Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers in BC: Register as Employer
Register to hire foreign workers
Employers need to register to hire temporary foreign workers in B.C.
Takes up to 15 minutes.
Processing takes up to 7 weeks. (on Dec 29, 2022)
Note: We are currently experiencing an increased volume of applications. Applications are processed in the order they are received and we are unable to expedite applications at this time.
Before you start
Make sure you meet the federal requirements to hire foreign workers.
You’ll need to tell us:
- The legal name, address, email and phone number of your business
- The name, email and phone number for each business owner, director or partner
- The name, email and phone number for at least one contact person (this can be one of the above people)
- The address of each work location
- The business’s industry type and the services it performs
You’ll also be asked:
- How many foreign workers you intend to employ within the next 12 months
- Where you intend to recruit foreign workers from
- If you’re planning on providing accommodation to foreign workers you hire
If you have a WorkSafeBC registration number, include it on the form and upload a clearance letter.
PDF: Req-Clearance Letter : WorkSafeBC WorkSafe-onlineform-Clearance Letter
PDF: WSF-sample
Overview
The B.C. government keeps a public registry of employers that are registered to hire foreign workers. The registry lists each employer’s name, the date they were registered as an employer and when their registration expires.
If you are renewing your registration, you will need to apply through this same process.
Who needs to register?
You need to register if you intend to hire a temporary worker through most federal foreign worker programs:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
- Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker pilots
- Other programs that require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
You do not need to register if you’re an excluded employer or you
- Currently employ foreign workers and do not plan to hire additional workers
- Only hire foreign workers under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or federal International Mobility Program (IMP)
If you’re unsure, contact the Compliance and TFW Team.
Exclude-Employer-0513_2020, PDF file.
Register
Employers in B.C. need a certificate of registration before they can hire temporary foreign workers.
Apply for or renew a certificate of registration
After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your application details. You may be contacted as part of the application review process.
Register, Apply For Or Renew A Certificate Of Registration, Opens In A New Window
Applications can be reviewed
Applications may be reviewed based on factors such as:
- Past conduct
- Compliance with the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act and Regulation
- Compliance with the Employment Standards Act and Regulation
Applications can be refused
Based on the review process, an application can be refused if an applicant:
- Provides incomplete, false, misleading or inaccurate information
- Has not followed provincial or federal laws
- Does not conduct business legally, honestly, with integrity or in the interest of the public
If an application is refused, you can submit a request for reconsideration.
Get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
After you receive a certificate of registration, you can get an LMIA from the federal government.
Next Steps
Know your obligations
Employers of foreign workers in B.C. need to:
- Follow employment standards
- Meet WorkSafeBC requirements
- Inform each foreign worker about their rights under the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act
Keep accurate records
Employers must have a written contract with each temporary foreign worker. If a recruiter was used to hire the worker, keep a copy of the recruiter’s contract as well.
Records must be kept in B.C. for at least four years. They must be made available for inspection upon request.
Employers must keep all records related to recruiting and hiring temporary foreign workers:
- Signed contracts
- Fees and expenses related to recruitment and hiring
- The name, address and work location of each worker
- Approval from the federal government to recruit and hire temporary foreign workers
- All payroll records
Renew your certificate
Your certificate of registration may be issued for up to three years. The Director of Employment Standards has discretion over the period of time a certificate of registration remains valid.
You will need to apply through this same process to renew your certificate before it expires. If you hire additional temporary foreign workers after your certificate expires, we may not renew your certificate. It’s against the law to hire a foreign worker with an expired certificate of registration.
Contact
Contact Employment Standards
The Compliance and TFW Team administers the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act and Regulation.
