Planning for Canada / Planifier pour le Canada

What Planning for Canada / Planifier pour le Canada does

Planning for Canada (Planifier pour le Canada) is a free, federally funded pre-arrival settlement service program established in 2007 and delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) under funding from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The program serves approved immigrants holding an official IRCC document who are currently outside Canada, targeting economic class, family class, and Atlantic Immigration Program candidates across 145+ countries of origin. Since inception, it has supported more than 75,000 immigrants, with India (24%), the Philippines (23%), Nigeria (11%), Cameroon (9%), and Algeria (6%) representing the top origin countries.

The program's service architecture consists of four core offerings: a 3.5-hour live virtual Immigrant Workshop, a 60-minute personalized One-on-One Planning Session that produces a customized Settlement Plan, Connections to In-Canada Advisors (linking participants to a national network of 8 provincial settlement partners and 7+ specialized employment partners), and a Self-Directed Resources Hub comprising e-learning modules, simulations, and a digital library. Supplementary services include free live webinars on specialized topics (home buying with RBC, AI in job search with ACCES Employment, healthcare careers) and free downloadable tools (Pre-Arrival Checklist, Settlement Readiness Self-Assessment, Quick Tips & Tricks). All services are delivered online via video conferencing and a web-based portal using third-party platforms (Microsoft Power Apps Portals for registration, Zoom for delivery, SharePoint for resources), with no proprietary technology stack.

The business model is entirely government-funded: Planning for Canada charges no fees to participants and derives 100% of its revenue from IRCC contribution agreements. The organization operates with a lean team of 8 employees based in Ottawa, Ontario. Go-to-market relies on IRCC document-based eligibility screening, government-referred channels, word-of-mouth referrals from past participants, partner referrals, and digital marketing via its bilingual EN/FR website, social media, and YouTube channel. Reported outcomes include 98% of clients feeling better prepared for settlement challenges and 94% gaining clearer understanding of job readiness steps.

Name

Planning for Canada / Planifier pour le Canada

Legal name

Planning for Canada

Website

https://planningforcanada.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Planning for Canada is a free, IRCC-funded pre-arrival settlement service program delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) that helps approved immigrants from 145+ countries prepare for living and working in Canada before arrival through workshops, planning sessions, and provincial partner referrals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pre-Arrival Immigration Settlement Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Pre-Departure Planning & Orientation Services (EDAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pre-Departure Orientation, Re-Entry & Intercultural Training for Study Abroad (EDAIAAAH), Travel Safety Training & Pre-Departure Orientation (Health/Safety) (EDAIAMAG), Residential Life Programming & Student Engagement Services (EDAEAFAC)

Keywords

• Pre-arrival settlement services
• Immigration preparation programs
• Settlement planning workshops
• Employment preparation services
• Immigrant education resources

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (IRCC): Planning for Canada is entirely funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The program receives federal government funding to deliver pre-arrival services to eligible immigrants. There is no revenue generation from participants - all services are provided free of charge to eligible immigrants approved for immigration to Canada under economic class, family class, or Atlantic Immigration Program pathways.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Planning for Canada is a free, IRCC-funded pre-arrival program delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) that helps approved immigrants prepare for living and working in Canada before arrival. It offers live virtual group workshops, one-on-one personalized planning sessions producing a customized Settlement Plan, referrals to in-Canada advisors and employment partners across all provinces, and a self-directed e-learning resource hub covering housing, healthcare, employment, education, finances, and cultural adaptation. Services are bilingual (English/French) and accessible online to eligible immigrants residing outside Canada who hold an official IRCC document.

Product overview

Planning for Canada is a free, IRCC-funded pre-arrival program delivered by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) that offers a unified suite of services to help approved immigrants prepare for settlement and employment before arriving in Canada. The program architecture consists of core guided services (Immigrant Workshop, One-on-One Planning Session, Connections to In-Canada Advisors, and Self-Directed Services/Resources Hub) complemented by supplementary live webinars and free downloadable resource tools (Pre-Arrival Checklist, Settlement Readiness Self-Assessment Tool, Quick Tips & Tricks, and YouTube Channel). Services focus on key settlement domains including housing, healthcare, employment, culture, and education. The program has served over 75,000 immigrants from more than 145 countries since 2007.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Immigrant Workshop (Atelier pour immigrants) A 3.5-hour live virtual group session that provides comprehensive information about living and working in Canada, covering topics such as cost of living, housing, healthcare, finances, education, transportation, cultural adaptation, and employment preparation including transferable skills and professional networking. Designed for approved immigrants holding an official IRCC document and residing outside Canada.
• One-on-One Planning Session (Séance individuelle) A 60-minute personalized virtual session with an experienced facilitator that produces a customized Settlement Plan (My Action Plan) tailored to the participant's profession, destination province, family needs, and career goals. The session identifies needs and assets, provides curated resources, and outlines steps to take before and after arrival in Canada.
• Connections to In-Canada Advisors A referral service connecting participants with settlement advisors and employment specialists based on their destination province and intended occupation. Includes guidance on provincial systems, local services, labor market information, regulated profession licensing, and referrals to post-arrival settlement and employment partner organizations (e.g., ISANS, COSTI, CCIS, Archway).
• Self-Directed Services / Resources Hub (Soutien autodirigé) Comprehensive digital resource center providing e-learning modules, simulations, a client e-library with checklists and guides, recorded webinars, and open-access resources. Topics include housing, healthcare, finances, employment, education, transportation, and cultural adaptation. Some resources are available without registration; full library accessible to registered participants.
• Live Webinars Free live online information sessions led by Canadian experts and community organizations covering specific topics such as employment strategies, healthcare careers, AI in job search, government benefits, financial planning, and buying a first home in Canada. Complement workshops and planning sessions with practical tips and real-time Q&A.
• Pre-Arrival Checklist for Immigrants to Canada A downloadable checklist created by Planning for Canada to help approved immigrants prepare for settlement and employment before arrival. Covers key actions after receiving invitation to pre-arrival services including document preparation, employment preparation, and settlement planning tasks.
• Settlement Readiness Self-Assessment Tool A self-assessment checklist that helps immigrants review their preparedness for settling in Canada across key areas including landing, documents, healthcare, finances, housing, education, transportation, community support, and understanding rights and responsibilities.
• Quick Tips & Tricks for Immigrants to Canada A collection of practical tips and advice from former Planning for Canada clients sharing real experiences and lessons learned to help future immigrants prepare with more confidence before arrival in Canada.
• Planning for Canada YouTube Channel A video library containing program overviews, practical guidance, settlement tips, and newcomer success stories to help viewers understand what to expect before and after arrival in Canada.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000+ immigrants supported since 2007
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ACCES EmploymentminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026Webinar co-host for AI in job search webinar. ACCES specialists provide expert guidance on using artificial intelligence tools for Canadian job search as part of Planning for Canada's webinar series.
• RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026Webinar co-host for home buying webinar. RBC specialists provide expert guidance on purchasing first home in Canada as part of Planning for Canada's webinar series.
• Archway Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for British Columbia. Provides in-Canada advisory services to Planning for Canada participants settling in BC. Offers settlement guidance, employment support, and local community connections tailored to BC destination.
• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for Alberta. Delivers in-Canada advisory and employment services to Planning for Canada participants settling in Alberta. Specialized in settlement integration and employment preparation.
• Saskatoon Open Door Society (SODS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for Saskatchewan. Provides settlement and employment advisory services to Planning for Canada participants settling in Saskatchewan.
• Manitoba StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for Manitoba. Offers settlement guidance and employment support services to Planning for Canada participants settling in Manitoba.
• COSTI Immigrant ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for Ontario. Provides comprehensive settlement and employment advisory services to Planning for Canada participants settling in Ontario, the most popular destination province.
• Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for New Brunswick. Delivers settlement and employment advisory services to Planning for Canada participants settling in New Brunswick.
• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for Nova Scotia. Provides comprehensive settlement and employment services to Planning for Canada participants settling in Nova Scotia, including Halifax.
• Association of New Canadians (ANC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial partner for Newfoundland and Labrador. Offers settlement and employment advisory services to Planning for Canada participants settling in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• ACCES EmploymentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner providing job search support, resume services, and employment guidance to Planning for Canada participants. Specializes in helping immigrants prepare for Canadian job market.
• CTIC (Conseil des technologies de l'information et des communications)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner specializing in technology sector employment support for Planning for Canada participants with IT and communications backgrounds.
• BCCA (British Columbia Construction Association)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner providing construction industry employment guidance to Planning for Canada participants seeking work in BC's construction sector.
• SOPA (Settlement Online Pre-Arrival)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner offering pre-arrival employment services to Planning for Canada participants, helping prepare for Canadian job market before arrival.
• CARE (Centre for International Educated Nurses)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner providing guidance to internationally educated nurses among Planning for Canada participants, helping with credential recognition and nursing career pathways in Canada.
• JVS TorontocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner providing settlement and employment services to Planning for Canada participants settling in the Toronto area.
• ICTC (Information and Communications Technology Council)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEmployment partner providing technology sector employment support and guidance to Planning for Canada participants with IT backgrounds.
• Connexions FrancophonescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for francophone immigrants planning to settle outside Quebec. Provides additional French-language support services to bilingual participants.
• Government of QuebeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for immigrants planning to settle in Quebec. Provides information on Quebec-specific settlement services and integration support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Settlement Online Pre-Arrival (SOPA): SOPA is a Canadian government-funded pre-arrival employment service for newcomers, offering very similar pre-arrival job-readiness preparation as Planning for Canada. Both are IRCC-funded and serve overlapping immigrant cohorts, making SOPA the closest direct functional peer.
• Welcome.US: Welcome.US is a U.S. nonprofit that mobilizes the private sector and communities to welcome and support newcomers, including through pre-arrival and early-settlement support. It mirrors Planning for Canada's mission of preparing and integrating newcomers in a destination country, with comparable bilingual/multilingual programming ambition.
• Costi Immigrant Services: COSTI is a large Ontario-based immigrant services provider delivering settlement, employment, language, and newcomer integration services. It is both a Planning for Canada provincial partner and a comparable direct service provider with overlapping target populations.
• Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS): CCIS is an Alberta-based settlement and refugee-serving organization providing employment preparation, language training, and integration support — directly comparable to Planning for Canada's services and a current Alberta provincial partner.
• ACCES Employment: ACCES Employment is a leading Canadian employment services nonprofit focused on helping immigrants and refugees find meaningful work in Canada. It is both an employment partner of Planning for Canada and a direct comparator on employment-preparation programming for newcomers.
• Manitoba Start: Manitoba Start is a Manitoba-based newcomer employment and settlement services organization offering pre- and post-arrival employment preparation — directly comparable in scope and a current provincial partner of Planning for Canada.

Broad incumbents

• WES (World Education Services): WES is a leading non-profit credential evaluation service that helps immigrants prepare for professional work in North America before arrival. While broader in scope, WES addresses the same pre-arrival employment-readiness pain point that Planning for Canada targets and is a recognized player in the immigrant pre-arrival services category.

Emerging players

• Talent Beyond Boundaries: Talent Beyond Boundaries is a nonprofit that helps refugees and displaced talent find skilled employment in destination countries through pre-arrival preparation, employer matching, and cross-border mobility programs — overlapping with Planning for Canada's pre-arrival employment and employer-connection work.

Regional players

• ISSofBC (Immigrant Services Society of BC): ISSofBC is a major British Columbia-based settlement services organization that supports newcomers with employment preparation, language training, and settlement support — directly overlapping Planning for Canada's service domains for BC-destination immigrants.
• Immigration New Zealand — New Zealand Now: New Zealand Now is the New Zealand government's official pre-arrival and settlement program for approved migrants, providing orientation, employment guidance, and lifestyle information. It is structurally the closest international-government-funded analog to Planning for Canada.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planning for Canada / Planifier pour le Canada