Information and services for Québec government-assisted refugees

You are a Québec government-assisted refugee if:

• The Government of Canada granted you refugee or protected person status  while you were abroad; and
• You have been selected by the Gouvernement du Québec.

To prepare before your departure and know what awaits you once you are in Québec, you can go to the page Settle and integrate in Québec. 
 

You will find useful information on this page, particularly on:

• climate;
• transportation;
• education;
• learning French;
• employment;
• opening a bank account.

Documents to bring with you

If you have them in your possession, bring them with you: 

• your diplomas;
• your certificates of studies;
• your transcripts of grades;
• the attestations of employment describing the tasks and responsibilities you assumed.

You can thus apply them in Québec. 

If you have vaccination booklets for yourself and your children, bring them with you. You may present them to your physician or at a public health clinic.

Upon your arrival in Québec, you will be assisted by the airport greeting service of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration. They will:

• support you as soon as you deplane and recover your baggage with you;
• provide a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec Selection Certificate) for you and for your family members accompanying you;
• provide you with the documents necessary for your settlement;
• escort you to the transportation service that will drive you to your city of destination.
   

If you arrive between October 15 and April 15 and you do not have warm enough clothing for the season, you will be supplied with clothing you may keep.

A partner host organization of the Gouvernement du Québec will receive you on your arrival in your city of destination.

Refugees who do not speak French or English will receive language and cultural assistance and interpretation service to facilitate their integration and access to public services.

Upon your arrival

Upon your arrival, you will be driven to your city of destination, or you will stay for a few days in community housing of a hotel.

During this period, the organization will inform you about the steps to take during the first few days and the financial and material assistance you may receive:

• furniture;
• clothing;
• household items;
• basic necessities.

During the first week after your arrival

The organization will offer you support for the following steps:

• opening an account with a financial institution;
• provision of a settlement package, allowing you to make purchases for basic items:
  • first groceries;
  • clothing;
  • hygiene items;
  • etc.
• applying for last resort financial assistance;
• taking photos and steps to obtain a Québec health insurance card;
• applying for your social insurance number;
• applying for the permanent resident card;
• enrolling your children in school;
• looking for permanent housing;
• providing convenience or first aid items, as needed;
• essential trips related to the first settlement steps.

During setup in permanent housing

When you move into permanent housing, the organization:

• helps you with receiving and assembling furniture and household appliances, as needed;
• installs the accessories and puts away the items and household products in the appropriate places;
• presents the features of the dwelling, such as:
  • safety tips;
  • heating;
  • apartment intercom;
  • keys;
  • operation of household appliances.
• identifies the resources near the dwelling.

During the first 12 months after your arrival

The host organization will do regular follow-up to ensure the success of your steps.

It will provide you with the necessary encouragement and support to pursue them, along with, for example:

• support for financial management;
• home follow-up visits;
• mediation in case of conflict.

Upon your arrival, the Gouvernement du Québec will grant you minimum financial assistance to enable you to pay for: 

• your rent;
• your food;
• your other essential needs.

This assistance will be paid to you every month. The host organizations will give you advice to manage your budget and make the most of the resources available in your neighbourhood.

Here are the other steps you can take with the support of your host organization once you obtain your Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ - Québec Selection Certificate):

• Improve your French by taking French courses offered by the Gouvernement du Québec;
• Register for the Objectif Intégration services, if the you speak French or after learning it;
• Take steps to obtain a job by using the services offered by the Centre local d’emploi (CLE)  in your territory. You must enter the postal code and check off Services aux individus;
• Start the steps to obtain recognition of your competencies acquired abroad.