About
Get help before arriving in Canada: About pre-arrival services
What is a pre-arrival service?
You and your family can get free in-person and online services to help prepare for and adjust to life in Canada.
We call these pre-arrival services.
Why use a pre-arrival service?
Pre-arrival services can help you to prepare for your move to Canada, get your education, work experience and credentials recognized; and more!
You can access all of these services funded by IRCC for free.
Pre-Arrival programs offer:
- Employment Services
- Family and Youth Services
- Settlement Information
- Information on life in Canada
- Mentorships
STEP 1: Immigrating to Canada? See if you qualify for pre-arrival services
Eligibility for pre-arrival services:
- IRCC approved your permanent residence application
- you’re currently outside Canada
- you have one of these documents:
- a letter from IRCC saying you can get pre-arrival services
- a confirmation of permanent residence letter/document
- a passport request letter that indicates permanent resident visa issuance
- a letter from IRCC asking for your medical exam results
- a single-entry permanent resident visa
- a letter from IRCC letting you know you can pick up your permanent resident visa
- *Please note: A Biometrics letter/document is not a valid document for pre-arrival program registration
You can’t get pre-arrival services if you’re coming to Canada for a short time. For example, temporary residents visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit don’t qualify for pre-arrival services.
STEP 2: Pick Your Pre-Arrival Services
Pre-Arrival Program Categories:
Click on the tabs below for more information on pre-arrival program categories. You can register for more than one pre-arrival program, as many as you are eligible for, and have the time to commit to your chosen programs.
Pre-Arrival Program Categories:
Click on the category choices on the left for more information on pre-arrival programs. You can register for more than one pre-arrival program, as many as you are eligible for, and have the time to commit to your chosen programs.
Settlement Programs can help you get information on how to move to, live and work in Canada. They also provide information on finding accommodation and registering children in school.
Pre-arrival service organizations assess your needs and create a personalized plan to help you settle in Canada. You can choose Settlement and Employment pre-arrival programs. They’ll connect you with any other pre-arrival services you need and with organizations for services you can get after you arrive in Canada.
General Employment Programs can help you prepare to find work in Canada. They can help you:
- search for and find employment
- write your Canadian-style resume
- learn about Canadian workplace culture
- find a mentor with experience
- prepare to get your credentials recognized
Industry-Specific Employment Programs provide assistance and information specific to various industries. For example: You have been trained or educated in Nursing or Engineering.
- search for and find employment specific to your industry
- write your Canadian-style resume
- learn about Canadian workplace culture
- find a mentor with experience in your field
- prepare to get your credentials recognized in your trained field
If you are looking for Pre-Arrival Programs and services in the French language only, please click here for more information.
STEP 3: Complete your registration
In Step 3, you will complete your registration form. You will need the following documents in order to successfully complete your registration:
- A Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) letter/document
- A passport request letter that indicates Permanent Resident visa issuance
- An IRCC request that an applicant for permanent residence complete a medical examination
- A Single Entry Permanent Resident Visa
- A Permanent Resident Visa pick up notification letter
- An IRCC invitation to obtain pre-arrival services
- *Please note: A Biometrics letter/document is not a valid document for pre-arrival program registration
- A copy of your updated English language resume
- Some pre-arrival programs may require a language assessment document
- The documents provided during each registration should be unique to the person registering