Last Updated On 4 February 2023, 7:51 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Moving to Canada and starting a new life here can be very overwhelming. Most newcomers have a lot of concerns about settling in a new country.

And it is quite understandable. However, if you are a newcomer to Canada, don’t worry the government has got you covered.

The Canadian government funds a lot of settlement agencies to make the transition easier for newcomers.

These agencies provide pre-arrival settlement services to help newcomers adapt to a new country. Pre-arrival services are programs offered online or in person.

Moreover, these programs are free and help newcomers to better understand life in Canada.

Also, some services can help you find a job. They can help you get your education or work experience recognized in Canada.

Furthermore, some programs provide you with specific information regarding your profession. This could include language training or essential skills training.

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Listed below are the organizations and how they can help you settle in Canada

Active Engagement and Integration Project

This project offers in-person services in China, and also online services globally, such as:

general information about living in Canada
orientation to education, health care, housing, and transportation in Canada
needs assessment
referrals to community services.

Planning for Canada

The program offers in-person services in India and the Philippines and also online services globally, including:

general information about living in Canada
orientation to education, health care, housing, and transportation in Canada
needs assessment
referrals to community services.

Next Stop Canada

This organization offers online services globally, including:

general information about living in Canada
orientation to education, health care, housing, and transportation in Canada
needs assessment
referrals to community services
specialized programming for youth between 12 to 19 years old, such as connections to youth mentors.

Connexions Francophones

This program offers in-person services in Morocco and online services globally. Moreover, if you want to live in a Francophone community in Canada, they can help you with:

information and orientation
connections with Francophone local organizations
needs assessment
a personalized settlement plan with other links to in-Canada resources.

Organizations that help with career and job search

Active Engagement and Integration Project (AEIP)

This project offers online services globally. It helps you:

write your resume
prepare to work in Canada
get your credentials recognized
attend online job fairs to learn about potential employers.

Canada InfoNet

This organization offers online services globally to help you:

prepare for work
access employer-interactive webinars
access job matching platforms
find a mentor with experience in your sector
learn about Canadian workplace culture.

Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA)

This organization offers online services globally. They offer support such as:

online courses, including “Job Search Strategies” and “Working in Canada”
webinars
help for preparing to work in Canada.

Connexions Francophones

This program offers employment services to French-speaking newcomers wishing to settle in Francophone communities. Services include:

virtual job fairs in real-time with potential employers seeking French-speaking employees
how to prepare to work in Canada and also get your credentials recognized
webinars about mentoring, writing a resume, and Canadian workplace culture.

The British Columbia Construction Association Integrating Newcomers (BCCA-IN) program provides free one-on-one pre-arrival services to newcomers with a construction background. Services BCCA-IN offers are –

skills assessment
job leads
accreditation advice
settlement services referrals.

BCCA-IN supports architects, designers, project managers, estimators, engineers, tradespeople, and those in strategic business support groups

BuildON

This organization offers online services globally. If you plan on living in Ontario, BuildOn offers services that focus on:

construction
skilled trades
engineering.

ACCES Employment: Canadian Employment Connections and Entrepreneurship Connections Pre-Arrival (CEC-ECP)

This organization offers online services globally. They offer industry-specific job services, including one-on-one coaching, to help you:

prepare to look for jobs
prepare to work in Canada
learn about workplace culture.

Global Onboarding of Talent Initiative (GO Talent)

This initiative offers online services globally. They support newcomers from the information and technology sector to help you:

with sector-specific help
attend career events
find a job
get your credentials recognized.

Integrating Newcomers

This Canada-wide program offers pre-arrival employment support services to prepare newcomers for jobs in the construction industry, no matter what city, province, or territory you’re moving to.

Professions supported include

tradespeople
engineers (in any discipline)
architects
technicians
technologists
Business support specialists.

Pre-Arrival Supports and Services Program (PASS)

This program helps nurses prepare to work in Canada’s healthcare field. PASS provides connections to sector-specific information including:

workplace practices in health care
mentoring with Canadian nurses
schools
the nursing registration process
regulatory bodies.

Who is eligible?

You can get these services, if:

Your permanent residence (PR) application has been approved.
You are currently living outside of Canada.
You have one of these documents:
- letter saying you can get pre-arrival services
- confirmation of permanent residence letter
- a passport request letter that indicates permanent resident visa issuance
- letter asking for your medical exam results
- single-entry permanent resident visa
- letter from us letting your know you can pick up your permanent resident visa