Free settlement services for newcomers

When you arrive in Canada as a new permanent resident, you do not have to navigate your first weeks alone. The federal government funds thousands of qualified professionals across the country through settlement agencies to help you find jobs, fill out forms, learn language skills, and build community connections—completely free of charge.

What are settlement services?

Settlement services are programs designed to help you adjust to life in Canada. They cover daily needs like finding housing and opening a bank account, as well as longer-term goals such as employment, credential recognition, and community integration. Services may include settlement counselling and referrals, employment assistance, language training, help understanding Canadian laws and rights, childcare support while you attend classes, transportation assistance, and translation and interpretation services.

These agencies operate in major cities and towns across every province and are staffed by settlement counsellors, employment specialists, and intake workers who understand the challenges newcomers face. Many offer services in multiple languages and can connect you with additional community resources you may need.

Finding a settlement agency near you

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintains an online search tool that lets you find free settlement services by postal code. You can filter by specific services you need and see what providers operate closest to your home.

• Visit ircc.canada.ca/english/newcomers/services/index.asp and search by postal code
• Use Settlement.org if you are in Ontario—the tool covers communities across the province
• For Quebec, contact the provincial government directly, as settlement services are managed separately
• Check your provincial or municipal government website for additional programs beyond federal funding
• Call a local library, community centre, or school board—they often know about local programs

Who is eligible?

Most IRCC-funded settlement services are available to permanent residents of Canada at no cost. You must have official proof of permanent residence—usually your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or a letter of approval from IRCC.

Settlement services are also available to protected persons (refugees who received a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board), convention refugees being resettled to Canada, and certain temporary residents in specific employment or study programs.

Time limits for economic class immigrants

Starting April 1, 2026, if you arrived as an economic class permanent resident (including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, and similar streams), you can access IRCC-funded settlement services for up to six years from the date you became a permanent resident, or until you become a Canadian citizen, whichever comes first. Starting April 1, 2027, this window will reduce to five years. Other categories—refugees, protected persons, and family-class newcomers—do not face these time limits.

Free language classes: LINC and CLIC

One of the most valuable services available to newcomers is free language instruction. The Canadian government funds two main programs: Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) for English, and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) for French.

What LINC and CLIC offer

Both programs teach practical language skills you need for daily life in Canada—shopping, banking, healthcare, job interviews, and understanding government forms. Classes also cover Canadian culture, social norms, rights and responsibilities, digital literacy, and citizenship preparation. You will work with qualified instructors in classes at all proficiency levels, from beginner (foundation) to advanced (levels 1–8 in CLB).

Classes are offered full-time and part-time, during the day, evenings, and weekends. Many providers offer online or hybrid options if you cannot attend in person. In some locations, free childcare is provided for students' children under age 12, removing a major barrier for parents wanting to improve their language skills.

How to get started with LINC or CLIC

1. Contact a settlement agency or organization in your community that offers LINC or CLIC
2. You will need to complete a free language assessment to determine your current level—providers can direct you to an assessment centre
3. Your assessment results will place you in the appropriate class level (Canadian Language Benchmarks for English, or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens for French)
4. Register with your chosen provider and start attending classes

Classes are offered at settlement agencies, community colleges, school boards, and community organizations across Canada. You can ask at your local library for information about programs nearby.

Dial 211 for community services

If you need help finding community or social services but are not sure where to start, Canada's 211 helpline is a free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in most of Canada. Simply dial 2-1-1 from any phone to speak with a trained service navigator.

What 211 can help with

211 is Canada's largest database of community and government services. Service navigators can help you find information about housing, food assistance, mental health support, childcare, transportation, legal aid, emergency financial help, and settlement services in your specific area. You can also access 211 by text message, live chat (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.), or through the 211 website and mobile app.

An important benefit: you do not have to give your name or personal information to use 211. The service is confidential and available in more than 150 languages. Interpretation services are built in, so you can speak in your own language.

• Dial 2-1-1 to reach a service navigator 24/7 (availability varies by province)
• Text 211 or use live chat for alternative contact methods
• Visit 211.ca or your provincial 211 website (e.g., 211ontario.ca) to search the database online
• Download the 211 mobile app to search services on the go

What settlement agencies can help you with

Beyond language training, settlement agencies offer a wide range of services tailored to your needs. Common programs include job search assistance, resume and interview preparation, workplace language coaching, information about credential recognition and professional licensing, community orientation, information sessions on housing and banking, help understanding your rights under Canadian law, and support navigating government forms (such as applying for a Social Insurance Number or provincial health card like OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, or RAMQ in Quebec).

Many agencies also offer settlement counselling, where you can meet one-on-one with a counsellor to create a settlement plan, discuss barriers you are facing, and get referrals to other services. Settlement agencies work with employers, educational institutions, and other community partners to help you build networks and access opportunities.

Getting started: Key steps

1. Search for a settlement agency using the IRCC online tool or Settlement.org
2. Visit or call the agency nearest to you—no appointment is always needed to inquire about services
3. Bring proof of permanent residence (COPR or approval letter from IRCC)
4. Ask about intake or orientation sessions, which often explain all available programs
5. Inquire about language assessment and LINC/CLIC classes if language training is a priority
6. Ask about employment or counselling services that match your immediate needs
7. Register for programs and begin attending as soon as possible

Important notes on accessing settlement services

Settlement services across Canada are delivered by community organizations funded by the federal government, as well as by provincial and municipal governments. Eligibility criteria may vary depending on who is funding the service. For example, provincial or municipal programs may be available to temporary residents (such as international students or temporary foreign workers), whereas IRCC-funded services are restricted to permanent residents and certain other categories. When you contact an agency, ask about eligibility to make sure you qualify for the specific program you are interested in.

If you are settling in Quebec, settlement services are managed by the provincial government separately from the federal program. Contact Quebec's immigration ministry or a local settlement organization in your community for information on services available to you.