British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

The BC PNP is an economic immigration program governed by the BC government’s immigration department. This program helps the province to pick and nominate foreign workers, international students, and entrepreneurs to migrate to BC and help the provincial government to meet its labor market needs, contribute to the government priorities, and take part in the growth of BC’s economy.

The BC PNP is operated by the provincial government in association with the federal immigration department – IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)

There is a 2-stage process in British Columbia immigration

1. Apply for nomination to the provincial government
2. In the wake of your nomination, apply for Permanent Residence in the federal government.

The three major categories in which BC PNP accepts applications are:

• Skills Immigration,
• Express Entry BC
• Entrepreneur Immigration

Skills Immigration

This category aims at bringing in skilled and semi-skilled workers that are in high demand and is further split up into 5 components:

1. Skilled Worker

• The Skilled Workers category focuses on applicants who have:
• an experience of working with the same designation for at least 2 years.
• A job offer in BC under NOC TEER 0, 1. 2, or 3 with no LMIA.
• The ability to manage minimum income requirements.
• If your job comes under NOC TEER 2 or 3, you should have a minimum of CLB 4 as a valid language test.

2. Health Authority

Health Authority picks applicants who:

• Can meet minimum income requirements.
• Has been offered a job as a physician, nurse, or any other health professional that also involves a pharmacist, physiotherapist, sonographer, or lab technician with a public health authority.
• Has at least two years of experience in the same field.

3.International Graduate

This category follows certain criteria by assessing the applicants under the following points:

• You should have graduated from a public college or a Canadian University in the past 3 years under a program with a minimum time period of 8 months.
• If your job offer comes under NOC TEER 2 or 3, you are required to have a minimum of CLB 4 on all language test results.
• Your job offer in BC should require a post-secondary education candidate with no LMIA required.

4. International Post-Graduate

The International Post-Graduate category picks candidates under simple criteria:

• You will not need a job offer.
• No minimum income requirements are to be met.
• You should have pursued a Master’s degree in health sciences or Ph.D. in any field of study in the past 3 years from a BC university.

5. Entry Level And Semi-Skilled

An Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category expects the following eligibility in a candidate:

• You should have pursued an education that is corresponding to a Canadian high school diploma.
• Your CLB score should be at least 4 on a valid language test.
• You should have been offered a job by an eligible BC employer.
• You should be working on a full-time basis for at least 9 months before applying for an entry-level and semi-skilled category.

Express Entry BC

The Express Entry BC program has ties with the IRCC ‘s Express Entry. Through periodic Express Entry draws the province will nominate qualified candidates for Canada PR under the federal Express Entry immigration system. But this program necessitates a job offer from a legitimate employer in British Columbia.

If you’re planning to apply for Permanent Residence through Express Entry BC, you should:

• Submit an Express Entry profile.
• Be given a job offer in BC.
• Create a profile online and register for the program at BC PNP.
• Receive an invitation to apply on the basis of your score with BC PNP.
• Receive a BC Provincial Nomination Certificate.
• Apply for Express Entry as a provincial nominee.

When you’re applying for Express Entry BC, you should keep in mind that you should:

• Be highly skilled to manage duties delegated to you by the company you’ve been offered.
• Contain minimum income requirements on the basis of your family’s size.
• Acquire minimum language proficiency.

The Express Entry BC consists of 4 streams:

Skilled Worker

To apply through the Skilled Worker stream you should have:

• Experience working with a minimum time period of 2 years.
• A job offer in BC under NOC TEER 0, 1. 2, or 3 with no LMIA.

Health Authority

When it comes to Health Authority you should come under the following criteria:

• Your job offer in BC should be on the basis of health professionals such as lab technicians, sonographers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, midwives, or occupational therapists.
• Your work experience should be relevant with a minimum time period of 2 years.
• There is no invitation required to apply directly to BC PNP.

International Graduate

International Graduate follows two main criteria, which is:

• You should have graduated either from a Canadian college or university within 3 years.
• Your job offer in BC should come under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.

International Post-Graduate

The International Post-Graduate category contains the following criteria:

• You can directly apply to the BC PNP without any invitation.
• You should have pursued a Master’s degree in natural, applied, or health sciences or a Doctorate in any field from a BC university within 3 years.
• You will not require a job offer.

Entrepreneur Immigration

This program targets aspirants with high net worth who are capable of investing and running a business in BC and eventually becoming permanent residents in the province. This program contains 3 streams.

Entrepreneur Stream

To apply for the Entrepreneur stream, you need to register at the BC points-based selection system and receive an invitation to apply. The criteria that you need to know before you apply under the Entrepreneur stream are listed down for you:

• You should at least have 3+ years of experience as an owner or an operator of an active business.
• Your personal net worth should be CAD $600,000.
• You should have scored CLB 4 as a minimum on a valid language test.
• You should have pursued a post-secondary credential or have a minimum of 3 years of experience as an active business owner.
• You should start a new business or take over an existing business while living in BC.
• Offer at least one new full-time job for a Canadian resident.
• Invest at least CAD $200,000 in your business.

Entrepreneur – Regional Pilot

The requirements of a Regional Pilot are similar to the Entrepreneur stream. They are:

• Your personal net worth should be CAD $300,000.
• You should at least have 3+ years of experience as an owner or an operator of an active business.
• You should have pursued a post-secondary credential or have a minimum of 3 years of experience as an active business owner.
• You should have scored CLB 4 as a minimum in English or French on a valid language test.
• Offer at least one new full-time job for a Canadian resident.
• Take at least 51% of ownership in the business.
• Invest at least CAD $100,000 in your business.

Strategic Projects

This stream is for individuals who are planning to initiate a subsidiary or branch office in B.C. which relates to their core business. It also allows the corporation to get permanent residence for its staff members.

Your company should come under the following criteria before applying for this stream:

• Your company must be full-fledged and have a good financial backup.
• Illustrate the financial readiness and the amplitude for international growth in business in B.C.
• The company’s staff should have the necessary experience based on their job role in your business.
• The staff will be paid a wage equivalent to their expertise and be accordant with the company’s standard.
• They should be delegated to an executive, a senior executive, or an expert in B.C.

What is BC PNP Tech-Pilot?

BC PNP tech pilot is a program to speed up the immigration process of candidates who are in high demand for technology occupations.The BC technology sector has 35 eligible occupations and based on the work experience in these 35 occupations, the candidates are issued invitations through weekly draws.

Applications from the technology sector are given priority under the BC PNP Tech Pilot’s existing BC immigration streams. However, the candidates are obliged to meet the basic requirements of any BC immigration stream or category, including the minimum one-year job offer from a legitimate BC employer.

Skilled Workers, International Graduates, Healthcare Professionals, International Post-Graduates, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Workers all fall under the eligible categories.

While the application process might sound complex, CanApprove with its resolute experts makes sure you get the right guidance during your application process. Right from filling out your application till you settle at your destination, we will be at your service. If you’re looking for assistance or want to know more about BC PNP, connect with us. We’d love to hear from you!