Abbotsford Community Services, India 2.55

Abbotsford Community Services (ACS) based out of British Columbia, Canada, is a non-profit, multi-service, multi-funded community based social service agency. ACS strives to be an agency that foster community well-being and social justice through positive action and leadership. ACS offers services through 80 different programs. It has provided Immigrant Settlement Services since the late 70’s. Our newest and the first global venture is the pre arrival services office in Chandigarh, “India2Canada”.

India2Canada – Pre Arrival Services for immigrants: The program is funded by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada) formerly CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) and aims to provide pre arrival guidance to approved immigrants from across India, to assist in early transition and integration.

We do this by identifying gaps in information through a ‘Needs Assessment’ process, followed by an orientation session that broadly covers topics around - About Canada, The socio-cultural differences, Pre-departure documents, On-arrival procedures. We offer in depth Webinars on topics around Employment and Labour Market, Overview of the Education System, Financial Literacy, and Family Dynamics.

We also have a Pre Arrival Mentorship Program wherein we try to match our clients to Canadian volunteers in the same field of work etc. to help build a Canadian connection whilst they are still in their home country.

Eligibility: Eligible clients are the individuals who have been selected, to become permanent residents (PR) pending completion of medical, security and criminal verification statutory requirements, and who have been informed, by a letter from IRCC formerly (CIC).

Our Partners: Mosaic in Vancouver and Diversecity in Surrey