Settlement services

Last updated: September 17, 2024


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.

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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 Newcomer Services Program (BCNSP) 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
  • Naturalized Canadian citizens
  • Displaced Ukrainians and their immediate family members with valid CUAET visas 
  • Some refugee claimants (More support is available through the BC SAF HAVN 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. 
 
Community (A-Z) Service provider     Phone    
100 Mile House Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society 250-644-5869
Abbotsford Archway Community Services
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
604-859-7681
604-630-0316
Agassiz-Harrison Mission Community Services Society 604-826-3634
Ashcroft Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Barriere Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Burnaby ISSofBC
MOSAIC
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
604-684-2561
604-630-0316
604-254-9626
604-684-1628
Cache Creek Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Campbell River     MISA of North Vancouver Island 250-830-0171
Castlegar Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Cawston Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Chase Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Chemainus Cowichan Intercultural Society 250-748-3112
Cherryville Vernon & District Immigrant and Community Services 250-542-4177
Chilliwack Chilliwack Community Services 604-792-4267
Clearwater Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Clinton Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Coquitlam S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B
604-630-0316
604-468-6000
Comox Valley MISA of North Vancouver Island 250-830-0171
Courtenay MISA of North Vancouver Island 250-830-0171
Cranbrook  Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Creston Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Dawson Creek Dawson Creek Literacy Society 250-782-4211
Duncan Cowichan Intercultural Society 250-748-3112
Fernie Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Fort Nelson Fort Nelson Community Literacy Society 250-774-4415
Fort St. John S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 250-785-5323
Gibsons Capilano University
ISSofBC
604-885-9310
604-567-4490
Golden Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Grand Forks Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Gulf Islands Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society 250-361-9433
Hedley Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Hope Read Right Society 604-860-0510
Invermere Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Kaleden Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Kamloops Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Kelowna     Kelowna Community Resources Society 250-763-8008
Kimberley Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Kitimat Kitimat Community Services Society 250-632-9107
Ladner S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 604-638-9881
Ladysmith Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society 250-753-6911
Lake Cowichan Cowichan Intercultural Society 250-748-3112
Langley City & Township Langley Community Services Society
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
604-534-7921
604-630-0316
Lillooet Capilano University
ISSofBC
Lillooet & District Library
604-885-9310
604-567-4490
250-256-7944
Lumby Vernon & District Immigrant and Community Services 250-542-4177
Mackenzie Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Maple Ridge ISSofBC 778-372-6567
McBride Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Merritt    Kamloops-Cariboo Regional Immigrants Society 778-470-6101
Mill Bay Cowichan Intercultural Society 250-748-3112
Mission Mission Community Services Society 604-826-3634
Mt. Waddington Regional District MISA of North Vancouver Island 250-830-0171
Nanaimo Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society 250-753-6911
Naramata Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Nelson Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
New Westminster ISSofBC
MOSAIC
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
604-684-2561
604-630-0316
604-254-9626
604-684-1628
North Cowichan Cowichan Intercultural Society 250-748-3112
North Delta DIVERSEcity
Options Community Services
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
604-597-0205
604-584-5811
604-596-7722
604-498-5070
North Vancouver Impact North Shore 604-988-2931
Okanagan Falls Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Oliver Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Osoyoos Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Parksville Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society 250-753-6911
Pemberton Capilano University
ISSofBC
604-885-9310
604-567-4490
Penticton Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Pitt Meadows ISSofBC 778-372-6567
Port Alberni Literacy Alberni Society 250-723-7323
Port Coquitlam     S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 604-468-6000
Port Moody     S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 604-468-6000
Powell River Lift Community Services
ISSofBC
604-485-2004
604-567-4490
Prince George IMSS of Prince George
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
1-877-562-2977
604-630-0316
Prince Rupert Hecate Strait Employment Development Society 250-624-9498
Princeton Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Quesnel Literacy Quesnel Society
New Focus Society
778-414-9119
250-992-3119
Revelstoke Shuswap Immigrant Services Society 250-804-2726
Richmond S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 604-638-9881
Rossland Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Saanich Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society
250-388-4728
250-361-9433
Salmon Arm Shuswap Immigrant Services Society 250-804-2726
Sechelt Capilano University
ISSofBC
604-885-9310
604-567-4490
Sidney Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society 250-361-9433
Smithers Smithers Community Services Association 250-847-9515
Sooke  Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society
250-388-4728
250-361-9433
Squamish Capilano University
ISSofBC
604-885-9310
604-567-4490
Summerland Penticton & District Multicultural Society 250-492-6299
Surrey DIVERSEcity
Options Community Services
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
604-597-0205
604-630-0316
604-584-5811
604-596-7722
604-498-5070
Terrace     Skeena Diversity Society 250-635-6530
Trail Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Tsawwassen S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 604-638-9881
Valemount Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Vancouver Collingwood Neighbourhood House
Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
Gordon Neighbourhood House
ISSofBC
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
MOSAIC
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
Marpole Neighbourhood House
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
604-435-0323
604-251-1225
604-683-2554
604-684-2561
604-254-5401
604-630-0316
604-879-7104
604-254-9626
604-879-8208
604-628-5663
604-684-1628
Vanderhoof Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy 250-342-2475
Vernon     Vernon & District Immigrant and Community Services 250-542-4177
Victoria Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society
La Cooperative du Relais Francophone de la C.B.
250-388-4728
604-630-0316
250-361-9433
West Vancouver Impact North Shore 604-988-2931
Westshore Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society
250-388-4728
250-361-9433
Whistler Capilano University
ISSofBC
604-885-9310
604-567-4490
White Rock Options Community Services
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (Labour Market services only)
Sources Community Resources Society
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
604-584-5811
604-596-7722
604-531-6226
604-498-5070
Williams Lake Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society 250-392-7833


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. 

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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 are a refugee claimant, or if you do not have refugee status but want to seek asylum in Canada, it is important to understand the steps you will have to take to file a refugee claim and obtain a hearing.

You can contact an organization that delivers the BC Services and Assistance for Humanitarian and Vulnerable Newcomers (BC SAF HAVN) program. BC SAF HAVN has specialized supports to navigate the refugee claim process and get help with your immediate needs.

Find a service provider near you that delivers the BC SAF HAVN program.
 
Community
(A-Z)
Service provider Address        Phone       
Abbotsford Archway Community Services 2420 Montrose Ave,
Abbotsford, BC V2S 3S9
604-859-7681
Coquitlam S.U.C.C.E.S.S. #2058 - 1163 Pinetree Way,
Coquitlam, BC V3B 8A9
604-468-6000
Kelowna Kelowna Community Resources Society 620 Leon Ave,
Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T2
250-763-8008


Surrey
DIVERSEcity


Options Community Services Society
13455 76 Avenue,
Surrey, BC V3W 2W3

9815 - 140th Street,
Surrey, BC V3T 4M4
604-597-0205


604-584-5811


Vancouver
ISSof BC


MOSAIC
2610 Victoria Drive,
Vancouver, BC V5N 4L2

5575 Boundary Road,
Vancouver, BC V5R 2P9
604-684-2561


604-254-9626
Victoria Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria 808 Douglas St., Suite 102,
Victoria, BC V8W 2B6
250-388-4728

More information on claiming refugee status from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
 

Refugee Readiness Fund

In response to the global humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and Ukraine, the Government of B.C. created the Refugee Readiness Fund (RRF) from March 2022 to March 2024. The RRF was a one-time, two-year investment of $4 million to enhance federal and provincial refugee programs and programs for people who arrived through the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program.
 

Information for refugees

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