British Columbia invited 32 Skills Immigration and Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence through its Tech Pilot on February 5.
The Tech Pilot issues weekly invitations to eligible foreign tech workers with a valid job offer in one of 29 in-demand technology occupations in the province.
Invitations went to Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates in both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams. The minimum score for Skilled Worker candidates was 85 and the minimum score for International Graduates was 95.
EEBC candidates must be registered under both the federal Express Entry system and B.C.'s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Skills Immigration candidates only need to be registered with the SIRS.
Created in 2017, the Tech Pilot addresses rising labour demands in British Columbia's tech sector that can't be met locally. Its goal is to ensure B.C.'s tech sector has access to the talent it needs to continue growing.
Tech Pilot candidates are exempt from the indeterminate, full-time job offer requirement that applies to most immigration categories under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
Tech Pilot candidates, however, must demonstrate a job offer that is at least one year in duration and has at least 120 calendar days remaining at the time they apply for a provincial nomination.
The minimum scores for each category involved in this draw were as follows:
| Date | Category | Minimum Score Required | Number of ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
February 5, 2019 | EEBC – Skilled Worker | 85 | 32 |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 95 | ||
| SI - Skilled Worker | 85 | ||
| SI – International Graduate | 95 |
Use the CanadaVisa Skills Immigration Registration System Calculator to determine how many points you may be awarded under the BC PNP If you are interested in immigrating to Canada through the BC PNP.
For more information on the eligibility criteria for the BC PNP’s various streams, please visit our dedicated BC PNP page.