Asylum seekers

You are entitled to certain services from the Gouvernement du Québec as soon as you have submitted an asylum application with the Government of Canada and you live in Québec.

While waiting for the Government of Canada's decision concerning your asylum application, you and your family members could be entitled to services from the Gouvernement du Québec, such as:

• temporary shelter
• assistance in finding permanent housing
• free information sessions on life in Québec
• last resort financial assistance
• preschool education and elementary and secondary school education
• low-cost childcare services and community drop-in childcare activities
• universal employment services
• French courses (without financial assistance)
• legal assistance, particularly in preparing your application or other matters
• social services under the Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Asylum Seekers (PRAIDA) of Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux (CIUSSS) West-Central Montréal, which has two components:
  • a psychosocial component: social work services
  • a health component: preventive and front-line healthcare
• health services through the Federal Interim Health Program.

Guide to Services Offered

For more information on the services offered to you and how you can access them, see the Guide for asylum seekers in Québec wishing to obtain Québec government services (PDF 196 Kb).

Carnets de route

To help you get started, consult the Carnets de route website, which provides all the information you need to help refugees and asylum seekers settle in. To access the tool for asylum seekers, select “No” to the question “Did you arrive in Canada with permanent residency?”

The Carnets de route project was developed in partnership with the MIFI.

Checklist for finding accommodation

The checklist for finding permanent housing (PDF 65 Kb) can also help you settle in Quebec.

When you arrive in Québec, you can apply for last-resort financial assistance, if you are in a precarious financial situation. The purpose of this assistance is to provide you with money for the time it takes to integrate into the job market and participate actively in society.

For more information on last-resort financial assistance, visit the page Social Assistance Program and Social Solidarity Program.

You can apply online for last-resort financial assistance. It's quick, easy and secure to complete an online form to:

• submit your application;
• send the necessary documents to analyze your application.

Apply online

If you wish to obtain a paper version of the application form, call the Customer Contact Centre at 1-877-767-8773 (toll free).

Languages available

• French
• English

When you submit your application, you must provide:

• the document you received from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
• depending on your situation, a birth certificate or equivalent document may be required.

The Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Asylum Seekers (PRAIDA) allows you to obtain social services and healthcare.

• Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• 514-484-7878, extension 64500 (Reception desk)
• PRAIDA website

PRAIDA offers online information sessions for asylum seekers. To view the session schedule and register, visit the Information sessions for asylum seekers page from CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

You can attend a free information session to: 

• know the services offered to you
• receive practical advice
• better understand life in Québec

The sessions are given:

• in French
• in English
• in Spanish

For more information, contact one of the following organizations:

Community organizations have been designated to assist you in finding housing as quickly as possible. You can contact them in complete confidence.

For more information, consult the directory of partner organizations, or contact Centre de contacts clientèle du ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.