International Organization for Migration
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
REV-OVS-11
This page contains information on the support that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides through active agreements with IRCC. It also includes the key contacts for each service or program area.
IRCC has agreements with IOM to
- provide pre-departure medical services under the Interim Federal Health Program
- provide pre-departure resettlement supports, including Canadian Orientation Abroad, under the Resettlement Assistance Program
- provide movement assistance with travel, including access to the Loan for transportation to Canada under the Immigration Loans Program
On this page
- Pre-departure medical services
- Pre-departure resettlement supports
- Movement assistance and Loans for transportation to Canada
- Contacting the International Organization for Migration
Pre-departure medical services
IRCC has a letter of intent signed with the IOM under the Interim Federal Health Program to deliver pre-departure medical services to eligible clients who are selected by Canada under the resettlement program, complementary pathways, public policies or other special immigration programs before they leave for Canada. These supports include
- immigration medical examinations
- treatment for medical conditions that would otherwise make refugees inadmissible to Canada for posing a danger to public health, under paragraph 38(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- certain supports (including medical escorts) and devices that refugees with medical conditions need for safe travel to Canada
- immunization
- management of communicable disease outbreaks in refugee camps, transit centres or temporary settlements
For more information
- consult Get medical services before you leave for Canada
- or contact IRCC.IFHP-PFSI.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Pre-departure resettlement supports
IRCC has a grant agreement with the IOM under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) to provide pre-departure supports to RAP-eligible clients applying under the Resettlement Program, complementary pathways, public policies or other special immigration responses. These supports include
- helping clients submit complete and accurate applications (that is, filling out forms—for government-assisted refugees [GARs] only)
- arranging for the space, logistics and equipment needed to conduct in-person or remote selection interviews
- arranging for interpreters at selection interviews
- arranging for accommodations (except for complementary pathways clients), transportation, and meals to help clients attend biometrics collection, selection interviews, and immigration medical examinations; appear at a government office for exit permit processing; and reach the point of departure
- conducting pre-embarkation health checks
- delivering Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA)
Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) provides clients with accurate information and helps them develop realistic expectations about their journey to and life in Canada.
- Locations:
- Permanent COA training sites (many with regional coverage): Bangladesh, El Salvador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, Sudan and Uganda
- COA management sites: Canada, Switzerland and the Philippines
- Resources:
- COA Participant Workbook, available in 17 languages
- COA “O-Canada” mobile application, available in 8 languages
- O-Canada videos, available in 15 languages
- O-Canada conversation audiobooks, available in English and French
- Modes of delivery:
- virtual (2- to 3-hour sessions)
- by phone (1- to 2-hour sessions)
- in person (sessions of 1 half-day to 5 days)
- This is the preferred mode of delivery, where operationally feasible.
- Support services provided (where possible) are as follows: transportation, accommodation, child care, interpretation and translation, and meals.
- For more information
- consult Canadian Orientation Abroad
- email coaoce@iom.int
Movement assistance and Loans for transportation to Canada
IRCC has a memorandum of understanding with the IOM under the Immigration Loans Program (ILP) to provide movement assistance for clients to travel to Canada, including
- providing access to the ILP Loan for transportation to Canada
- supporting applications for exit permits and, in some cases, an application for the waiving of exit fees (where operationally feasible)
Note: Clients are responsible for any associated fees.
- assembling travel documents, including documents for transit countries and for entry into Canada
- arranging air travel from outside Canada to the airport closest to their final destination in Canada, ensuring the most direct route is taken (as far as operationally feasible), using a Canadian carrier or reliable non-Canadian carrier that has signed an agreement to provide reduced migrant fares
- arranging an operational escort for travel when needed (when pre-approved by IRCC)
- providing support in the countries of departure and transit (if applicable), including additional assistance during travel when unforeseen circumstances are encountered
Clients are responsible for their travel costs to Canada and have access to an ILP Loan for transportation to Canada for this purpose. IOM charges a per-person fee for this movement assistance, and these costs are added to the client’s loan.
For more information
Contacting the International Organization for Migration
IRCC migration offices are the main points of contact for local IOM offices in coordinating standard activities related to the daily delivery of the resettlement program. New refugee coordinators and migration officers at IRCC migration offices should contact the local IOM office and attend a local COA training session soon after their arrival. Migration offices should also contact local IOM offices to
- request projections of caseloads and activities
- learn about upcoming selection missions
- get help resolving challenges
- report incidents
The Resettlement, Family and Humanitarian (RFH) branch’s GAR Program Coordination and Guidance (GAR team) is the IOM Ottawa point of contact for IRCC migration offices. Migration offices should contact the GAR team for IOM coordination support and for any questions or concerns about
- setting up program support in a new location
- planning for the annual allocation of funds and resources to regional offices
- planning for large-scale refugee movements and possible use of charter flights
- persistent or urgent issues