Hiring temporary foreign workers

Last updated on May 6, 2025

Employers: Ready for new temporary foreign worker housing rules in 2027?

The Ministries of Health and Agriculture & Food need your input to help shape B.C.’s implementation. Take the survey before June 20:
engage.gov.bc.ca/workerhousingstandards

The Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act protects foreign workers in B.C. from unfair practices. If you're a foreign worker with concerns about recruitment or employment, find out how the law protects you.

Hiring temporary foreign workers

Employers must register
to hire foreign workers

Employers can hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour and skill shortages. Most employers hire a foreign worker through the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Foreign worker recruiters
must be licensed

Recruiters help employers in B.C. find foreign workers. Individual recruiters must be licensed in B.C., even if their business or main operations are located outside of the province.

See a list of employers and recruiters

If you will be working in B.C. under most federal foreign worker programs, your employer must be registered. Employers must only use licensed foreign worker recruiters.

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Hiring temporary foreign workers

Employers must register to hire foreign workers

Foreign worker recruiters must be licensed

See a list of employers and recruiters

Employers must register
to hire foreign workers

Foreign worker recruiters
must be licensed