The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) targets individuals who meet the province’s labour market needs and who intend to settle permanently in British Columbia. 

The BC PNP accepts skilled worker applications under two pathways: Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC, each with their own sub-streams.

The Skills Immigration (SI) category targets skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in BC and is further divided into five components:

· Skilled Workers

· Healthcare Professionals

· International Graduates

· International Post-Graduates

· Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Workers

BC PNP Draws

The BC PNP issues periodic Invitations to Apply (ITA) for nomination to highest-ranked candidates in three of the program’s streams: skilled workers, international graduates and entry-level and semi-skilled workers.

The details and methodology used for each search are published after the draws are done.

General requirements

A successful candidate under Skills Immigration stream must meet all program requirements at the time of registration and, if applicable when applying for nomination. 

Unless otherwise noted in the specific requirements of each category, the following conditions are required for all candidates under Skills Immigration:

· A full-time, indeterminate job offer from a BC employer in a skilled occupation (NOC skill type 0 and skill level A or B), accepted by the prospective candidate.

· The candidate must have the qualifications and experience required to perform the job offered.

· Only legally acquired work experience will be considered.

· The wage offered must be comparable to what is being paid in BC for the occupation.

· Where the job offered is classified under skill level B, C or D, the candidate must demonstrate language proficiency CLB/NCLC 4 in English and French in all four language abilities.

· Where the job offered is classified under skill type 0 or skill level A, valid test results are not required at the time of registration unless points are claimed for language; however, BCPNP may request test results at any time during the application process.

· Meet the minimum income requirements according to the residence located in BC and the number of dependants.

· Not have more than 10% equity in the BC company offering employment, in the five years preceding the application and throughout the application process.

· BCPNP must determine there is a positive employment demand and/or outlook for the particular occupation.

· Demonstrate the ability and intention to settle in BC

· Submit a complete application and pay the $700 application fee.

General Requirements for Employers

· Be established as an employer in good standing in BC

· Provide full-time, indeterminate (permanent or with no set end date) employment to the applicant.

· Have a history of good workplace and business practices.

· Sign an employer declaration.

· Meet domestic labour market recruitment requirements, where applicable.

Skilled Workers – Specific Eligibility Requirements

This stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for workers in professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupations.

In order to qualify for this category, in addition to the general requirements, an interested candidate must also:

· Have at least two years of full-time work experience directly related to the job offered.

· Hold an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment from an eligible BC employer at suitable wages.

Healthcare Professionals – Specific Eligibility Requirements

Applicants in this category can be nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, physicians or allied health professionals, recruited by provincial and regional health authorities administered through Health Match BC (a recruitment service funded by the provincial government).

In order to qualify for this category, in addition to the general requirements, an interested candidate must:

· Hold a full-time and indeterminate job offer from one of BC’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority as a physician, specialist physician, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, nurse practitioner or an allied health professional (diagnostic medical sonographer, clinical pharmacist, medical laboratory technologist, medical radiation technologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist).

· A midwife must have a letter of confirmation from an established practice group in B.C. confirming the acceptance into the group as an affiliated midwife for at least six months.

· Minimum of two years of full-time experience directly related to the job offered.

International Graduates – Specific Eligibility Requirements

This category is directed at foreign nationals who have graduated from Canadian post-secondary institutions, in the three years prior to the application.

In order to qualify for this category, in addition to the general requirements, an interested candidate must:

· Hold an eligible degree or diploma from a Canadian post-secondary institution following a program of at least 12 months of full-time studies within the three years preceding application.

· Accept an indeterminate full-time job offer from a BC Employer for occupation under NOC Skill Levels 0, A, or B that typically requires a university or college education.

International Post-Graduates – Specific Eligibility Requirements

This program allows qualified graduates of a BC post-secondary institution to settle in the province. No job offer is required to apply in this category. 

In order to qualify for this category, in addition to the general requirements, an interested candidate must:

· Hold an eligible Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in BC in a designated field of study of natural, applied or health sciences, within the three years preceding their application:

o Agriculture

o Biological and biomedical sciences

o Computer and information sciences and support services

o Engineering

o Engineering technology

o Health professions and related clinical sciences

o Mathematics and statistics

o Natural resources conservation and research

o Physical sciences 

Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Workers – Specific Eligibility Requirements

This category targets temporary foreign workers working in BC in an eligible occupation within the hospitality/tourism services, long-haul trucking and food processing.

For the Northeast Development Region of the province, any NOC level C or D occupation is accepted.

In order to qualify for this category, in addition to the general requirements, an interested candidate must:

· Hold a full-time, indeterminate job offer in an eligible occupation.

· Employed full time by the BC employer making the offer for at least 9 consecutive months, in an eligible occupation.

· Completed 12 years of formal education.

· Meet all regulatory or licensing requirements for the position offered.

· Demonstrate basic language proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages.

Skills Immigration Application process

Step 1. Registration

The BC PNP operates a Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) for its immigration program. It is a dynamic intake management system that allows BC to prioritize high-impact candidates.

Interested candidates must register a free expression of interest via BCPNP Online system.

Two streams do not need registration, interested candidates may apply for nomination directly to BCPNP Online: Healthcare Professionals and International Post Graduates.

Step 2. Invitation to apply

SIRS operates under a points-based system which gives candidates a registration score that determines whether they may be invited to apply. The score is based on a number of factors — such as level of education, years of direct work experience and a BC employment offer — that reflect an individual’s ability to succeed in the labour market and contribute to the provincial economy.

Highest-scoring profiles receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for a provincial nomination.

Step 3. Application

After receiving an ITA, the candidate must submit a complete application through the BCPNP Online within 30 days and pay the $700 application fee.

Step 4. Nomination

Approved candidates receive a nomination certificate enabling them to apply for permanent residence to the federal government.

In order to work in BC while a PR application is in progress, an interested candidate may request a support letter from BC PNP

Step 5. IRCC application

Following health, criminality and security checks, the approved candidates receive a permanent resident visa.