CHANGES TO SETTLEMENT SERVICES ELIGIBILITY

Submitted by Jaya Kiran on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 18:58

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada is introducing limits to settlement service eligibility for economic immigrants. Limiting how long economic immigrants can access these services encourages earlier use and keeps the services available for newcomers who need them most.

 

Currently, economic immigrants can access federally funded settlement services at any time after obtaining permanent residence and before obtaining Canadian citizenship. In support of this Budget 2025 commitment, the length of time they are able to access these services, as permanent residents, will change gradually to:

 

  • up to 6 years after obtaining permanent residence, as of April 1, 2026 
  • up to 5 years after obtaining permanent residence, as of April 1, 2027 

These changes apply to current and new economic class permanent residents, including principal applicants and their accompanying spouses and dependents. Settlement services help eligible newcomers build successful lives in Canada by supporting their economic, social, and cultural integration into communities across the country. The Settlement program continues to support newcomers in overcoming barriers to integrating into Canadian society.

 

You’re eligible for settlement services if you’re:

  • a permanent resident (PR), including a resettled refugee
  • a successful permanent residence applicant (approved in principle)
    • You got a letter confirming the approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  • a protected person who received a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
  • a temporary resident (or their dependant) in certain employment programs, such as: 
    • Atlantic Immigration Program
    • Rural and Northern Immigration Program
  • a person approved under certain pathways, such as: 
    • Palestinians who left Gaza on or after September 1, 2023, and their families (until March 31, 2027)
    • a participant of Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (including their families)

 

Source: Canada.ca | Settling in Canada