Changes to settlement service eligibility for economic immigrants

Ottawa, March 10, 2026—Canada is taking back control to return immigration to sustainable levels, while ensuring it continues to support the economy. Settlement services help newcomers find jobs, contribute to their communities and fill critical gaps in Canada’s labour market. As outlined in Budget 2025, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada is introducing limits to settlement service eligibility for economic immigrants. Limiting how long economic immigrants can access these services encourages earlier use and keeps the services available for newcomers who need them most.

Currently, economic immigrants can access federally funded settlement services at any time after obtaining permanent residence and before obtaining Canadian citizenship. In support of this Budget 2025 commitment, the length of time they are able to access these services, as permanent residents, will change gradually to:

• up to 6 years after obtaining permanent residence, as of April 1, 2026
• up to 5 years after obtaining permanent residence, as of April 1, 2027

These changes apply to current and new economic class permanent residents, including principal applicants and their accompanying spouses and dependents. Settlement services help eligible newcomers build successful lives in Canada by supporting their economic, social, and cultural integration into communities across the country. The Settlement program continues to support newcomers in overcoming barriers to integrating into Canadian society.

Find out more about settlement service eligibility.