Free means free. Government-funded settlement agencies never charge for their services. If an organization asks you to pay for "settlement help," it is not one of these agencies.
First, who qualifies for what
Eligibility depends on your status, so check before you assume:
- Permanent residents, protected persons, and resettled refugees qualify for the full range of federally funded (IRCC) settlement services.
- Refugee claimants are not eligible for every IRCC-funded program — but many provinces and community organizations run services that do serve claimants. The practical move: contact the agency nearest you and ask what they can offer someone with your status. The answer is very often "quite a lot."
What settlement agencies actually do
- Language classes. Free English (and French) training with levels for complete beginners — including classes scheduled around work shifts.
- Job search help. Résumé writing in the Canadian format, interview practice, and sometimes direct connections to local employers who hire newcomers.
- Credential guidance. If you had a trade or profession back home, advisors explain how recognition works in your province and what the realistic first step is.
- Everyday settlement. School enrolment for children, health card applications, housing guidance, banking basics — the paperwork of starting a life.
- Interpretation. Many agencies work in dozens of languages, so "my English is basic" is not a barrier to getting help.
How to find one
- Open the official IRCC directory: Find free newcomer services near you.
- Enter your city or postal code and pick an agency close to you.
- Contact them and say your status and what you need — for example, "I am a refugee claimant and I'm looking for work." They will tell you exactly which of their programs you can use.
How this connects to your job search
A good sequence that many newcomers follow: register with a settlement agency, get your résumé into Canadian format with their help, then apply to entry-friendly openings — the kind we list — while your language classes run in parallel. Work and language progress feed each other.
- Browse entry-friendly openings — wages always shown, free to apply
- Working in Canada as a refugee claimant — what needs to be in place first