Searching for Immigration / Sponsorship

COVID-19: Most IRCC in-person offices and temporary offices continue to be closed until further notice. Only clients with scheduled appointments can visit an office. If you need to change your appointment, contact the office that sent you the invitation. To contact an office please use the web form service

Information, application forms and assistance on citizenship and immigration programs, including Permanent Resident Card and Interim Federal Health Program, immigration interviews, and citizenship.

Refugee claims can be made at this office during designated hours. Application form available from website must be completed.

Permanent Resident (PR) Card are mailed, in some cases may be asked to pick up a card at a local office.

To report suspected citizenship fraud, call or email Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca.

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Service delivery is frequently changing as a result of COVID-19, please visit website for the most up-to-date information

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The program offers assistance in accessing a wide range of settlement services including:

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment and programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• needs assessments along with information and referral to community services
• short term adjustment counselling
• assistance with education, health care, housing
• assistance with citizenship applications and citizenship test preparation
• job search and employment counselling as well as assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement
• interpretation and translation
• cultural competency training available for local agencies to ensure they have the tools and training to work with a variety of cultures

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Service delivery is frequently changing as a result of COVID-19, please visit website for the most up-to-date information

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The program offers assistance in accessing a wide range of settlement services including:

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment and programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• needs assessments along with information and referral to community services
• short term adjustment counselling
• assistance with education, health care, housing
• assistance with citizenship applications and citizenship test preparation
• job search and employment counselling as well as assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement
• interpretation and translation
• cultural competency training available for local agencies to ensure they have the tools and training to work with a variety of cultures

Offers legal services, education, and system navigation to the LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit community in Hamilton. This is a francophone project that has an accompanying English component.
Services include:

• Training for community groups, service providers, and legal workers
• Public legal education that is culturally sensitive and delivered with accessibility in mind
• Legal support and services for disadvantaged queer clients

COVID19 -- Contact for details on in-person service changes and enhanced safety measures; call Muhaari A. Director of Programs & Services at 416-831-9729 or email a.muhaari@black-cap.com for support and information.


HIV/AIDS education, prevention and support, including information on HIV and STI (sexually transmitted infections) risk, sexual health and healthy relationships, and harm reduction

• community-based prevention programs for youth, women, and gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, trans and other men who have sex with men (MSM)
• community workshops, forums, outreach, training for professionals and organizations, and culturally specific materials
• volunteer opportunities

Support Programs
Counselling and support for Black people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including referrals and follow-up, as well as child care and emergency financial assistance for eligible clients

• practical assistance
• home and hospital visits
• treatment, support groups
• housing and employment support
• youth program

Settlement Program
Counselling and support, needs assessment, outreach and prevention for Black, African and Caribbean immigrants and refugees, including LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) individuals

• orientation
• information and referrals to community services
• assistance in accessing services
• assistance in finding a doctor and living with treatment
• assistance with immigration system
• form and documentation completion
• housing and employment help
• interpretation and translation
• social opportunities and networking

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)

Visit the Immigration and Citizenship page on Coronavirus to find out how it may affect your immigration situation.

Processes refugee claimants, clients finalized for permanent residence, permanent residence cards, and citizenship tests, interviews and ceremonies. In-person help by appointment only. Once application has been received, IRCC will contact you to schedule an appointment if deemed necessary by the processing office.

COVID19 -- call or visit website for current information irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/stay-connected/Pages/covid-19-irb-operations.aspx



Refugee Protection Division: panel determines refugee claims, for more detailed information, click irb.gc.ca/en/applying-refugee-protection/Pages/index.aspx

• appeals of negative decisions may be heard at Refugee Appeal Board or other bodies, for more information, click irb.gc.ca/en/filing-refugee-appeal/Pages/index.aspx

Immigration Appeal Division: hears appeals on immigration-related matters including sponsorships, removal orders, and residency obligations, for more information click irb.gc.ca/en/making-immigration-appeal/Pages/index.aspx

Detention Reviews and Admissibility Hearings: detention reviews and admissibility hearings conducted for persons believed to be inadmissible or removable from Canada; located at 385 Rexdale Blvd, 1-833-222-0408; for more information, click irb.gc.ca/en/detention-hearings/Pages/index.aspx

Settlement Services

• orientation to life in Ontario; information on immigration issues
• accessing government resources including social assistance, income security, child tax benefits
• assistance with search for housing and social housing
• emotional support

Helping Our Newcomers Prepare for Employment/Entrepreneurial Success (HOPES) Program: resettlement stress support, education, skills and experience support

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada): provides basic English skills in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto --see separate entry

Language Instruction Giving Hope to Trauma Survivors (LIGHTS) Program: alternative language program that provides functional English as a second or additional language (ESL/EAL) instruction to vulnerable newcomers who experience emotional, cognitive, or academic barriers to learning in traditional English classes

COVID19 -- all appointments by phone or video chat, no in-person services; call for appointment

Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Services

• assistance with applications for citizenship, passports and protected person travel documents
• help with spouse, common-law partner and child sponsorship applications
• refugee system navigation and related procedures such as work/study permits, permanent resident applications as protected person/Convention refugee
• assistance with applications to become permanent resident based on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds
• help with permanent resident card and other Canadian identification forms
• assistance with study permit renewal and work permit applications for international students; information about pathway to become permanent residents
• help for migrant workers such as work permit assistance for vulnerable people

Online English classes and conversation circles

Community Resources

• assessment, information and referral to food programs, clothing and furniture banks, employment centres, schools and education resources, health centres
• assistance with applications for government programs such as Ontario Works, Employment Insurance, Legal Aid, transitional and subsidized housing

Spiritual Care

• provided through chaplain - referral and resources for religious communities, one-on-one spiritual counselling, and for ceremonies such as weddings, funerals and blessings

Support to refugee claimants in Canada and abroad

• legal, crisis intervention and emotional support
• weekly support group
• Network of Iranian Queer HIV/AIDS Program, info@niqha.net -- education and support to people with HIV/AIDS and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections)
• SHER Fund, Safe House and Emergency Relief for LGBT refugees residing in Turkey to pay living expenses
• Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Iran Program -- support to parents and families of LGBT individuals
• information and referral
• newsletter, magazine

Free telephone hotline providing legal assistance to Ukrainians arriving in Canada affected by the war in Ukraine, with focus on immigration related issues, and also provides assistance and referrals for other legal issues related to resettlement, such as housing, employment

• assistance identifying nature of legal issue, advice and assistance on steps to take
• help drafting basic legal document for use in Canadian justice system
• where appropriate, referrals to pro bono and other lawyers for ongoing services
• referrals to support services

COVID19 Contact for information on in-person, phone, email and virtual services

Medical, mental health, settlement and social support services including integrated anti-human trafficking support; research and education

Mental Health Counselling and Support
Confidential assessment, counselling, crisis intervention and support services

• individual, family and group counselling, and mutual support groups
• service coordination and referral to treatment

Settlement Services
Including needs assessment, information and referral, orientation, supportive counselling, interpretation and translation services, employment counselling and computer training, and peer support groups

• referrals to outside resources, including housing, social services, legal and medical help, skills training, cultural groups, and recreational programs
• assistance with documation and completing applications

Children, Youth, and Parent Programs
Specialized settlement services for children and their families to deal with trauma and restore family functioning

• homework club, individual tutoring, education counselling, leadership development, and summer recreation programs
• workshops such as job interview skills, employment training, driver education, health and sexual health, education options
• parent supports such as counselling, school and child welfare systems navigation, assistance accessing child care and completing subsidies applications
• assistance accessing free or affordable community programs

Language and Skills Training
Includes English as a Second Language (ESL), computer classes, citizenship preparation classes

• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, see separate listing

Public Education Program
Includes community consultation and public information, and international projects

• National Trauma Informed Care Program

COVID-19 -- operating by phone only, Toronto 416-977-8111, Toll-free 1-855-854-8111

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Represents refugee claimants at hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board, and on applications to the Federal Court

• claimants must obtain Legal Aid certificate
• lawyer and paralegal assigned to each case

Also represents immigration detainees at Toronto West Detention Centre, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Immigration Holding Centre, Vanier Centre for Women (Milton), Maplehurst Correctional Complex (Milton) and Central East Correctional Centre (Lindsay) at detention reviews on a duty counsel basis, detainees must be financially eligible for legal aid but need not obtain a certificate

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Service delivery is frequently changing as a result of COVID-19, please visit website for the most up-to-date information

-----------------------------------------

The program offers assistance in accessing a wide range of settlement services including:

• orientation programs, language and skills training to help facilitate employment and programs to welcome newcomers to the community
• needs assessments along with information and referral to community services
• short term adjustment counselling
• assistance with education, health care, housing
• assistance with citizenship applications and citizenship test preparation
• job search and employment counselling as well as assistance to establish social and professional networks to promote community engagement
• interpretation and translation
• cultural competency training available for local agencies to ensure they have the tools and training to work with a variety of cultures

COVID-19 -- Contact organization for information

Afghan Women's Support Program -- provides short-term counselling to clients who encounter difficulties in adjusting to life in Canada and assistance in overcoming these challenges

Community Services

• needs assessment and information and referral to community and social services
• support with finding housing, child care, registering children in school and health care
• help filling out government forms including housing and immigration sponsorship forms

Translation and Interpretation Services

• professionally trained interpreters with expertise in health, community and social services
• translation and revision
• immediate over the phone interpretation

Seniors Program

• counselling and referral
• seniors helping seniors

Volunteer and TV Broadcasting Program Assistance-- television broadcasts Friday nights and Saturdays

Youth Empowerment Program

• monthly discussion group on issues such as employment, school problems
• community collaboration with police and others
• information about school choices, postsecondary education, employment
• mentorship program

Community legal clinic

• provides summary legal advice in income maintenance (CPP, OAS, EI, GAINS) workers rights, tenant rights, immigration, social assistance (OW, ODSP), tenant issues, general administration (notary, commissioner for taking oaths)
• may provide representation
• summary advice/referral in domestic violence cases
• community organizing
• community education
• law reform
• referrals
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Services offered in person, by phone, online (intake) and email

Social, education and recreation programs for all ages ; information and referral

Health

• first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, nutrition programs
• community based health promotion and disease prevention initiative
• screening for specific health conditions
• one on one support addressing diabetes
• certain cancers and cardiovascular disease among newcomers

Employment Services -- career counselling, job club, one on one support

• advocacy
• child minding
• citizenship test preparation
• conflict resolution
• human service worker
• public speaking
• computer access and training
• food handling
• English language basics

Seniors Services

• escort to medical appointments, friendly visiting, telephone reassurance
• health education
• home support
  • food preparation
  • grocery shopping
  • light housework and repairs
  • referral services
  • seniors club

Recreation -- sports and physical activities including swimming and other fitness

COVID19 -- How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services here:
www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html



Information, application forms and assistance on citizenship and immigration programs, including Permanent Resident Card

Administers Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) -- ensures health services for refugees, protected persons and refugee claimants not yet covered by provincial health care

• information for clients, information for health care providers can be found here: www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre

Medical service providers that already accept IFHP: ifhp-pfsi.medavie.bluecross.ca/en/search-ifhp-providers

Report suspected citizenship fraud -- call the Client Support Centre and follow the options, or email IRCC.CitizenshipFraudTips-Fraudedecitoyennete.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

Report suspicious immigration activity -- call the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060

Refugee claims -- forms available on website and may be submitted online

For any application, appointments may be offered at

• 325 Milner Ave, Suite 200, Scarborough,
• 3085 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, or at
• 5343 Dundas St W, Ste 105, Etobicoke

COVID19 -- Follows all current public health restrictions


Provides support and expertise to groups involved in refugee sponsorship and resettlement

• refugee sponsorship training, toolkit and online resource centre
• public awareness of refugee needs

Represents the Anglican Diocese of Toronto and supports the Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH)

Temporary accommodation, average stay 4 months

• capacity 20
• information and referral (legal aid, immigration, social assistance)
• settlement services, reception
• Christian environment

Transitional housing for residents ready to move into the community

• capacity 20
• shared kitchen and bathrooms
• various locations in North York and East York

Non-residents immigration consultation and referral

Settlement services for newcomers

• information, referral and counselling - social assistance, immigration including refugee claims
• orientation, form filling
• translation and interpretation
• also every Thursday offers services at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Immigration Holding Centre

COVID19 Contact for information on in-person, phone, email and virtual services

Medical, mental health, settlement and social support services, including integrated anti-human trafficking support; research and education

Mental Health Counselling and Support
Confidential assessment, counselling, crisis intervention and support services

• individual, family and group counselling, and mutual support groups
• service coordination and referral to treatment

Settlement Services
Including needs assessment, information and referral, orientation, supportive counselling, interpretation and translation services, employment counselling and computer training, and peer support groups

• referrals to outside resources, including housing, social services, legal and medical help, skills training, cultural groups, and recreational programs
• assistance with documation and completing applications

Children, Youth, and Parent Programs
Specialized settlement services for children and their families to deal with trauma and restore family functioning

• homework club, individual tutoring, education counselling, leadership development, and summer recreation programs
• workshops such as job interview skills, employment training, driver education, health and sexual health, education options
• parent supports such as counselling, school and child welfare systems navigation, assistance accessing child care and completing subsidies applications
• assistance accessing free or affordable community programs

Language and Skills Training
Includes English as a Second Language (ESL), computer classes, citizenship preparation classes

• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto, see separate listing

Public Education Program
Includes community consultation and public information, and international projects

Office open to the public Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm; for information call, 905-279-3679

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Settlement Services for Immigrants and Refugees

• needs assessment, information and referral, advocacy, orientation, translation and interpretation, escort, assistance in finding housing
• sponsorship of refugees
• health workshops, mental health -- support groups, counselling
• heritage language classes
• skills upgrading, adult literacy classes
• seniors program including support groups and health education
• youth program offering services in settlement, counselling, skills development and social events
• Homework Club with individual assistance and group work
• citizenship test preparation classes

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

English as a Second Language / LINC -- participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by Achēv -- see separate entry

• day or evening classes

Childminding available for clients attending sessions

COVID19 -- Call ahead or visit website for updates


Settlement services including orientation, information and referral, counselling and support

Newcomer Settlement Services (NSP)

• employment support services
• one-to-one settlement counselling and referrals
• newcomer mental health program -- supportive counselling, referrals, group sessions based on coping strategies, skill building and self help
• form filling including applications for asylum
• orientation sessions
• culturally sensitive services for the Roma community
• programs focused on Syrian or Arabic-speaking refugees include settlement assistance, mentorship, help with job search

Library Settlement Partnership (LSP) and Settlement Workers in Community Spaces (SWCS)

• newcomer outreach at libraries and other community spacies
• workshops, one-to-one settlement services, community referrals

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)

• outreach program based in elementary and secondary schools from mid-August to end of June, and social service agencies from July to mid-August
• individualized action plan, settlement information and referral, group activities

Mentorship Programs

• career mentorship
• citizenship education circles
• Settlement Online Connects - English conversation circles and Computer Basics Training for Newcomers to Canada
• Canada Connect -- newcomers paired with Canadian mentor for English conversation, navigating Canadian culture and expanding network
• Newcomers Explore and Appreciate Toronto (NEAT) -- newcomers gain Canadian volunteer experience in event planning, social media marketing and project management; participate in guided walks/outdoor activities including Wintegration - special winter outdoor activities
• Newcomers Speak Up for Success -- 10 week public speaking program for newcomers; held online during COVID
• Interview Squad -- program led by human resource professionals to prepare newcomers for job search, especially interviews
• Artegration -- cultural experiences and/or volunteering for newcomers available through community partners such as Luminato Festival, Soulpepper Theatre, Aga Khan Museum, Arts in the Park, Koeffler Centre for the Arts

Cybersecurity Training - IT Security Bridge Training

• for internationally trained professionals with IT backgrounds to prepare for jobs in cybersecurity - training for a Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate
• training, mentoring, networking, and help with resumes and interview preparation

Labour Market Assistance Program

• for newcomers and internationally trained professionals
• personalized job search plan, labour market information, resume preparation, networking, interview preparation

Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT) -- provides workplace communication training in the field of Hospitality

Bike Host

• matches volunteer mentors with newcomers to encourage cycling
• Fun and safe Bike to School

Active and Connected Seniors (ACS)

• programming for persons 55 years or older from low income, newcomer or racialized communities
• recreational activities and wellness workshops, settlement, information & referral, English classes
• Global Roots Garden - intergenerational program, see separate listing

COVID19 -- How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration and refugees:
www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19.html

Information, application forms and assistance on citizenship and immigration programs, including Permanent Resident Card

Administers Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) -- ensures health services for refugees, protected persons and refugee claimants not yet covered by provincial health care

• information for clients, information for health care providers can be found here: www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre

Medical service providers that already accept IFHP: ifhp-pfsi.medavie.bluecross.ca/en/search-ifhp-providers

Report suspected citizenship fraud -- call the Client Support Centre and follow the options, or email IRCC.CitizenshipFraudTips-Fraudedecitoyennete.IRCC@cic.gc.ca

Report suspicious immigration activity -- call the Canada Border Services Agency Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060

Refugee claims -- forms available on website and may be submitted online

For any application, appointments may be offered at

• 325 Milner Ave, Suite 200, Scarborough,
• 3085 Glen Erin Drive, Mississauga, or at
• 5343 Dundas St W, Ste 105, Etobicoke