Apply for a recruiter's licence

Individual foreign worker recruiters must apply for a licence

Takes up to 15 minutes.
Processing takes up to 2 weeks

What you'll need

In order to apply for a recruiter licence, you'll need:

  • Your name, address, email and phone number
  • The legal name, address and phone number of the business you work for
  • The name, email and phone number for each business owner, director or partner

Overview

Individuals who offer foreign worker recruitment services to employers in B.C. must be licensed, even if they work outside the province. If a business employs more than one recruiter, each recruiter needs their own licence.

Both unlicensed recruiters and employers who use them can be fined up to $10,000.

Apply

Each individual recruiter needs to apply separately.

Pay the financial security

Financial security in the amount of $20,000 is required for each individual recruiter, issued in the applicant's own name.

The security can be paid by certified cheque, bank draft, irrevocable letter of credit or surety bond. You can send it before or after you apply, but your application will only be processed after the security is received. The security is returned if an application is refused.

Apply for a recruiter's licence

After you apply, you'll receive a confirmation email with your application details. A licensing officer will contact you when the application is assigned.

Next Steps

After you complete your application, the Employment Standards Branch will review it for completeness and evaluate your conduct based on character, financial history, competence and prior compliance. The Branch can also review your partners, affiliates and agents.

Licensed recruiters are added to the public list of licensed recruiters in B.C.

You must uphold your obligations required by law. You also need to keep records in B.C. for at least 4 years related to any recruitment services provided to a temporary foreign worker, including:

  • All signed contracts
  • The name and address for each foreign worker who received recruitment services
  • A description of recruitment services provided
  • The name of each employer a foreign worker was referred to and/or placed with
  • Fees and expenses requested or received

The Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act allows the Director to issue a recruiter licence for a period of up to 3 years. New applicants usually receive a 1-year licence. Recruiters must renew their licence before it expires.

Contact information

Contact Employment Standards

The B.C. Employment Standards Branch administers the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act and Regulation.


By email

Ask a question or get confidential support about temporary foreign workers in B.C.

EmploymentStandards@esb.gov.bc.ca


By phone

Get help in the language of your choice. Service is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm Pacific Time.

Call us toll-free: 1-833-236-3700

Outside of Canada or the U.S.A.: 1-604-660-2421


Quick question?

Text us to get a quick answer about temporary foreign workers in B.C.

Text us: 604-660-2421

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