Asylum seekers

You are entitled to certain services from the Gouvernement du Québec upon your arrival if you have submitted an asylum application with the Government of Canada which has been determined to be eligible and you live in Québec.

While waiting for the Government of Canada's decision concerning your asylum application, you are 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
• non-subsidized childcare services and community drop-in childcare activities
• universal employment services
• French courses (without financial assistance)
• legal aid
• 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

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).

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:

• your passport
• the document you received from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

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

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: 

La Maisonnée (Montréal)
514 271-3533

Carrefour Le Moutier  (Longueuil)
450 679-7111

Centre multiethnique de Québec  (Québec)
418-687-9771

Maison de la famille des Maskoutains  (Saint-Hyacinthe)
450 771-4010

Service d’aide aux Néo-Canadiens  (Sherbrooke)
819 566-5373

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

Organizations located in Montréal

Accueil aux immigrants de l’Est de Montréal
514 723-4939

Accueil liaison pour arrivants
514 255-3900

Accueil pour immigrants et réfugiés du Sud-ouest de Montréal — Centre Prisme
514 364-0939

Carrefour d’aide aux nouveaux arrivants
514 382-0735

Centre des femmes de Montréal
514 842-4780

Centre social d’aide aux immigrants
514 932-2953

La Maisonnée
514 271-3533

La Maison d’Haïti
514 326-3022

Organisme pour l’Intégration, la Citoyenneté et l’Inclusion
514 955-5454

Service d’interprète d’aide et de référence aux immigrants
514 738-4763

Organizations located outside of Montréal

Carrefour d’intercultures de Laval
450 686-0554

Carrefour Le Moutier  (Longueuil)
450 679-7111

Centre multiethnique de Québec  (Québec)
418 687-9771

Maison de la famille des Maskoutains  (Saint-Hyacinthe)
450 771-4010

Service d’aide aux Néo-Canadiens  (Sherbrooke)
819 566-5373

To obtain the names of other organizations that can assist you outside of Montréal, contact Centre de contacts clientèle du ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration .

For more information on looking for permanent housing, please consult this Checklist (PDF 65 Kb).