What is British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program?
Fast-Track Your Canadian Dream
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program that allows the province of British Columbia, Canada, to nominate individuals who wish to settle in the province and contribute to its economy. The program is designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates who have the potential to meet the labor market and economic needs of the province.
To apply, candidates typically need to create an online profile with the BC PNP and enter the relevant information regarding their qualifications, work experience, and other factors. The program uses a points-based system to rank candidates, and those with the highest scores are invited to apply for provincial nomination.
Once nominated, candidates can apply to the federal government for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program. Nomination from British Columbia can significantly increase the chances of being approved for permanent residence.
The British columbia PNP program has two primary streams designed to match your unique skills and aspirations: Let’s dive deep into these streams and learn about the process and eligibility of each.
BC Skills Immigration stream
Skills Immigration has five sub-streams, each with its own set of eligibility requirements. The eligibility for many streams depends on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system of the federal government, with the BC PNP utilizing the latest 2021 version of the NOC.
1. Skilled Worker stream
The Skilled Worker stream provides employment for experienced professionals, managers, technicians, trade workers, and individuals from other occupations seeking permanent residency in British Columbia.
This stream also has an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
eligibility criteria
- Get a full-time job offer from a BC employer without an end date.
- Ensure your job offer is classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Be qualified to execute the responsibilities of the designated job.
- Must have at least two years of full-time work experience at your NOC levels
- Meet the minimum language requirements
- Receive a competitive salary offer in line with BC prevailing rates for your job.
- Show your ability to support yourself and your dependents.
2. Healthcare Authority
The Healthcare Stream provides a permanent residency pathway to individuals employed by a health authority in British Columbia. If you are a physician, midwife, or nurse practitioner, you may also be eligible to apply under this stream. It is not necessary to register for this stream; if you meet the eligibility requirements, you can submit your application directly to the BC PNP.
This stream also has an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
eligibility criteria
- A full-time job offer is required from BC Public Health Authority. However, if you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or midwife in British Columbia, you may submit a letter from the health authority or midwife practice group.
- Fulfill education, training, experience & qualification requirements stipulated by health authority. Your application must be approved by them.
- Be qualified to execute the responsibilities of the designated job.
- Must have at least two years of full-time work experience at your NOC levels
- Meet the minimum language requirements
- Receive a competitive salary offer in line with BC prevailing rates for your job.
- Show your ability to support yourself and your dependents.
3. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
The entry-level and semi-skilled stream offers a prominent opportunity for workers in specific occupations in the tourism or hospitality, and food processing sectors to obtain permanent residency in British Columbia.
This stream doesn’t have an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
eligibility criteria
- Your occupation must be listed as one of the eligible occupations. Kindly note that all occupations eligible under ELSS fall under NOC TEER 4 or 5 classification.
- Get a full-time job offer from a BC employer without an end date.
- Applicants are required to have a minimum of nine consecutive months of full-time work with their employer before registering.
- Please ensure that the language and educational requirements are fulfilled.
- Receive a competitive salary offer in line with BC prevailing rates for your job.
- Demonstrate your ability to sustain yourself and provide for your dependents.
4. International Graduate
The International Graduate stream provides a formal pathway for recent graduates holding a degree or diploma from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution to acquire permanent residency and prolong their stay in British Columbia.
This stream also has an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
eligibility criteria
- Have successfully obtained a degree, diploma, or certificate from a qualifying Canadian post-secondary institution within the last three years.
- Required a full-time job offer from a BC employer without a defined end date. Job must be classified as NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3. Management occupations under NOC TEER 0 are not eligible.
- Be qualified to execute the responsibilities of the designated job.
- Please ensure that the language and educational requirements are fulfilled.
- Receive a competitive salary offer in line with BC prevailing rates for your job.
- Demonstrate your ability to sustain yourself and provide for your dependents.
5. International Post-Graduate
The International Post-Graduate stream is intended for individuals who have recently graduated from an eligible post-secondary institution in British Columbia with an eligible master's or doctoral degree. It may also be available to PhD candidates at a public post-secondary institution in British Columbia.
This stream also has an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
eligibility criteria
- Receiving a Master's or Doctoral degree in any field of study from a public post-secondary institution in B.C. qualifies you for this stream.
- BC post-secondary PhD candidates in any field who have advanced to candidacy can apply.
- Show that you can settle, work and establish in British Columbia economically.
BC Priority occupations
This section covers priority occupations and supplemental criteria that promote the BC PNP's strategic initiatives.
Construction
Construction job seekers must meet specific requirements to receive targeted invitations to apply.
A valid job offer is required, without an end date, and a full-time job in one of the priority construction occupations is also mandatory.
- A valid trade certificate or apprenticeship registered with Skilled Trades BC is required.
Your trade certificate must match with your job offer.
Childcare
Individuals who possess a job offer in the occupation listed below may be eligible for focused invitations to apply:
Occupation: 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants.
Please note that these occupations are not exclusive and may not be the only ones that qualify for the BC PNP. Priority occupations may receive focused invitations after submitting registration.
Healthcare
Employees who are directly employed by a provincial health authority, or those who are physicians, nurse practitioners, or midwives with the support of a provincial health authority, can submit an application directly to the Health Authority stream. However, those who are not Health Authority employees and have a job offer in the following occupations may receive targeted invitations to apply through a different stream.
Technology
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program provides a path to permanent residence to skilled professionals in select, high-demand technology occupations. To meet the specific needs of BC's technology sector, priority technology occupations are exempt from the permanent job offer requirement.
Veterinary
Qualified workers in specific occupations may receive targeted invitations to apply.
- 31103 Veterinarians
- 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to invest in and actively manage a business in British Columbia.
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must demonstrate business experience, have a personal net worth of at least CAD 600,000, and be willing to make a minimum investment of CAD 200,000 in a new or existing business in B.C.
Process for applying
Interested entrepreneurs must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and create a profile. The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for provincial nomination.
What is express entry BC (EEBC) option?
The Express Entry BC (EEBC) option is an effective immigration pathway that offers a faster route to permanent residency for candidates who are already in the federal Express Entry pool. This option is ideal for those who meet the criteria for one of British Columbia's Skills Immigration streams that include the Express Entry BC option and are looking to accelerate their journey toward settling in Canada.
When you apply through the EEBC option, you are leveraging the strengths of both the federal Express Entry system and the province’s demand for skilled workers. If you are successfully nominated by the province of British Columbia through this option, your profile in the federal Express Entry pool will receive additional points. This increase in points not only boosts your ranking but also significantly enhances your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency from the federal government.
Moreover, the EEBC option can expedite the processing of your federal permanent residence application, enabling you to transition to life in Canada more quickly. This combination of increased points and faster processing times makes the EEBC option an attractive choice for skilled professionals aiming to contribute to the dynamic economy of British Columbia.
In summary, the Express Entry BC (EEBC) option is a valuable pathway for skilled workers in the federal Express Entry pool, offering a competitive edge in the pursuit of permanent residency and a faster transition to life in Canada.
Why choose British Columbia (BC) to move there?
British Columbia isn't just beautiful—it's booming! As one of Canada's most economically developed provinces, BC offers
- Abundant Job Opportunities: From tech to tourism, BC's diverse economy has something for everyone.
- Impressive Economic Growth: Be part of a province that consistently outperforms national averages.
- Competitive Wage Rates: Enjoy fair compensation that reflects your skills and experience.
One of the most exciting aspects of the BC PNP is its regular draws for new immigrants. These frequent selections significantly boost your chances of securing permanent residency in this popular province. It's not just about moving to Canada—it's about setting roots in a place where opportunity knocks daily.
How to Apply for British columbia PNP program?
If you are interested in applying for the BC PNP, it's essential to stay updated with the latest draw information and ensure that your profile meets the eligibility criteria. Here are a few steps to consider:
- Start by creating an online profile through the BC PNP Online registration system.
- Select the stream that best matches your skills and work experience.
- Once your profile is complete, submit it and wait for an invitation to apply (ITA).
- If invited, gather all required documents and submit your application within the specified timeframe.
- If IRCC accepts your application, you will be a Canadian permanent resident!