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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 This hyperlink will open in a new window. which has been determined to be eligible and you live in Québec.

General notice

The federal government is responsible for the asylum application process.  Go to the page Irregular border crossings and asylum in Canada This hyperlink will open in a new window. for all details.

Services available during the review of your application

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).

Last-resort financial assistance

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. This hyperlink will open in a new window.

Online application for assistance

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 This hyperlink will open in a new window.

Application for assistance using a paper form

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

Documents to provide with your application

When you submit your application, you must provide:

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

Social services under the Regional Program for the Settlement and Integration of Asylum Seekers (PRAIDA).

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

Contact PRAIDA

  • Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • 514-484-7878, extension 64500 (Reception desk)
  • PRAIDA website This hyperlink will open in a new window.

Information services

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 This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Montréal)
514 271-3533

Carrefour Le Moutier This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Longueuil)
450 679-7111

Centre multiethnique de Québec This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Québec)
418-687-9771

Maison de la famille des Maskoutains This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Saint-Hyacinthe)
450 771-4010

Service d’aide aux Néo-Canadiens This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Sherbrooke)
819 566-5373

Housing assistance

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 This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 723-4939

Accueil liaison pour arrivants This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 255-3900

Accueil pour immigrants et réfugiés du Sud-ouest de Montréal — Centre Prisme This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 364-0939

Carrefour d’aide aux nouveaux arrivants This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 382-0735

Centre des femmes de Montréal This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 842-4780

Centre social d’aide aux immigrants This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 932-2953

La Maisonnée This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 271-3533

La Maison d’Haïti This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 326-3022

Organisme pour l’Intégration, la Citoyenneté et l’Inclusion This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 955-5454

Service d’interprète d’aide et de référence aux immigrants This hyperlink will open in a new window.
514 738-4763

Organizations located outside of Montréal

Carrefour d’intercultures de Laval This hyperlink will open in a new window.
450 686-0554

Carrefour Le Moutier This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Longueuil)
450 679-7111

Centre multiethnique de Québec This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Québec)
418 687-9771

Maison de la famille des Maskoutains This hyperlink will open in a new window. (Saint-Hyacinthe)
450 771-4010

Service d’aide aux Néo-Canadiens This hyperlink will open in a new window. (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 This hyperlink will open in a new window..

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

Contact the ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration

Last update: February 23, 2023

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