you.
Important: Important: Settlement service eligibility and program availability change regularly. Always verify current eligibility with IRCC or your local settlement agency. Not legal advice.
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