The federal government of Canada, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), funds a national settlement program that provides free services to eligible newcomers in the provinces and territories outside Quebec. These services — delivered by community organizations, settlement agencies, immigrant services organizations, and other service providers under IRCC contribution agreements — help newcomers with language learning, employment, and building connections in their new communities. The settlement program covers six main service areas: needs assessments, information and orientation, language assessments, language training (including LINC and CLIC), employment-related services, and community connections. From April 1, 2026, economic class immigrants and their accompanying family are eligible for services for 6 years from their permanent residence date. Quebec operates its own settlement program under the provincial Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI). This page explains who is eligible, what services are available, the key language programs, and how to find settlement services.

For current settlement service eligibility and a service finder, refer to the IRCC find newcomer services page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s 8–13 — IRCC's authority over immigration programs includes the authority to fund settlement programs that support the integration of newcomers; IRCC's settlement program operates through contribution agreements with service-delivering organisations
• Canada-Quebec Accord Relating to Immigration and Temporary Admission of Aliens (1991) — the intergovernmental agreement under which the federal government provides Quebec with funding for settlement services (under the "Canada-Quebec Accord") and Quebec administers its own settlement program through MIFI; the federal government does not directly fund IRCC settlement services in Quebec
• IRCC Settlement Program Terms and Conditions — the policy framework governing IRCC's contribution agreements with settlement service providers; sets the six service areas, eligible clients, and performance expectations (canada.ca/settlement-terms)
• April 1, 2026 eligibility expansion — economic class immigrants and their accompanying family members now eligible for settlement services for 6 years from the date of permanent residence; announced in 2025-26 federal funding commitments
• IRCC: Find free newcomer services near you — ircc.canada.ca/newcomers-services

Who is eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services

Eligibility for federally-funded settlement services (outside Quebec) is based on immigration status:

• Permanent residents: eligible from the date of landing in Canada; the April 2026 change extends eligibility for economic class immigrants and their accompanying family to 6 years from the PR date
• Protected persons: Convention refugees and persons in need of protection who have been granted protection in Canada are eligible for settlement services
• Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) and Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs): resettled refugees are eligible and are often the highest-priority client group for settlement services; GAR support workers assist with initial settlement needs
• Refugee claimants (in some programs): some IRCC-funded programs and local service providers offer pre-arrival or early settlement support to refugee claimants pending their RPD hearing, though full federal settlement program eligibility requires protected person status or PR
• Not eligible: temporary residents on work permits, study permits, visitor visas, or eTA are generally not eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services — their stay is temporary and they are expected to be self-sufficient

Canadian citizens (including naturalized citizens) are not eligible for settlement services as they are no longer newcomers. Citizens who have already accessed services during their PR period would have completed their eligibility window.

The six settlement service areas

IRCC funds settlement services across six main areas, designed to address the different stages and needs of the settlement process:

1. Needs assessments and referrals: service providers assess a newcomer's specific settlement needs, skills, and goals at arrival or early in the settlement process, and refer them to appropriate services — both within and outside the settlement program
2. Information and orientation: providing newcomers with information about Canadian society, their rights and responsibilities, how government services work, and practical orientation to their local community
3. Language assessments: assessing a newcomer's English or French language proficiency using the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) — the language assessment determines placement in language training and may be required for other programs
4. Language training: providing free English or French language instruction through LINC (English) and CLIC (French) programs; classes are available from beginner through advanced levels and include job-specific language training for the workplace; see details below
5. Employment-related services: helping newcomers find employment that matches their skills and education, including foreign credential recognition support, job search skills, resume preparation, mentoring, and workplace culture orientation
6. Community connections: linking newcomers with community supports, volunteer opportunities, host community members, and social networks — helping newcomers build relationships and integrate into their communities beyond formal service provision

LINC and CLIC — free language programs

Language training is one of the most widely used and impactful components of the IRCC settlement program:

• Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC): free English-language classes at all levels (CLB 1 through CLB 8 and beyond) for eligible newcomers in English-speaking communities; classes are offered in-person, online, and in blended formats; child minding and transportation support may be available at some providers
• Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC): the French-language equivalent of LINC for newcomers in French-speaking communities outside Quebec
• Advanced job-specific language classes: specialised language training focused on the vocabulary and communication skills needed for specific occupations (such as healthcare, trades, or business); these programs help newcomers whose general English or French is adequate but who need sector-specific language skills
• Language training is typically delivered by school boards, colleges, community agencies, and online platforms under IRCC contribution agreements

April 2026 — 6-year eligibility for economic immigrants

From April 1, 2026, economic class immigrants (and their accompanying family members) are eligible to access IRCC-funded settlement services for 6 years from the date they became permanent residents. This change applies regardless of whether the economic immigrant became a PR before or after April 1, 2026 — meaning immigrants who became PR in the years preceding the change may also be eligible (within the 6-year window). This is a significant expansion of the eligibility period for economic class newcomers. For current eligibility details and to confirm whether you are within the 6-year window, refer to the IRCC newcomer services page.

Finding settlement services

IRCC provides a free newcomer services finder that lists IRCC-funded service providers by location. Newcomers can find services near them at ircc.canada.ca/newcomers-services — the finder allows searching by postal code, province, and service type. Settlement services are free to eligible newcomers — there is no charge for accessing language training, employment support, or other services delivered under IRCC contribution agreements.

Quebec — separate program under MIFI

Settlement services in Quebec are administered by the provincial Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) under the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord. IRCC does not directly fund settlement services in Quebec. Newcomers settling in Quebec access MIFI-funded services, including French language training (FRANCISATION QUÉBEC) and integration support, through Quebec's provincial network. For Quebec settlement services, refer to the Quebec immigration selection page or directly to MIFI.

Settlement services in Canada are widely available but frequently underused — many newcomers, particularly economic immigrants and skilled workers who arrive with English or French proficiency and professional skills, may not realise they are eligible for free employment support, credential recognition assistance, or community connections programs. Language training in particular has a strong evidence base for improving labour market outcomes — newcomers whose language skills are already functional at a professional level may still benefit from sector-specific language programs. The April 2026 expansion of economic immigrant eligibility to 6 years recognises that the settlement journey is longer than previously assumed and that some newcomers need support years after arrival. The provider landscape is large and varied — quality and service availability differ significantly by city and region; major urban centres (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa) have dense networks of providers while smaller cities and rural areas may have fewer options. For the current service finder, language program information, and eligibility criteria, refer to the IRCC find newcomer services page.