FAQs
IWS provides gender inclusive services to all newcomers, immigrants and refugees. Our original mandate was to provide support to newcomer, immigrant and refugee women to help them settle in their new community. In 2005 our mandate was expanded to serve and support entire families through their settlement journey. There are however a few programs such as Just4Women, WomenConnect and Next Gen Girls that are geared for those who identify as women.
Our main office is located in Saskatoon and we have a satellite office in Regina. We also regularly make arrangements to provide some essential services to newcomer, immigrant, and refugee women and their families in Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and Lloydminster.
No it does not. For shelters, please contact the YWCA Women’s Shelter in Saskatoon and Regina Transition House in Regina.
Yes. Our mandate is to provide support to assist newcomer, immigrant and refugee women and their families. This includes those who have recently become Canadian citizens and are still in the process of integrating into life in Canada.
No, all of our services are provided free of charge.
No, however, we do offer a Drop-in EAL (English as an Additional Language) class that is open to all immigration statuses.
We also offer Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) assessment services to Permanent and Temporary Residents, as well as new Citizens. After language assessment, our clients are referred to free LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers in Canada) and Stage or E4E (English for Employment) language classes funded by IRCC and the Government of Saskatchewan respectively.
IWS is also the official testing centre in Saskatoon for CELPIP, an English language test, frequently used by temporary and permanent residents, to apply for PR or Citizenship
LARC means Language Assessment and Referral Center and is a program administered by IWS. Through the Centre, we conduct English language tests for newcomers who want to attend free language classes funded by the government of Canada.
Contact us by email, phone, through social media, or in person at our offices in Regina and Saskatoon. If you are new to IWS, please bring a government-issued document confirming you immigration status in Canada, such as a PR card, Confirmation of PR (CoPR) or Work Permit. Other documents may be required depending on the program you are interested in attending.
Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Yes, unless it is a Drop-In program, appointments are required to access our services.
Typically, no we do not provide transportation for program participants.
We provide short-term childcare while participants are taking part in LARC, NAARS and Welcome to Saskatchewan (W2SK). We are unable to provide any other childcare at this time.
No, as we are not formally trained to provide such services. If you require help, please contact an immigration consultant or immigration lawyer or visit https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program can provide more information on refugee the sponsorship process. Follow this link: https://www.rstp.ca/en.
Our programs are only for those who are new to Canada. Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan (formerly READ Saskatoon) provides English literacy learning for non-newcomers. You can find them here: https://www.foundationslearning.com/
Yes, IWS in Saskatoon is a site for the CELPIP test used for citizenship applications. However, to register for the CELPIP test, you must register through the CELPIP Centre at www.celpip.ca. Please note, there is a fee to take this test. The CELPIP test results can also be used to apply for Permanent Residency.
