Immigration programs and pathways
Immigration Programs and Pathways
Are you planning to hire talent from abroad? Here is a range of programs for entrepreneurs and skilled workers offered by the Provincial and Federal Governments.
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Federal Express Entry Programs
Federal Express Entry programs are intended for skilled immigrants who want to settle in Canada permanently and take part in our economy.
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Start-up Visa Program
This visa targets entrepreneurs with skills and potential to build businesses that are innovative, create jobs for Canadians and can compete globally.
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Federal Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
This Pilot is aimed at experienced, non-seasonal agri-foods workers within specific industries/occupations.
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BC PNP - Skills Immigration
The Skills Immigration stream of the BC PNP is for people with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by BC employers.
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BC PNP - Entrepreneur Immigration
This stream is a path to immigrate to Canada and settle in BC for experienced entrepreneurs who can support innovation and economic growth in the province.
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BC PNP Tech
BC PNP Tech offers skilled workers in select, in-demand tech occupations a pathway to permanent residence. It helps B.C. tech employers recruit and retain international talent when local skilled workers are unavailable.
Hire a permanent foreign worker
You can hire a foreign worker to fill a permanent position and support them in their application for permanent residence.
Find out more about
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the programs you can use to hire on a permanent basis
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what your responsibilities are depending on the program you choose
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Hire a temporary foreign worker
Are you an employer looking to hire a temporary foreign worker? Canada’s flexible immigration system and innovative programs can help you attract and retain the right talent to fill labour shortages and bring new skills to boost your competitive edge. Follow these steps to navigate the process.
Step 1: Make sure the worker knows if they need a work permit.
Step 2: Do you need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
- If yes, apply for an LMIA through Employment and Social Development Canada.
- If no, you can hire through the International Mobility Program.
Step 3: Give the worker the information and documents they need to prepare their work permit application.
Hire international students
You can hire eligible students while they study or after they graduate. Study permit holders may be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit as soon as they begin their studies in Canada. Learn more by visiting Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Immigration application process
Use the links below to determine immigration labour program eligibility and navigate the application process.
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Employer immigration program information
The BC PNP is a tool for employers to recruit and retain in-demand workers for positions that can’t be filled from the domestic labour pool. Most BC PNP categories need the support of an eligible B.C. employer. This means you must fulfill certain responsibilities and requirements to support your employee’s BC PNP application. Learn more...
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Immigration program documents, guides, and forms
Get immigration program guides, application forms and more by visiting the province of BC's website.
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Determine eligibility to work in BC
Find out if you are eligible to work in B.C. with this handy tool from the Government of Canada.
Info sheets for economic immigration programs
Want to quickly establish which program is right for your business? Need information on applying? Look no further. The Government of Canada has developed info sheets on a number of economic immigration programs.
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Hiring foreign French-speaking or bilingual workers (PDF, 252 KB)
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Learn about the different programs you can use to hire a temporary foreign worker (PDF, 150 KB)