Moving to Canada is not one single process. The steps depend on why you are coming, what legal pathway applies to you, and whether you are applying from outside Canada or asking for protection from inside Canada. Canada’s official refugee and immigration system separates refugee resettlement abroad, asylum claims made in Canada, and other immigration streams such as work permits, permanent residence, study permits, and family sponsorship

As of April 1, 2026, most economic‑class permanent residents and their families only have a limited time to use federally funded settlement services – six years after becoming permanent residents, and five years starting in 2027. After that, many people will no longer qualify for these free supports, even if they still face settlement and integration challenges. CNAP helps newcomers, employers, and community partners understand this “settlement clock,” connect people to the r