Financial help for refugees

The Canadian government has several programs to help refugees settle in their new home.

Resettlement Assistance Program

The Government of Canada gives resettlement help to Convention Refugees Abroad.

In some cases, they offer this help to members of the Country of Asylum Class who have been:

• identified as refugees with special needs and
• admitted to Canada as government-assisted refugees.

If you claimed refugee protection from inside Canada, you are not eligible for this program.

These funds are used to help pay for:

• meeting you at the airport or port of entry
• a temporary place to live
• help finding a permanent place to live
• basic household items and
• general help with life in Canada.

You can also use this money for income support for up to one year, or until you can support yourself, whichever comes first.

Resettlement Assistance Program rates by provinces are available on the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program’s website.

Immigration Loans Program

The Immigration Loans Program provides financial help to refugees selected for resettlement.

The loans are used to cover the costs of:

• transportation to Canada, and
• additional settlement costs, if needed, once you are in Canada.

Repaying your immigration loan

After you’ve been in Canada for 12 months, we expect you to start repaying your loan each month. We’ll calculate the amount you must repay each month based on the total amount you borrowed. We’ll send you a statement of account to tell you how much you must pay.

How to make payments on your loan

You can pay by

At any time, if you cannot repay your loan, you can ask us to review your repayment plan.

Contact us

If you have questions, need to change your address with us, or want to ask us to review your repayment plan, contact us by telephone or by email.

Telephone
Toll-free number: 1-800-667-7301
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Please have your loan documents available when you call.

Email
collection@cic.gc.ca