British Columbia is one of Canada’s fastest growing provinces with cities such Vancouver and Victoria. Job opportunities in British Columbia are an attractive option for many foreign workers seeking stable, long term employment. British Columbia boasts ample natural resources and opportunities in resource centric careers.
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a way for high-demand foreign workers to gain permanent residency and immigrate directly to British Columbia.
British Columbia PNP Streams Foreign Workers
- Express Entry BC
- Skills Immigration
- BC PNP Tech Pilot
- The Express Entry BC
The Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a faster way for eligible skilled workers in the federal Express Entry system to obtain permanent resident status in Canada.
Candidates do not require having work experience in B.C. However, they must have a job offer from a BC employer that cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The exception been given to applicants applying under the International Postgraduate category.
| Category | Job offer | Basic criteria |
| Skilled worker | required | Job offer in a skilled position |
| International Graduate | required | Job offer in a skilled position; studied at post-secondary level in Canada |
| International Post-Graduate | Not required | Graduated Master’s/PhD program from an institution located within British Columbia in natural, applied or health sciences |
| Health care professional | required | Job offer in a listed health occupation |
Successful applicants to the Express Entry BC category obtain a BC PNP provincial nomination certificate which offers them 600 additional points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent Express Entry draw from the pool.
- BC PNP Skills Immigration
The Skills Immigration stream of the BC PNP is for people with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by B.C. employers. It uses a points-based invitation system that allows a broad range of workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs to settle in British Columbia permanently.
| Category | Job offer | Basic criteria |
| Skilled worker | Required | Job offer in a skilled position |
| International Graduate | Required | Job offer in a skilled position; studied at post-secondary level in Canada |
| International Post-Graduate | Not Required | Graduated Master’s/PhD program from an institution located within British Columbia in natural, applied or health sciences |
| Health care professional | Required | Job offer in a listed health occupation |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | Required | Job offer in tourism/hospitality, trucking, or food processing industry |
- BC PNP Tech Pilot
Introduced in 2017, the BC PNP pilot offers a fast-track pathway to Canadian permanent residence for certain foreign tech and IT workers.
The draws have been conducted almost every week in order to minimize the wait for workers and their employers, who both have to meet program eligibility requirements.
B.C. prioritizes applications for the Tech Pilot. Once employees submit a complete application, their file will be assigned to a dedicated Tech Pilot processing team within the next business day. BC PNP usually processes Tech Pilot applications faster than other immigration programs, most of which take minimum 2-3 months.
HOW TO APPLY FOR BC PNP TECH PILOT
In order to apply through the Tech Pilot, immigration candidates need to have a job offer in one of 29 eligible occupations in the province. The job offer must be valid for a minimum of one year with at least 120 days remaining at the time of submitting the application.
The eligible candidates need to first create a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and register under its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). They must choose to apply through the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC immigration categories.
The BC PNP will then invite candidates who fulfill the minimum score requirements to apply for a provincial nomination through regular draws.
Invited candidates will then have 30 calendar days to submit their complete application for provincial nomination to BC PNP.
Those candidates, whose applications get approved, can then submit their Canadian permanent residence application with the federal government.
Nominees will receive a work permit support letter that will enable them to work until their immigration application gets processed.
List of 29 Eligible Occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot
NOC Job Title
- 0131 Telecommunication carriers managers
- 0213 Computer and information systems managers
- 0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- 2131 Civil engineers
- 2132 Mechanical engineers
- 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 2134 Chemical engineers
- 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
- 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
- 2173 Software engineers and designers
- 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- 2175 Web designers and developers
- 2221 Biological technologists and technicians
- 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
- 2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- 2281 Computer network technicians
- 2282 User support technicians
- 2283 Information systems testing technicians
- 5121 Authors and writers
- 5122 Editors
- 5125 Translators, terminologists and interpreters
- 5224 Broadcast technicians
- 5225 Audio and video recording technicians
- 5226 Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- 5227 Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
- 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
- 6221 Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade