ISSofBC is still here to welcome newcomers to settle in communities, learn English and find work across many locations.
However, several ISSofBC locations and programs are changing at the end of March 2025. Please see below for all the latest updates as they are announced.
Please note that our English Language LINC classes will continue to be offered across all our locations. We will also have new classes in Surrey and expanded classes in Coquitlam.
Thank you for being so patient during this time. If you have questions about your ISSofBC program or location, please get in touch with info@issbc.org. Please include the area or location (eg Vancouver, Burnaby or Langley etc) in the subject header. We will respond as soon as possible.
If you have general questions or concerns about support for newcomers in Canada, contact the IRCC via this Contact Form or call them at 1-888-242-2100 (from within Canada only, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, except for statutory holidays).
Summary of changes by program or location
Please read further down the page for more information on each change:
- Change in our Burnaby office
- Changes to our English language services/LINC
- Our Language and Career College (LCC) offers alternative English classes. They are recommended by 99% of students. NEW: New students receive a 50% discount, equivalent to $5.50 per study hour.
- NEW: LINC class expansions at our Surrey and Coquitlam offices.
- Closure of our Langley office
- Changes at our Victoria Drive office
- Changes at our Surrey office
- Changes at our Coquitlam office
- Changes at our Richmond office
- Changes at our New Westminster office
- End of all Entrepreneur programs (Business Quest, Spark and Ignite)
- End of Job Quest
- End of the Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality
- End of settlement and language support to CUAET (Ukrainian) visa holders.
Changes in our Burnaby office
From 22 March 2025, all programs have ended at our Burnaby office except for:
Programs may still be available at other ISSofBC locations, so please check our website for more information in your language.
In Burnaby, the following service providers may still be able to support you:
Changes to our English language (LINC)
Starting 1 April 2025:
- The LINC English language program will only offer CLB 1-6 classes.
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There will be no classes for Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or CLB 8 students in LINC at ISSofBC.
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All CLB 5 and 6 (Life & Work) classes will be online only, and space will be limited.
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- NEW: Class expansion in Coquitlam and Surrey. More details to follow!
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ISSofBC’s Language and Career College (LCC) offers affordable English classes. 99% of students recommend it.
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New students can enjoy a 50% discount, equivalent to $5.50 per hour.
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Langley office closing
Our Langley office closed on 21 March 2025.
For clients living in Langley, settlement services are available at:
Changes in our Victoria Drive office
Our English language LINC classes will expand.
Please contact linc.vancouver@issbc.org for further information.
The Job Quest and Business Quest programs end on 31 March 2025. Please visit www.issbc.org to explore other employment programs available.
All other programs continue as usual.
Changes in our Surrey office
We are pleased to announce that we will open English Language LINC classes. Look for more information posted on our website soon.
Please note: There will be no classes for Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or CLB 8 students in LINC at ISSofBC. All CLB 5 and 6 classes will be online only, and space in these classes will be limited.
The following employment programs end on 31 March 2025:
- Job Quest
- Business Quest
- Spark & Ignite.
We are glad to confirm that we will continue to offer:
- Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)
- Careers and job services: Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, Global Talent Loans, Skills Hub and B-Hired.
Changes in our Coquitlam office
Additional LINC classes will be offered at this office to address the language needs of more clients. More details are coming soon!
Changes in our Richmond office
The following settlement programs close on 31 March 2025:
- Settlement Support Services
- Moving Ahead Program (MAP).
Changes in our New Westminster office
The Job Quest and Business Quest programs close on 31 March 2025. Please visit www.issbc.org to explore other available employment programs.
End of all Entrepreneur and ‘Start a Business’ programs
The Job Quest, Business Quest, Spark, and Ignite programs will end on 31 March 2025. Since their inception, these programs have supported over 500 newcomer entrepreneurs to start a business.
End of Job Quest
Job Quest ends on March 31, 2025. No new clients are being accepted.
ISSofBC will launch a new employment program in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Vancouver. Updates will be published on this website. As this program is new, all interested individuals must apply once it has launched.
End of the Gateway to Tourism and Hospitality Program
This program will also end on 31 March 2025. The Gateway program has supported over 400 newcomers and worked with 150 corporate partners to develop careers in hospitality and tourism.
End of support for CUAET visa holders
After 31 March 2025, holders of Canada-Ukraine Authorisation for Emergency Travel with temporary resident status in Canada and their dependents will no longer be eligible for IRCC-funded language and settlement services.
Since the start of the CUAET program in 2022, we have supported over 800 Ukrainian newcomers as they settled, learned English, and found work.
Ukrainian visa holders may also be eligible for provincial programs, like the BC Newcomer Support Program (NSP).
Our Language and Career College (LCC) also offers a 50% discount on English classes.
Thank you to all the ISSofBC staff who contributed to our work and supported many newcomers within their programs. Thank you to our clients for trusting us as they build their lives in British Columbia.
