Five free settlement resources for temporary foreign workers in Canada
Although most Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) settlement services are reserved for permanent residents and protected persons, temporary foreign workers (TFWs) are eligible to access some settlement services from provincial and territorial governments across Canada.
Note: Settlement services are offered by a range of providers in all Canadian provinces and territories, all of whom have their own policies, eligibility criteria and offerings.
Am I eligible for IRCC’s settlement services?
Eligibility for settlement services often depends on the criteria outlined by a particular service provider.
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According to IRCC, some temporary residents in Canada are eligible for federal settlement services. The department clarifies that IRCC-funded settlement services for TFWs have different eligibility criteria than those provided by privately funded organizations, non-profits and provincially or municipally funded service providers.
Five organizations that provide settlement services for foreign workers in Canada
Temporary foreign workers in Canada can access helpful settlement services and resources that address several areas of concern. These focus areas include language training, obtaining a license or certification for employment, finding a job and connecting with one’s local community.
The following five organizations have resources that TFWs can access to help with their settlement in Canada.
Note: The organizations below are not funded by IRCC.
Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto (NEW)
NEW is a newcomer services organization specializing in assisting women through its head office in Toronto, Ontario and three other locations across Toronto and North York, Ontario. Offering several different services (see below) in eight different languages*, NEW can help Ontario-based TFWs in a variety of ways.
*NEW offers settlement program services in Arabic, Farsi, Mandarin, Bengali/Bangla, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Spanish
NEW services
- Assistance with government services
- English language classes
- Citizenship test preparation
- Support with accessing healthcare, education, housing and employment
CCI Ottawa
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
CCI Ottawa provides TFWs with a variety of settlement services, ranging from help with obtaining* required documents and applications (health card, work permit) to citizenship test preparation workshops and advice on life in Ottawa.
*CCI clarifies that the organization will not fill out any documents or applications on behalf of a client
CCI Ottawa services
- Help with obtaining required documents and applications
- Monthly citizenship test preparation workshops
- Tools to help find housing and information about tenant rights
- Counselling
- Workshops and activities for youth between the ages of 15 and 25
- Advice and information on life in Ottawa
Mosaic British Columbia
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia and Burnaby, British Columbia
Operating through the British Columbia Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS) program, Mosaic British Columbia helps TFWs access “essential support and information” in a variety of areas under the umbrella of immigration and settlement services.
Mosaic services
- One-on-one settlement support
- Support with reporting workplace issues as a TFW
- Educational workshops
- English conversation circles
- Workshops on computer literacy, renter’s rights, and accessing resources including healthcare and community programs
- Support with getting financial help and government assistance
- Social connection events
- Support in an emergency: accessing food, hygiene, toys and more
Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS)
Location: Richmond, British Columbia
Offering their settlement services in 15 different languages, RMCS can help TFWs by providing clients with important and actionable information on a variety of topics.
*RMCS offers services in English, Greek, Arabic, Punjabi, Japanese, Urdu, Vietnamese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Farsi and French
- RMCS services
- Help with accessing government services
- Assistance with resumes and cover letters
- Information about employment and job trends
- Information health care services
- English conversation classes
- Information on housing and education
- Help with permanent residence applications and renewals
- Information about sponsoring family members
- Assistance with income tax
- Help with subsidies
- Assistance with applications for employment insurance, visas and passports
CSS Alberta
Location: Edmonton, Alberta and Red Deer, Alberta
CSS Alberta can help TFWs through their one-on-one services, which they offer in “multiple” languages.
CSS Alberta services
- Information to help TFWs learn about their new community
- Information about accessing healthcare, housing and education for children
- Assistance with clarification of different forms and applications
- Connecting newcomers with cultural or faith-based communities
- Help with understanding permanent residence options
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