Services for temporary workers, international students, and new citizens: The BC Newcomer Services Program

Last updated: September 10, 2025

The Province of British Columbia supports organizations across the province to deliver services for people that are on temporary work and study permits, including new citizens. You are a naturalized Canadian citizen if you came to Canada as an immigrant and are now a Canadian citizen.  

You are eligible for the BC Newcomer Services Program (BC NSP) if you are a:

• temporary worker with a valid work permit 
• international post-secondary student on a study permit (if services are not offered at your educational institution) 
• provincial nominee awaiting a decision on your application for permanent residency 
• naturalized Canadian citizen 
• displaced Ukrainian (including immediate family members) with valid CUAET visas   
• refugee claimant (more support is available through the BC Safe Haven program).

BC NSP allows for a broad range of people to access supports. A service provider can help you understand your rights, and help you adjust to life in B.C. Services are delivered across the province, and can match your schedule and preferred language. These services include:

• information and introductions to life in B.C.  
• English language practice
• connections to your local community, school, and healthcare 
• help with finding a job 
• counselling that provides support to help you through an emergency  

Services are available in-person and online, and often include one-on-one meetings, workshops and support groups, as well as peer support and mentoring.

To learn more about services available through the BC NSP, see the following information sheets:  

• Supports for work permit holders (PDF, 4MB)
• Supports for study permit holders (PDF, 4MB)
• Supports for naturalized Canadian citizens (PDF, 4MB)

Find a service provider

To find a service provider near you that delivers the BC NSP, please see the table below:

Temporary worker resources

If you came to B.C. through a temporary worker program, the Migrant Worker Hub includes important information that may be helpful, which includes a map of services available across the province. For more information about the rights of workers in B.C., please visit the Working in B.C. page.