Are you an immigrant or refugee looking for information on housing, schools for your kids, and finding a doctor?  Do you have questions about income tax and the Canadian legal system? Or do you just want someone to talk to who understands what it feels like to be an immigrant. ICA's settlement Workers are here to help you!

The ICA Settlement Program provides services to immigrants, refugees, and refugee claimants residing in Greater Victoria.

Settlement workers provide services in over 25 languages. We can also arrange interpretation and translation services in many other languages.

What do Settlement Workers Do?

Settlement workers support individuals and families as they make the adjustment to life in Canada.  We can help explain and access:

• Dealing with Isolation and Culture Shock
• Family Issues
• Health & Health Care Information
• Housing
• Education, Upgrading, and Training
• Canadian Law
• Income Tax
• Child Care and Family Concerns
• Social Benefits
• Employment Information
• Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugee Protection
• Community Skills and Resources
• Human Rights
• Many ICA Programs

We can help with filling forms, advocacy (when needed), understanding systems, explaining benefits, access services, and provide family and individual support.

Visit our Immigrant Welcome Centre

Settlement Services is part of ICA's Immigrant Welcome Centre. To access Settlement Services, go to the main reception desk at ICA (930 Balmoral Road, Victoria) to be registered as a client.

What You Should Bring:

• Permanent Resident Card, Passport/Visa, Citizenship Card, etc.)

What to Expect:

When you come to see us, please proceed through the door and down the stairs where you will see the receptionist. You can tell them that this is your first time here.

STEP 1 - INTAKE

Our Intake Workers will be happy to help you. It is a drop-in process so we ask for your patience because you may have to wait for a short period of time. You will meet with an Intake Worker only once for about 20 minutes. During this meeting, the Intake Worker will:

• Ask you about your immigration status and contact information. Please have your immigration information ready (e.g.: Permanent Resident Card, Passport/Visa, Citizenship Card).  Also, other personal information will be recorded in our secured database system (address, phone number).

• Provide you with information about ICA’s services that you may be interested in.

• Explain the role of a Settlement Worker and how they will be able to help you.

• Make an appointment for you to meet with a Settlement Worker. Sometimes, it may be possible to meet with the Settlement Worker right away.

Once you have an appointment or have met with your Settlement Worker, if you have any more questions, you can contact the Settlement Worker directly.

STEP 2 – SETTLEMENT WORKER

Our Settlement Workers speak the following languages: Arabic, Cantonese, Dinka, Dari, English, Filipino, French, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Kiembu, Kikamba, Kikuyu, Kiswahili, Korean, Mandarin, Nuer (Sudanese), Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Shilluk, Spanish, Ukrinian, Urdu, Vietnamese

Settlement Workers can help you access ICA services such as ELSA, Employment Services, specialized courses and activities for seniors, women, men, and youth.

Settlement workers are an excellent source of support, information, and referral.  We hope you come see us and learn how we can help you.

For more information please contact:
Settlement Services Intake Worker
(250) 388-4728 Ext.: 136

Helpful Links:

Welcome BC

CIC: Citizenship and Immigration Canada