Settlement Services

This page was last updated on January 30, 2023.

Moving to a new country can bring many opportunities, but also many challenges. Once in Canada, you may need help to find a job, make new friends, or learn English.

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What are settlement services?

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
Settlement services are usually free for newcomers to access. The services you receive are confidential.

Settlement services are most often provided by local community organizations, such as multicultural societies, neighbourhood houses or libraries. 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. These eligibility requirements may be different depending on the kind of support you need and your current circumstances. The best way to know if you are eligible to receive services is to visit the organization’s website or contact them to learn more about how they can help you or your family members.
 

Settlement services for permanent residents

The Government of Canada supports many organizations across the country. These organizations deliver settlement services for permanent residents. They also deliver settlement services for for displaced Ukrainians and their immediate family members arriving through the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.
 

Before you arrive in Canada

If you have been approved for permanent residence in Canada but have not yet moved here, you may be eligible for free online and in-person services and supports while you are still overseas. 

Pre-arrival services can help you to:
  • prepare for your move to Canada
  • get your education, work experience and credentials recognized in Canada
  • connect with employers to find a job
  • connect with free services after you arrive in Canada
Learn more about pre-arrival services from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
 

After you have arrived in Canada 

If you arrived in Canada as a permanent resident, you can access free settlement and language services through a settlement agency. Find a settlement service agency near you.

Get help when you arrive at the airport in B.C. from the Community Airport Newcomers Network (CAAN).
 
Get support from Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants if you are a skilled professional and would like to practice in your field in Canada.
 
Find your local WorkBC Centre and learn about the employment services they offer.
 

Settlement services for temporary residents and naturalized citizens

The Province of British Columbia supports many organizations across the province to deliver settlement services for temporary residents and naturalized Canadian citizens. A naturalized Canadian citizen is someone who came to Canada as an immigrant and is now a Canadian citizen.
 
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.
 
Eligible clients include:
  • temporary workers with a valid work permit
  • international post-secondary students (if services are not offered at their educational institution)
  • Provincial Nominees awaiting a decision on their application for permanent residence
  • refugee claimants (and some limited supports for refugees)
  • naturalized Canadian citizens
  • displaced Ukrainians and their immediate family members arriving through the CUAET program
The types of services vary by organization, but often include:
  • ​one-on-one information and referral
  • workshops and support groups
  • peer support and mentoring
Find a settlement service agency near you that supports temporary residents and naturalized Canadian citizens. 

Visit the B.C. government’s Welcoming Ukraine page to learn more about the supports for displaced Ukrainians.
 
The Migrant Worker Hub includes many links and important information that may be helpful for temporary workers in B.C, and includes a map of services available across the province.
 
Visit the Working in B.C. page for more information on the rights of workers in B.C. 
 

Services for refugees and refugee claimants

Government-assisted refugees

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. 

IRCC has a video about what to expect as a refugee resettling in Canada.  
 

Privately sponsored refugees

Groups of volunteers in Canada can privately sponsor refugees. They will help newcomers adjust to life here. Sponsorship groups must support a refugee for 1 year after they arrive or until they can support themselves – whichever comes first. You do not need to pay your sponsor for these services. Sponsors are not allowed to ask you for money to help you resettle. 
 

Refugee claimants

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 needs.
  • Settlement Orientation Services at the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)
  • Multi-Lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities (MOSAIC).
More information on claiming refugee status from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
 

The Interim Federal Health Program

The Interim Federal Health Program provides limited, temporary healthcare benefits for specific groups of people in Canada who don’t have provincial, territorial, or private healthcare coverage. Protected persons, resettled refugees, and refugee claimants can apply for the program. Learn more and apply on the website. To get coverage, your health care provider must be registered with the Interim Federal Health Program. Find a registered healthcare provider in B.C.
 

Resettlement Assistance Program

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.
 

Refugee Readiness Fund

In response to the global humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and Ukraine, the Government of B.C. has created the Refugee Readiness Fund (RRF). The RRF is a one-time, two-year investment of $4 million to enhance federal and provincial refugee programs and programs for people arriving through the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.

The RRF provides additional resources for communities and private sponsors who are working to bring refugees and displaced Ukrainians to B.C. The funding is in place until March 31, 2024.

There are two types of teams funded by the RRF:
  • The BC Refugee Resource Network: for province-wide coordination, education, information sharing and data collection
  • Refugee Readiness Teams: Across six regions of the province, the teams support coordination of resources and information for refugees, CUAET arrivals, and community stakeholders. The teams also work with cultural organizations to help build their capacity to serve refugees and CUAET arrivals
For more information, contact your local Refugee Readiness Team or the BC Refugee Resource Network.
 

Refugee Readiness Team and BC Refugee Resource Network service providers

City Team Organization Address Contact



All of province

BC Refugee Resource Network (BCRRN)
AMSSA
Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC
4445 Norfolk Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 0A7
jlee@amssa.org
 
Toll Free 1-888- 355-5560
T 604-718-4222
Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coquitlam/Port Coquitlam, New Westminster, Port Moody and area


Metro Vancouver Refugee Readiness Team (MV RRT)


MOSAIC
M.O.S.A.I.C. Multi-Lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities




5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC V5R 2P9






MVRRT@mosaicbc.org
 
604-365-4578
Surrey, White Rock, Delta (including Tsawwassen), Langley South Fraser Refugee Readiness Team (SF RRT) DIVERSEcity
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
13455-76 Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 2W3 southfraserrrt@dcrs.ca
 
604-307-2738
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and area Fraser Valley Refugee Readiness Team (MV RRT) Archway
Archway Community Services Society
301-2975 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford BC V2T 5T4

FVRRT@archway.ca


Victoria, Nanaimo and the rest of the Island


RRT Vancouver Island

ICA
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
808 Douglas St., Suite 102, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2B6

RRT@icavictoria.org
 
250-388-4728
Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson and the remainder of the Region RRT Thompson Okanagan Kootenay KCRS
Kelowna Community Resources Society
620 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T2
RRT@kcr.ca 

Prince George and rest of North

RRT Cariboo North
DIVERSEcity
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
13455-76 Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 2W3
amorrison@dcrs.ca
 
604-307-2738
 

Information for refugees