British Columbia (BC) is Canada’s westernmost province widely known for its Pacific coastline and mountain ranges. It is one of the most diverse provinces and is home to the country’s third-largest city, Vancouver. Vancouver is consistently listed as one of the world’s best cities to live in, making it ever popular with immigrants.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (British Columbia PNP) is aimed at providing a fast-track service for permanent resident applications for experienced and skilled workers. It also caters for business people and their eligible family members to settle in BC permanently.
In addition, the British Columbia PNP was designed to attract foreign nationals with the necessary skills and experience targeted by the province. These foreign nationals include high-impact workers and entrepreneurs suitable for BC’s labour market and economic development priorities. Visit our website here to find out where in BC your job is in-demand.
These pathways offer applicants the chance to become permanent residents of British Columbia, this depends on NOC (National Occupational Classifications) skills, work experience and your status as an international student. These are the pathways to apply for through the PNP:
Skills Immigration;
Entrepreneur;
Express Entry; and
Tech Pilot
Foreign nationals applying through the BC PNP enjoy processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration programs.
Economic growth in BC largely depends on people and their productivity. If qualified workers and entrepreneurs meet labour market and economic development demands, the province will continue to prosper.
Immigration, therefore, plays an all-important role in helping BC meet its current and future labour market shortages.
The British Columbia PNP Immigration Pathways
The immigration process and registration for the BC PNP depend on which of the pathways you can apply for, this is determined by your:
National Occupational Classification (NOC);
Work Experience;
Skill Level; or
International Student Status.
The BC PNP Accepts Applications for Immigration to the Province Under Four Main Streams:
Skills Immigration
Entrepreneur Immigration
Express Entry British Columbia
Tech Pilot
- British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program Skills Immigration
Also known as the Skills Immigration or SI, this stream lets you apply if you have the right:
Work experience;
Qualifications; and
Skillset
The SI stream can help you become a permanent resident of BC.
The BC PNP Skills Immigration Is Also Divided Into the Following Categories:
Skilled Worker Category – This is for individuals who have received an eligible full-time job offer in technical, management, trade or a skilled occupation. Individuals must have at least 2 years of work experience in their occupation, have sufficient settlement funds, meet wage requirements and meet minimum language requirement if their occupation is classified as level B to apply. This category also lets applicants apply for permanent residence in the province.
Health Care Professional Category – Individuals with at least 2 years of work experience, have sufficient settlement funds, meet wage requirements, meet minimum language requirements if their occupation is classified as level B and eligible job offers as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or other health-related professionals may apply in this category. This category also lets applicants apply for permanent residence in the province.
International Post Graduate Category – This is for individuals who have acquired a Master’s or doctorate degree in the last 3 years in the natural, applied or health sciences from a recognized BC institution. You do not need a job offer to qualify.
International Graduate Category – This is for individuals who have graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college in the last three years. A full-time, indeterminate job offer classified at skill level 0, A or B from a BC employer, sufficient settlement funds, minimum wage requirements and minimum language requirements if their occupation is classified as level B are also required in this category.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category – Workers in certain entry-level or semi-skilled positions in tourism, hospitality, food processing, or long-haul trucking may be eligible to apply. Those in entry-level or semi-skilled positions living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia do not have a minimum skill level to apply. You must have a full-time, interminate job offer (minimum of 9 consecutive months), meet minimum language and education requirements, have sufficient settlement funds and meet wage requirements. This category also lets applicants apply for permanent residence in the province.
To apply for the SI system you must:
Create an online profile through the BC PNP and register;
Choose one of the five categories:
Skilled Worker;
Healthcare Professional;
International Post Graduate;
International Graduate; or
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
Receive a registration score and enter into a selection pool for the category you chose;
Complete your registration when you receive your confirmation email along with you BC PNP registration number. Please note that your registration will be kept in the pool for 12 months; and
Get an Invitation to Apply from BC if you meet all the requirements
- British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program Entrepreneur Immigration
This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province.
Individuals must have business ownership and management experience. They must demonstrate that they are able to:
Establish themselves in BC;
Invest in a new or existing business; and
Employ Canadian citizens or permanent residents to give significant economic benefits to the province
Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC
British Columbia is one of Canada’s most dynamic places to do business. Entrepreneurs benefit from its strategic location, low taxes, competitive operating costs and a multicultural workforce that is well-educated, highly-skilled and productive.
If you are an entrepreneur who is ready to invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you may be eligible.
Applications Under BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Are Assessed Based on the Following Factors:
Business and work experience
Personal net worth and source of funds
Adaptability; and
A well-detailed business proposal, which should include proposed investment and job creation in BC
Applicants will be scored out of a total of 200 points (120 points for self-declared section; 80 points for business concept) and must score a minimum of 32 points in the business concept section.
The business must include:
A short business concept and will be assigned points based on the:
Proposed commercial viability;
Transferability of the candidate’s skills; and
Economic benefits for the province
An applicant with a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000;
An applicant who can demonstrate business or management experience of at least three years in a relevant position;
An applicant who has or can apply for legal immigration status in Canada; and
An applicant who has been lawfully admitted into the country where they currently live
Once the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply, they will be required to submit a more comprehensive business plan.
Basic Investment Requirements
In order for the registration to be accepted, the candidate must demonstrate that they will:
Create a new business or improve an existing one;
Ownership percentage of at least one third;
Job creation for at least one permanent resident or Canadian citizen;
Make a personal investment of CAD$200,000 in the business
Basic Job Requirements
The candidate must demonstrate that the business will:
Create at least one permanent full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and
Provide long-term employment creation for Canadians and permanent residents
Basic Education Requirements
The candidate must have:
Obtained a post-secondary credential; or
Experience as an active business owner-manager for at least 3 of the last 5 years with 100% ownership in the business
Experience Requirements
The candidate must have:
At least 3+ years of experience as a business owner-manager; or
4+ years of experience as a senior manager; or
a combination of +1 year of experience as a business owner-manager and 2+ years of experience as a senior manager.
Language Requirements
The candidate must meet the minimum language requirement of CLB4 in English or French and provide a valid language test result.
- British Columbia Express Entry
This stream is part of the BC PNP, which is in turn part of the federal Express Entry system. It is one of the fastest ways to get permanent residence in the province.
This stream is broken into several other categories, namely the:
EE PNP Skilled Worker;
EE PNP International Graduate;
EE PNP International Post Graduate; and
EE PNP Healthcare Professional
EE PNP Skilled Worker
This category is for skilled workers who have jobs that are in high demand in the province.
To qualify for this category you must:
Have a valid job offer from a BC employer
Have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code to show you meet the minimum requirements of one of the three federal programs;
Have a full-time job offer for a permanent position that fits the National Occupational Classification, skill type 0, A or B;
Have enough funds to support you and your dependents;
Have at least two years of relevant full-time work experience;
Have a wage offer that meets BC employment requirements and meet minimum income requirements;
Have legal immigration status for the program; and
Have the necessary language skills (minimum CLB 4)
EE PNP International Graduate
This category is for international students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within the past three years.
To qualify for this category you must:
Have a valid full-time permanent job offer from a BC employer (skill level 0, A or B)
Have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code to show you meet the minimum requirements of one of the three federal programs;
Have a degree, diploma or certificate from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada;
Have enough funds to support you and your dependents;
Have a wage offer that meets BC employment requirements;
Have legal immigration status for the program; and
Have the necessary language skills (CLB 4)
EE PNP International Post-Graduate
This category was made for students looking for a career in BC in the fields of healthcare, applied sciences or technology. You can apply even if you do not have a job offer.
Who Can Apply
You must have graduated with either a Master’s or a PhD from a BC post-secondary institution within the past three years in any of the following fields:
Agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences;
Biomedical or biological sciences;
Computer or informational sciences;
Conservation and research of natural resources;
Engineering or Engineering Technology and engineering-related fields;
Healthcare or clinical sciences;
Mathematics or statistics;
Physical sciences
You will also need to prove that you intend to live and work in BC.
EE PNP Healthcare Professional
This category was made for healthcare professionals such as nurses, physicians and specialists to gain permanent residence in BC through gaining work experience in the province.
How to Qualify
To qualify for the EE PNP Healthcare Professional Program you must:
Have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code;
Have a full-time job offer (in writing) as a:
Physician:
Healthcare specialist;
Registered nurse;
Registered psychiatric nurse;
Nurse practitioner; or
Health professional like a:
Diagnostic medical sonographer;
Clinical pharmacist;
Medical laboratory technologist;
Medical radiation technologist;
Occupational therapist; or
Physiotherapist
At least two years experience in this field;
An employer who is willing to support your application;
Enough funds to support yourself and your dependents;
Meet minimum income requirements; and
Meet all the language requirements (CLB 4)
Please note that if you are a midwife, you must have:
A Letter of Confirmation from an acknowledged medical institution in BC ( be a member for at least six months)
A registered member with the College of Midwives of British Columbia
Below is the minimum income requirement for the BC PNP: Express Entry Stream.
Family Income Threshold by Area of Residence in British Columbia
Family size Greater Vancouver Regional District The Rest of BC
1 $22,804 $19,006
2 $28,390 $23,659
3 $34,902 $29,087
4 $42,376 $35,316
5 $48,062 $40,054
6 $54,205 $45,175
7 or more $60,350 $50,296
- British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program Tech Pilot
This program was created for skilled tech workers to immigrate to BC through jobs that are noted by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology as being in demand. The program aims to attract talented workers and international students by speeding up the permanent residence application.
What Jobs Can You Apply With For the BC PNP Tech Pilot?
There are currently 29 jobs that are eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot program. The program has recently been extended to June 2021 due to its phenomenal success and to ensure that companies can meet their hiring requirements for the future.
Other Changes to the Program
The program has been improved by lowering certain requirements. You do not need a full-time permanent job to qualify, only a one-year full-time job of 365 days.
Processing times can take less than two to three months to complete now. The program also has weekly draws that allow the province to choose qualified applicants.
Other Benefits of This Program
You do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment; and
You can get a work permit support letter that lets you:
Renew your work permit; or
Apply for a new work permit
The BC PNP Tech Pilot Process
Here are the basic steps you need to follow for the BC PNP Tech Pilot program. You must:
Qualify for one of the 29 jobs in this program and register online with the BC PNP;
Receive a registration score;
Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the province;
Apply within 30 days of getting your ITA and complete your online application.
Receive approval from the province and get a Nomination Certificate or Confirmation of Nomination that allows you to apply for permanent residence;
Receive a work permit support letter that either lets you:
Apply for a work permit; or
Renew your current work permit
If you would like to make British Columbia your new home, you have come to the right place. Our simple online evaluation will determine your eligibility for the British Columbia PNP and any other Canadian immigration programs. Sign up with us today to get started.