BC Newcomer Services Program (BC NSP)
This combined program can offer you Settlement services, practice your English skills, and employment support all in one place! Sign up today!
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BC Newcomer Services Program (BC NSP)
The BC Newcomer Services Program (BC NSP) supports you in settling into your new community in British Columbia with services like community orientation, job search support, and career counselling.
- Settlement connections: Get personalized orientation and plan, and join English conversation circles, social outings, and community events.
- Employment support: Attend eligibility sessions, Canadian labor market workshops, networking events, and volunteer or mentorship opportunities.
- Workplace rights: Learn about your rights in the Canadian workplace and get support for issues like workplace harassment.
- Employment counseling: Receive job readiness support, guidance with improving your resume for the Canadian job market, interview practice, and AI-based skills matching.
- Skills training: Access WorkBC programs, job workshops, certificate courses, and digital skills training.
Program Benefits
Gain access to essential tools, guidance, and networks that support your journey in Canada, empowering you to achieve personal and professional goals with confidence and growth opportunities.
| Service Area | Service | Client Groups | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Permit Holders | Study Permit Holders | Naturalized Canadian Citizens | Individuals with other immigration statuses | ||
| Settlement & Immigration Services | Settlement information, orientation & referrals | ||||
| Immigrations application information & assistance completing non-immigration related forms | |||||
| Outreach | |||||
| Short-term non-clinical counselling | |||||
| Labour Market Services | Employment information, orientation, and networking | ||||
| Information on workplace rights and responsibilities & support in the event of a workplace safety or employment standards violation | |||||
| Employment counselling | |||||
| Short-term pre-employment training & supported access to provincial and federal employment training program | |||||
| Language Services | Formal English language training | Restrictions apply | Restrictions apply |
You can join BC NSP if you have the following status :
- Work permit holders
- Study permit holders: You are an international post-secondary student with a valid study permit and cannot access similar services at your institution.
- Naturalized Canadian citizens: You have language barriers and need culturally appropriate services.
-
Other immigration statuses:
- Refugee claimants: You have submitted a refugee claim and received any of the following documents: Confirmation of Referral letter (CoRL), Acknowledgement of Claim (AOC), Refugee Protection Claim Document (RPCD), or Client Application Summary.
- Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa holders (until end March 2025)..
- BC Provincial Nominees or BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration candidates.
Restrictions Apply for:
-
Naturalized Canadian citizens who:
- Live outside of Metro Vancouver.
- Are actively seeking employment.
- Have not found English Language classes at public post-secondary institutions.
-
Work permit holders (excluding Refugee claimants) who:
- Live outside of Metro Vancouver.
- Hold a valid work permit for at least one year.
- Can demonstrate an intention to live in BC long-term.
Questions about BC NSP
See most common questions below. If you have more, don’t hesitate to contact us!
BC NSP supports you in settling into your new community in British Columbia with services like community orientation, job search support, and career counselling.
It is free for eligible participants.
The program is very inclusive, welcoming different immigration statuses, including:
- The program is very inclusive, welcoming different immigration statuses, including:
- Work permit holders: Individuals who hold any valid Canadian work permit.
- Study permit holders: International post-secondary students who hold a valid study permit and cannot access similar appropriate services at their institution of study.
- Naturalized Canadian Citizens: Naturalized Canadian citizens with language barriers who are vulnerable and require culturally appropriate services.
-
Specific individuals with other immigration statuses, including:
-
Refugee claimants: individuals who have submitted their claim for refugee protection and have received any of the following documents:
-
Confirmation of Referral letter (CoRL)
- Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC)
- Refugee Protection Claim Document (RPCD)
- Client Application Summary (after submitting a claim via IRCC’s online Portal).
-
Confirmation of Referral letter (CoRL)
-
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa holders, and;
- BC Provincial Nominees or BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration candidates.
-
Refugee claimants: individuals who have submitted their claim for refugee protection and have received any of the following documents:
Access to English language classes may be restricted to:
-
Work permit holders (excluding Refugee claimants) who:
- live outside of Metro Vancouver;
- hold a valid work permit of at least one year in length;
- can demonstrate their intention to reside in British Columbia on a long-term basis.
-
Naturalized Canadian Citizens who:
- live outside of Metro Vancouver;
- are actively seeking employment;
- have indicated that English classes offered by public post-secondary institutions are not available or not appropriate.
Vancouver – info@issbc.org / 604-684-2561
New Westminster – settlement@issbc.org / jobquest@issbc.org / 604-522-5902
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows – settlement.mr@issbc.org/ jobquest@issbc.org/ 778-372-6567
Settlement and labour market/job services are available at ISSofBC offices in:
Vancouver
New Westminster
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows locations.
English language classes in Squamish only.
There are other providers of BC NSP services in other areas of British Columbia, so for a full list of service providers, visit:
The BC NSP is free for eligible participants.
You can receive support from BC NSP if you meet the eligibility criteria and need the services.
There is no specific time limit.
Yes, through the program, we can support you in finding a job and teach you about the Canadian job market.
We offer various services to help with employment, including:
- Employment orientation sessions
- Information, orientation, and networking workshops
- Information on workplace rights and responsibilities
- Employment counselling
- Help with resume writing and job search
- Short-term pre-employment training
- Virtual (digital) interview simulations
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) competency matching.
Yes, we provide services in multiple languages to ensure accessibility.
Please tell our staff your preferred language so we can arrange suitable support.
Please refer to the WelcomeBC website for the complete list of BC NSP providers in British Columbia.
Locations Available
BC NSP is available at the following ISSofBC locations:
Languages Available
BC NSP services are primarily provided in English, but you can contact settlement@issbc.org to request a translator if you require support in additional languages.
Contact us
If you’re ready to join the BC NSP, contact us!
English language classes are also available in Squamish. For a full list of BC NSP service providers across British Columbia, visit: WelcomeBC.
Vancouver
- info@issbc.org
- 604-684-2561
New Westminster
- settlement@issbc.org
- bcemployment@issbc.org
- 604-522-5902
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows
- settlement.mr@issbc.org
- bcemployment@issbc.org
- 778-372-6567
Burnaby
- settlement@issbc.org
- Office only open Tuesday – Thursday
Funding Partners
