Skilled Worker and Business Immigration

Kamloops welcomes people from all over the world to enrich our economic, social and cultural development. We are building a stronger economy by encouraging and enabling the migration of permanent and temporary workers to meet the demand for skilled labour in our community.

Venture Kamloops has provided you with a number of information sources and link to assist you in your decision making process and/or assist you with your skilled worker needs. We provide customized information to potential immigrants, local business owners and Canadian immigration consultants to better educate them about programs available to them, as well as why Kamloops is the best location in British Colmbia to invest your business and you future.        

Quality of Life - Above All

In Kamloops we have it all – jobs and business opportunities are plentiful, house prices are 1/3 the cost of Vancouver and the sunshine never ends. Our thriving community with a population of 85,000 offers all the amenities of a big city and the world class recreation that BC is famous for - all within a 3.5 hours drive to Vancouver.

Kamloops offers a relaxed lifestyle in a spectacular, natural setting with mix of sage lands, pine forests, mountains, lakes and rivers. Residents enjoy an impressive quality of life and public infrastructure second to none. With oustanding weather, no traffic congestion and lifestyle amenities at your doorstep young professionals, families and mature workers at taking advantage of the balance they can enjoy between career and recreational activities. To learn more about the Kamloops climate, its arts, culture and recrational opportunities as well as our health care ammentities Click here.

With four distinct seasons, beautiful vistas, and an increadible mix of vegitation and topography, Kamloops is the Jewel of the Interior. Visit our Media and News Gallery to view our award winning lifestyle video presentation on how Kamloopsians are living large and paying less. You can also explore our many publications, news stories or explore our photo gallery about the area. Click here to visit our media library. 

But don't just take our word for it! Learn why other people have chosen Kamloops as they share their stories. Click here to visit our testimonials page and see why they feel they have made the right decision..  

Immigrate to Canada 

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the official source of immigration and citizenship information in Canada. It is the premier website for information you may have regarding you, or your staff's ability to work as a skilled worker in Canada. 

Immigrating to Canada permanently is an exciting opportunity. However, there are several things you should consider before you apply to be a permanent resident. If you want to immigrate to Canada, there are a few different ways to apply. You will need to decide which immigration program will work best for you and your family. To find out about the requirements and the steps to apply in each category visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Physician Programs

If you are a physican looking to move to Canada, our region has number of programs that are available just for you. Find our why It's Better Here to work & live in Kamloops. Planning a visit to the region? Let us know. Our Red Carpet Physican Attraction and Retention Program has packages of information, gift certificants and coupons just for you so you can experience all the features that makes Kamloops so great. Click here to learn more about our Red Carpet Program.

Immigration Options and Information

You have a number of options when applying for permanent residence status. Read about these programs and decide which class suits you and your family best. Click on the link here to view a complete list of options, or visit our list below:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class Immigration
• Federal Business Class Immigration (Investor, Entrepreneur and Self-employed)
• Provincial Nominee (Accelerated permanent resident program in BC)
• Family Class Immigration
• Canadian Experience Class
• Labour Market Infomation 
• International Qualifications Information  

Immigration Programs and Resources for Employers

There are a number of programs available to British Columbian employers to assist them meet their labour needs through the hiring of foreign workers. Below are some valuable information links for you to explore if you are a local employeer looking at expanding your labour options.

Provincial Nominee (PNP) The PNP program accelerates the Permanent Resident application process for skilled and/or experienced workers, experienced business persons and their family members who want to settle in BC permanently.

Federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program  Hiring a foreign worker temporarily may help you meet short-term skill and labour needs when Canadians and permanent residents are not available. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)/Service Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) work together to ensure that the employment of foreign workers responds to regional, occupational and sectoral skills and labour demands, while protecting employment opportunities for Canadians and permanent residents.

Labour Market Information An employer who wants to hire a foreign worker must first apply to HRSDC/Service Canada for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). This opinion assesses what impact the worker would have on Canada’s labour market or, in other words, how the offer of employment would affect Canadian jobs. Once a positive LMO is issued, the foreign worker must be assessed by CIC; and a work permit must be issued before the worker is allowed to work and reside in Canada.

National Occupation Classification (NOC)   The NOC provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It is used for many applications including defining and collecting statistics, managing information databases, analyzing labour market trends and extracting practical career planning information.

Plan your move to Canada

If you are in the process of planning your move to Kamloops, below are a number of link that can help you make your move as smooth as possible.

A Newcomer’s Introduction to Canada can help you plan your move. The federal government guide includes advice on such things as preparing to enter the Canadian work force, choosing a place to live and learning about life in Canada.

Kamloops Immigrant Services is a not-for-profit organization which provides assistance to immigrants, first generation Canadians, visible minorities as well as community agencies, organizations and businesses in Kamloops.

Business and Entrepreneurial Assistance If you moving to Kamloops and considering starting your own business, the skilled staff at Venture Kamloops can help. One of our in house professionals will help you determine the viability of your business idea, or assist you to expand or relocate your business to Kamloops through the Business Retention & Expansion  program. 

If you are looking for a job in Kamloops you can start your search before you arrive by visiting our Job Opportunities  page on our website. 

For more general information about our community and what we have to offer please visit our Move To Kamloops page to order your customize information package.