newcomers · Canada
Newcomers in Canada
First steps, trusted services and people who have done it before you.
CAN×Newcomers
Newcomers · Canada · 31 public bodies
Canada · newcomers
Newcomers in Canada
First steps, trusted services and people who have done it before you.
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Canada
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First steps
This guide for Canada is being prepared and will be reviewed by a qualified professional. It gives information and referrals, never legal advice.
First steps
6 topics- 01Status and documents
Residence, asylum and family reunification: where to find official information and qualified help.
- 02Work and qualifications
Recognition of qualifications, licensing paths and first jobs.
- 03Language
Host-language courses and heritage-language schools.
- 04Health and wellbeing
Registering with health services and finding culturally competent care.
- 05Housing and money
Housing, banking and avoiding scams that target newcomers.
- 06Community
Meeting people safely: the local cell, events and mentors.
Public bodies for newcomers in Canada
31 public bodies, by what each one deals with. Each one is checked against its official page (last on 23 October 2026).
Asylum and refugee protection
4 bodies- Claim refugee protection from inside Canadaverified
How to make a refugee claim in Canada and what happens next.
- Immigration and Refugee Board of Canadaverified
The independent tribunal that decides refugee claims and appeals.
- UNHCR Canadaverified
The UN Refugee Agency office in Canada.
- Canadian Council for Refugeesverified
A national network of groups that work with refugees and immigrants.
Settlement and integration
4 bodies- Find free newcomer services near youverified
Find free settlement services funded by the Government of Canada, outside Quebec.
- Settlement.Orgverified
Information for newcomers to Ontario, in several languages.
- Immigration in Quebecverified
Official information and services for immigrants settling in Quebec.
- Immigration and newcomersto verify
City information and services for newcomers to Ottawa.
Health and mental health
3 bodies- Interim Federal Health Program (temporary health care coverage)verified
Temporary health coverage for refugee claimants and resettled refugees.
- 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helplineverified
Call or text 9-8-8 for support in English or French, day and night.
- Health care in Canadaverified
How to get a provincial health card and find a doctor.
Culture and festivals
2 bodies- Aga Khan Museumverified
A museum of art from Muslim civilisations, with collections from Iran.
- Tirganverified
A festival of Iranian arts and culture in Toronto.
Language learning
2 bodies- Improve your English or Frenchverified
Free language classes for eligible permanent residents.
- Francisation Québecverified
Free French courses for immigrants in Quebec.
Legal help and discrimination
2 bodies- Canadian Human Rights Commissionverified
Complaints about discrimination in federally regulated services and work.
- Legal Aid Ontariosecondary
Free legal help for people with low income, including refugee claims.
Recognition of qualifications
2 bodies- Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC)verified
Information on how studies and credentials from abroad are assessed in Canada.
- Foreign Credential Recognitionsecondary
How to start the recognition of credentials from abroad, beginning with the regulator for your occupation.
Study and research centres
1 body- Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studiessecondary
A research and teaching institute for Iranian studies.
Arrival and status
1 body- Immigration and citizenshipverified
Official information on visas, permanent residence and status in Canada.
Citizenship
1 body- Canadian citizenshipverified
How to apply for citizenship, the test and the ceremony.
Money and digital help
1 body- Financial Consumer Agency of Canadaverified
Information on banking, credit and your rights as a consumer.
Disability
1 body- Disability benefitsverified
Federal benefits and supports for people with disabilities.
Schools and education
1 body- New life in Canada: educationverified
How schools and education work for newcomer families.
Older people
1 body- Old Age Securityverified
The federal pension for people aged 65 and over.
Emergency numbers
1 body- 911: police, fire, ambulanceverified
Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance.
Work and business
1 body- Job Bankverified
The national job board and labour market information.
Family and women
1 body- ShelterSafeverified
A map of shelters for women and children escaping violence.
Housing
1 body- Housing in Canadaverified
How to find a place to live and your rights as a tenant.
Young people
1 body- Kids Help Phoneverified
Free, confidential support for young people, day and night.
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