Useful places to start your life in Canada

The federal directory for free newcomer services, including settlement, language, employment, housing and community referrals.

The federal newcomer hub covers life in Canada, jobs, housing, healthcare, language, taxes and benefits.

Free online programs can help eligible newcomers prepare before arrival, including job search and credential support.

A searchable multilingual library of newcomer information on housing, work, healthcare and everyday settlement.

Free information, referrals, workshops and newcomer meetups, with online and in-person options in Ontario.

Settlement, language, employment, counselling and family support programs for newcomers in the Surrey and Lower Mainland area.

British Columbia; use the IRCC directory to find a local agency elsewhere.

Ontario-focused answers, organization listings and a useful Resources Around Me directory for local services.

Especially useful if you live in Ontario.

Find government-funded English or French classes and understand language assessment and placement.

Plain-language resources for learning English or French and understanding Canadian Language Benchmarks.

A national guide to rental searches, lease terms, deposits, inspections, repairs and tenant responsibilities.

Use 211 to find local housing help, emergency shelter, food programs, rent banks and tenant support.

A national coalition directory that helps you find rent bank programs and emergency housing stability support.

Find a food bank or community food program near you when you need help making the first grocery budget work.

Learn how provincial and territorial tenancy systems work, then use your local government or 211 to find the right office.

Find shelters and crisis services for women and children experiencing violence anywhere in Canada.

The Government of Canada's job search site includes newcomer guidance, job postings, alerts and career tools.

Check whether your profession is regulated and find the correct provincial or territorial assessment body.

A national referral point for people figuring out which organizations assess international education and professional credentials.

Interest-free loans and support for internationally trained immigrants who need help paying for credential recognition.

Employment programs, mentorship and job search support for skilled immigrants, with strong local programming in Ontario.

Look for school, training and post-secondary information through federal and provincial education directories.

Free digital skills and employment training for people building a career in Canada.

A newcomer-friendly overview of health cards, provincial plans, doctors, dentists and mental-health support.

Understand the public health system and the fact that each province or territory manages its own plan.

Find federal and provincial benefits, including family, disability, dental, housing and income supports.

Find a local health or social service referral through 211 when you are unsure which door to use.

Call or text 9-8-8 any time for suicide crisis support, in English or French.

Find provincial and territorial health resources, public-health information and links to local services.

Apply for your Social Insurance Number through Service Canada and learn how to protect it.

A clear CRA guide to your first tax return, benefit applications, residency and Canadian financial ties.

Learn what identification you need to open a bank account and what questions to ask before choosing one.

Order your credit report, learn how credit scores work and understand how to dispute an error.

Learn how to recognize, report and recover from fraud, including fake immigration, tax and job offers.

Get CRA-specific guidance on common scams and how the agency contacts taxpayers.

Find free tax clinics and community organizations that help eligible people file a return.

Use 211 to find local legal clinics, settlement workers, housing advocates and social service referrals.

Find services and information for people experiencing family violence, including emergency support.

Find shelters and crisis services for women and children, searchable by province and community.

Learn about your rights and responsibilities when dealing with federal human-rights discrimination complaints.

Find the right provincial or territorial legal aid office through the Government of Canada justice directory.

For urgent danger, call 911. For a non-urgent service referral, call 211 and explain your city and situation.

Search your municipality for public libraries, recreation centres, newcomer programs, free Wi-Fi and community calendars.

Search the 211 directory by city, postal code, language and need for local programs that do not always rank in search results.

Look for free events, language exchanges, volunteer opportunities and interest-based groups near you.

Search for local cultural festivals, workshops, neighbourhood events and community information sessions.

Search phrases such as “newcomers in [city]”, “[language] community in [city]” or “[country] association Canada”.

Check the group's recent activity, rules and moderation before sharing personal documents or sending money.

Use cultural associations, faith communities, alumni networks and professional groups to find language-specific local connections.

Toronto area; use the IRCC directory to find an organization in other cities.

A national organization that helps newcomers connect with Canadian communities through settlement, employment and community programs.

Use the IRCC directory first to find an agency in your city; services and eligibility vary by location.

Search the official Canadian directory of foreign embassies, high commissions, consulates and representative offices in Canada.

Use the destination search to find embassy and consulate information when you need help from your own government.

Find Canadian embassies and consulates abroad for travel, citizenship, emergency and document services.

Ask your embassy or consulate about passport renewal, civil-status documents, notarization, emergency travel and voting from abroad.

Search for your country's cultural association, chamber of commerce, alumni network or language community in your city.