Archive - The Canadian Immigration Integration Project for Pre-Arrival Preparation

The Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP) prepares Federal Skilled Worker and Provincial Nominee immigrants for economic integration while still in their country of origin. From 2005-2012, CIIP has served almost 19,000 clients.

Through offices located in China, India, Philippines and the United Kingdom, free pre-departure orientation services are offered to Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominees, their spouses and adult dependents in 25 countries, while they are still overseas during the final stages of the immigration process.

CIIP helps newcomers gain employment that reflects their skills, credentials and experience, so that they can contribute their full potential as quickly as possible to the Canadian economy and society. CIIP enables immigrants to prepare effectively overseas to meet credential, language and skill requirements to achieve economic integration in Canada.

The first CIIP component is a one-day group orientation session that provides an overview of employment prospects in a broad range of sectors in each province and territory, as well as advice about improving job-readiness, conducting a job-search and enhancing job retention.

The second CIIP component involves personalized planning focused on key job and integration decisions, as well as actions to be taken before and after arrival in Canada.

The third CIIP component provides online advice, tools and other resources, as well as direct contact with Canadian partners including employers. In this way, CIIP also acts as an integration platform for employers and other partners to reach out to newcomers even before they land in Canada.

A third-party evaluation of the pilot phase demonstrated the success of the program, with 67% of respondents employed at the time of the survey; 59% of whom were in the same or a related occupation. A full 93% of those employed were working within six months of their arrival in Canada.

Designed and managed by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, CIIP ran as a pilot project funded by Employment and Social Development Canada from 2005-2010, serving 9,190 clients in China, India and the Philippines through offices in Guangzhou, Delhi and Manila.

CIIP expanded in October 2010 when Citizenship and Immigration Canada assumed support for the program. At this time, an additional office was established in London program delivery expanded to serve clients from 25 countries.