Vancouver Victoria Drive
This world-leading Welcome Centre offers the largest number of ISSofBC services, as well as partnership services such as banking, legal, health and family services.
2610 Victoria Dr
Vancouver
BC
Mon – Fri:
9:00am to 5:00pm
Sat – Sun:
CLOSED
1 (604) 684-2561
What We Offer
The programs and services available at our Vancouver Welcome Centre support you in settling into your communities, learning English, studying, and finding work in BC.
Please note: ISSofBC is not a government agency. If you have questions about citizenship or your immigration status, please refer to IRCC directly.
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Global Talent Loans
This program supports your return to your previous career or start a new one with support and low-interest loans.
Learn More
Low-interest rate government-funded loan
Career planning and counseling
Employment support
Support with recredentialling process
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E-Connect for Temporary Foreign Workers in BC
E-Connect is an online learning program. With support across BC, you’ll gain essential skills to succeed at work.
Learn More Support for building skills and settling in BC
Needs assessment to identify strengths and challenges
Personalized learning plan with online courses
Feedback from an experienced case manager
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Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants
Continue your career using your international experience to link to job opportunities in BC.
Learn More Qualification evaluation and assistance with BC licenses.
Help with joining regulatory bodies and professional associations.
Funding for skills and courses to enhance your qualifications.
Job search support tailored to your profession.
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B-Hired
B-Hired offers free job search training for young newcomers aged 16-29 in BC, focusing on in-demand jobs and career success.
Learn More Job search workshops
Occupational training leading to certificates;
Job search support/work experience placement;
Career counselling and coaching;
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Hire a Newcomer
Discover talented newcomers ready to join your team. Simplify your hiring process with tailored recruitment services.
Learn More Connect with skilled talent
Tailored recruitment support
Ongoing assistance for success
Diversity and inclusion training
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Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Free program that supports you to learn the English language, no matter your level. This training supports you to integrate and navigate daily life in British Columbia.
Learn More Flexible scheduling: full-time, part-time, in-person, online, and hybrid options
Available at several locations including Surrey, Coquitlam and Vancouver
Licensed preschool programs for children aged 30 months to 5 years
Parents can focus on studies while children learn English and social skills
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Skills Hub
Skills Hub offers you free job and skills training, supporting you with challenges like limited skills, low English levels, or childcare responsibilities.
Learn More Skills Training (including soft skills training)
Group workshops for employment readiness
1:1 development of training plans
Career counselling
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Volunteering and Community Connections
Volunteering is a great way to get Canadian work experience and support our important work of welcoming newcomers to British Columbia! As a volunteer with ISSofBC, you will get:
Learn More Valuable professional experience
Opportunities to learn about your local community
New friends and mentors
A way of practicing your English
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Newcomer Women Support
Our women’s programs can help you find support in your local community, make friends, learn about Canada, and even become a community leader!
Learn More Open for refugee and immigrant women
Must be aged 19 and above
Share your experiences with other newcomer women
Practise English and learn leadership skills
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Multi-cultural Youth Circle (MY Circle)
If you are between 14 and 24 years old, this is the perfect program for you! Discover local activities, become part of your community, and make friends. Benefits include:
Learn More Free training and skill workshops
Join group field trips across BC
Meet other young newcomers
Learn how to be a community leader
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Moving Ahead Program (MAP)
MAP can support you if you are facing challenges due to your identity or life experiences. MAP services are completely confidential.
Learn More Get support to access schools, healthcare, housing, and recreation.
Receive confidential guidance to adjust to life in Canada for you and your family
Learn stress management techniques for settling in Canada and build your confidence
Access specialised support for families, young adults, and LGBTQ+ newcomers
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BC SAFE HAVEN
BC SAFE HAVEN offers you free support as a refugee claimant, helping with settlement, English, job search, and mental health referrals.
Learn More Support for refugee claimants and asylum seekers
Refugee claim support
Settling in your new community
English language training
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BC Newcomer Services Program (BC NSP)
BC NSP supports you in settling into your new community in British Columbia with services like community orientation, job search support, and career counselling.
Learn More Settlement services
Practise your English in Conversation Circles
Work and career support
Start building your life in BC!
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Settlement Support
In this program, you will learn about life in British Columbia (BC), Canadian society, and local community services, such as medical care and schools, to build your life in BC. Services are available in English and your first language. Benefits include:
Learn More Support to access local schools and healthcare
Confidential support and case management
Personal settlement plan
Learn about your rights in Canada
All-in-one services
Beyond the programs and services listed above, we can also offer you additional services including banking, legal, medical, family and mental health support:
The Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic
This clinic provides free legal representation and advice to low-income refuge claimants, immigrants and people without legal status in BC.
Learn moreThe Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture
VAST confidential clinical counselling for victims of abuse and torture who have suffered before, during, and after their arrival in Canada.
Learn moreVancity
A BC bank that supports newcomers from our MAP and RAP programs and teaches you basic financial management.
There is also an automated teller machine (ATM) outside where you can withdraw money, deposit cash and cheques, and check your bank account.
Government Assisted Refugees (GARs)
As part of our work in supporting the refugees relocated to Canada by the UNHCR, we provide GARs temporary accommodation at our Victoria Drive office.
Refugee clients can stay in one of 17 suites for up to 21 days, allowing us to provide them with critical services, such as housing market orientation, English language class registration, and opening a bank account. Refugee clients feel more welcome and integrate faster.
Le Relais Francophone
Services for Francophones and Francophiles newcomers (for example if your first language is French) to support you to settle, learn English, and find work in British Columbia.
Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions:
Do you have questions about our services? Explore our FAQs for answers. If you have further questions, please contact [email protected]
This Welcome Centre offers newcomers many services under one roof including settlement, English language, careers, banking, legal, medical, childcare, temporary housing and more.
Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) have access to temporary housing units to support them in their first few weeks.
The building has been studied by over 37 countries worldwide as the first of its kind for its specialized and centralized design.
The Welcome Centre is near several public transport options. You can take the 99 Bus on Broadway to Commerical-Broadway Station.
If you come by SkyTrain, then get off at Commercial-Broadway Station and it is only a five-minute walk.
Please check TransLink for the best options: https://www.translink.ca/
You may also want to rent a car through our partner’s car-sharing service, Evo. It is free to join for you and you receive 100 free driving minutes if you use our ISSofBC promotional codes.
Please email [email protected] and include:
1. Your full name
2. Status in Canada
3. The service you are interested in e.g. settling in your community, learning English, job or careers services, or volunteering.
4. Any questions.
We welcome and support newcomers like you to settle in communities, learn English, study and find work in British Columbia (BC).
We offer specialized services to women, youth, seniors, people with disabilities and multiple challenges, as well as people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other forms of queerness (LGBTQIA+).
History
The Welcome Centre was opened in 2016 during the Royal Visit of His Majesties Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate.
The Centre is a result of decades of planning and was designed to simplify and centralize the key services that many newcomers, especially refugees and refugee claimants, face when they arrive in British Columbia.
For the first time, the Centre includes family housing units for newly arrived Government-Aided Refugees (GARs), providing them with a safe place to stay and receiving initial settlement support in their first language.
Henriquez Partners Architects and Terra Housing Consultants developed the Welcome Centre. The 58,000-square-foot facility is built to Gold LEED certification using strategies to reduce energy and water usage, promote better indoor air quality, and improve quality of life.