Settlement Program Eligibility Changes (Effective April 1, 2026)

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducing a six-year eligibility window for economic class immigrants: 

• • Economic class permanent residents (PRs) will be eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services for up to 6 years from the date they become PRs, or until they become Canadian citizens (whichever comes first). 
  • This applies to current and future clients. 
  • Clients who became PRs on or before April 1, 2020, are not eligible as of April 1, 2026. 

Who is impacted: 

All economic class immigrants, including principal applicants and their dependents  

• • Express Entry 
  • Provincial Nominee Program 
  • Work-related programs such as  
    • Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot 
    • Caregiver programs 
    • Investor or business programs 
    • Regional employment programs, etc. 
    • Or other similar programs or pilots 

Who is not impacted: 

The changes do not apply to:  

• • Family class immigrants (sponsored family members) 
  • Convention refugees 
  • Sponsored refugees 
  • Protected persons 

2. Labour Skills and Immigration–Immigration Population Growth (LSI–IPG) Funded Services’ eligibility will become more targeted, with a focus on provincial immigration programs. 

Priority groups: 

• • Nova Scotia Nominees (pre-PR) and their dependents 
  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) applicants and their families (pre-PR) 

Limited eligibility will apply to:  

• • • CUAET Visa Holders 
    • Refugee claimants from the time they claim refugee status until the day their refugee claim hearing is concluded.  

Who is impacted: 

Not eligible under LSI–IPG: 

• • • PR applicants with work permits  
    • International graduates and dependents 

Eligible for some LSI-IPG services: 

• • • PRs (including nominees and resettled refugees) 
    • Protected persons and others previously eligible