Settlement – Canada

What is settlement? 

The mutual adaptation of the immigrants/ refugees with the host society within a short period can be termed as settlement. During the settlement period, the respective government offers financial support and settlement services to the immigrants so that they adjust and adapt to their new lifestyle.

What is the CIC Settlement program? 

One of the most welcoming countries across the world towards immigrants is Canada, as the country was initially built and developed by immigrants. Thus, many people tend to move to Canada for various reasons, including better work-life balance, paid statutory holidays, paid maternity leave, excellent health care services, and many more. Further, the immigration policies in Canada are decided by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is also responsible for deciding who will enter the country. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) has the authority of the settlement program of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), which directly contributes to promoting the integrity of the permanent residents in Canada. It also recognizes the mutual responsibility for new immigrants and the Canadian community.

One of the main objectives of the CIC’s Settlement Program is to guide and foster the immigrants and refugees to defeat the barriers, which will allow them to participate in the social, civic, cultural, and economic lifestyle in Canada. Overall, the broader mission of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is supported by the settlement program, which is committed to fulfilling the department’s strategic objectives. The new immigrants and the existing Canadian citizens participate in nurturing a unified society.

What are settlement funds, and why are they required? 

In order to support themselves financially while moving to Canada, an immigrant must have a minimum amount of money, which should be shown as proof to the Immigration authorities as a part of the immigration process. The minimum amount of money can be referred to as a settlement fund, also known as proof of funds. All economic immigrants should show a sufficient amount of money as proof of funds, indicating that they are financially independent and capable of supporting themselves and their accompanying family members. However, the minimum amount of funds required depends on the size of the immigrant’s family. These funds will cover the fees, relocation costs, and costs to settle in Canada.

The federal government of Canada changes the number of settlement funds every year in small increments, which also affects the immigrant’s eligibility requirements. Meanwhile, anyone applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or those who already have an employment offer from the designated employer need not show proof of funds. Also, the settlement funds should be readily available to the immigrants, and proof of funds will not be accepted if borrowed from others.

What are settlement plans, and why are they needed? 

A plan or a framework that describes what an immigrant and their sponsor ( a Canadian citizen or PR who is above 18 years of age and legally supports a member of the family class to become a permanent resident of Canada) will do to orient and settle down in the new country can be called a settlement plan.

The settlement plan, in other words, can assist the immigrants to get used to the new lifestyle by guiding them on who will do what, when, and how. Basically, a settlement plan is prepared by the private sponsors or individual sponsors who will indicate how they will assist the new immigrants to establish themselves in the new country. Once the plan is prepared, it should be submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the assessment process, which will also evaluate if the sponsors can support the immigrants financially. Therefore, a settlement plan is needed so that the sponsors and the immigrants will get an idea and understanding of how to set up their way of life in Canada.

What are settlement services, and why is it necessary? 

Settlement Services are services provided by an agency to help newcomers to settle and integrate in Canada. The agency is known as a settlement service provider organization, which offers services including assistance in translation of languages, job or training opportunities, information about schools, transportation, health care, insurance, etc. The settlement services are funded either partially or entirely by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) so that the immigrants get used to the Canadian way of life. The main aim of providing the settlement services is to ensure that the settlement needs of the newcomers are met. They are offered to the immigrants who satisfy the respective eligibility requirements. In order to make a successful transition and establish their new lifestyle in Canada, the newcomers should use the settlement services offered to them, which are entirely free and confidential. The settlement services are necessary for every newcomer to integrate into Canadian society.