Changes to Client Eligibility for IRCC-funded Services

Please be aware that Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have released information about upcoming changes to eligibility for IRCC-funded settlement services. The details below are directly from IRCC.

Information is available in English, Farsi, Chinese, Ukrainian, Spanish, Korean, and Tagalog.

What is changing?

On April 1, 2026, the length of time that economic class immigrants can access settlement services will change. Economic class immigrants will be eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services for six years starting from the date they become a permanent resident (or until they become a Canadian citizen, if this happens first). This change applies to current and future permanent residents.

If you are an economic class immigrant and you became a permanent resident on or before April 1, 2020, your eligibility for Settlement Program services will end on April 1, 2026.

Where can I find the date I became a permanent resident?

You can find this date on your Confirmation of Permanent Residence document in the Personal Details section, “Became P.R. on”

Who is impacted?

This change applies to all economic class permanent residents, including the principal applicant and their accompanying spouses/partners and dependents (who came to Canada as part of the same family unit and are under the same permanent residence application).

Economic class immigrants include people who arrived through Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), work-related programs (such as the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, caregiver programs, investor or business programs, regional employment programs, etc.) or other similar programs or pilots.

The changes will not apply to family class immigrants (sponsored family members), refugees, or other clients of the Settlement Program.

What happens next?

Settlement service provider organizations can let you know if your eligibility has ended and provide you with further information and support. Those affected may have already received an email from IRCC regarding this update.