Settlement services
Settlement agencies offer orientation, employment help, language programs and referrals, often at no cost to eligible newcomers. WelcomeBC is the provincial starting point for finding services near you.
Life in BC
Building Community in British Columbia
How people build a life — not just an address — after arriving in BC.
Start here
What this means in BC
The practical parts of moving finish in a few months. Belonging takes longer. British Columbia has an established network of settlement organizations, libraries, community and recreation centres, and cultural associations that exist specifically to shorten that gap.
The overview
How it generally works
Language learning
Government-funded and community language programs exist across BC. Eligibility depends on your status, so ask a settlement agency what you qualify for.
Libraries and community centres
Public libraries offer far more than books — programs, meeting space, internet and often newcomer support. Municipal recreation centres run affordable classes, sports and drop-in programs.
Finding your people
Cultural associations, faith communities, parent groups, volunteering and sports leagues are the most common routes to friendship here. Repetition matters more than novelty: showing up to the same thing weekly is what turns acquaintances into friends.
Vocabulary
Important terms
- Settlement agency
- An organization providing newcomer support services.
- Community centre
- A municipal facility with recreation and social programs.
- Drop-in program
- An activity you can join without registering for a full season.
- Volunteering
- Unpaid work that also builds local references and networks.
Sequence
Typical steps
A general order most people follow. Your situation may differ.
- 1Find the settlement agency serving your community.
- 2Get a library card in your first month.
- 3Visit your local community or recreation centre and take a schedule.
- 4Join one weekly activity and keep going for two months.
- 5Look for a cultural, faith or parent group that fits your household.
- 6Volunteer somewhere local if you have time and want references.
Budgeting
Common costs or considerations
- Many settlement services are free to eligible newcomers.
- Recreation programs and memberships, usually modest and often subsidized.
- Club or association dues.
- Transportation to activities.
We do not publish specific prices, rates or fees. Amounts depend on your situation and should be quoted by the provider or confirmed with the official source.
Learn from others
Common newcomer mistakes
- Waiting until everything else is settled to start meeting people.
- Choosing a home far from any community hub to save on rent.
- Trying many activities once instead of one activity repeatedly.
- Not asking a settlement agency what you are eligible for.
Be prepared
Questions to ask a professional
Bring these to any meeting. Good professionals welcome them.
“Which services am I eligible for given my status?”
“What programs run in this neighbourhood for my age group or family?”
“Are there subsidies for recreation fees?”
“Where do newcomers in this community usually connect first?”
Where this comes from
Sources and accuracy
Last updated: August 2026
Please confirm before relying on it
- — Eligibility for specific settlement or language programs — confirm with a settlement agency.
Rules, programs, amounts and costs change over time. Always confirm current details with the official source before making a decision.
This page is general education, not legal, tax, financial, mortgage or real-estate advice.
Keep going
Related SettleInBC resources
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