The trend of low points thresholds in immigration draws conducted by the government of British Columbia remains consistent, as more workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs received an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) following the latest draws that took place on September 27 and October 4.
A total of 377 invitations to apply to the BC PNP were issued over this period, including canidates invited under the program's recent Tech Pilot.
Many BC PNP categories are managed under BC's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). In order to apply through the SIRS, eligible candidates are required to register an account, whereupon they are assigned a score based on their economic and human capital credentials. Candidates with the highest scores are then invited to apply when the government of BC conducts one of its periodic draws.
All BC PNP categories managed under the SIRS requires candidates to have a job offer from an employer in BC.
Candidates invited through an Express Entry- ed sub-category are now in a position to apply for and receive an enhanced BC PNP nomination certificate. A successful nomination results in applicants receiving 600 additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and an Invitation To Apply (ITA) at a subsequent draw from the federal Express Entry pool.
It is important to note that an invitation to apply under the BC PNP is not the same as the ITA issued at the federal Express Entry level.
The remaining skilled worker, graduate, and entrepreneur invitees will have their applications for permanent residence processed outside Express Entry after they receive a nomination from BC.
Eligible individuals interested in applying for immigration to Canada through certain categories of the BC PNP are required to enter into the SIRS pool. Once in this pool, candidates are assigned a points score based on civil status, education, work experience, and other factors.
| Date | Category | Minimum Score Required | Number of ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
September 27, 2017 (Includes tech-only draw on October 4) | EEBC – Skilled Worker | 73 | 377 |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 67 | ||
| SI - Skilled Worker | 73 | ||
| SI – International Graduate | 67 | ||
| SI - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | 40 | ||
| September 27, 2017 | Entrepreneur Immigration | 119 | 12 |
Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker
The Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker category is for international skilled workers who have post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupation. Candidates must be eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool. A successful application under this category results in the candidate receiving 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and a subsequent ITA at the federal level.
Learn more about the Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker category.
Express Entry BC – International Graduate
International graduates who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within the past two years may be eligible to apply under the Express Entry BC – International Graduate category. Interestingly, this category is open to eligible graduates who graduated from a university or college in any location in Canada; it is not restricted to graduates from BC universities and colleges. This category is also ed with the federal Express Entry system.
Learn more about the Express Entry BC – International Graduate category.
Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker
This base category is open to workers with post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a skilled occupation. A job offer is required.
Learn more about the Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker category.
Skills Immigration – International Graduate
This category is for international students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within two years of applying to the BC PNP. While applicants do not necessarily need prior work experience, applicants are required to obtain a job offer from a B.C. employer.
Learn more about the Skills Immigration – International Graduate category.
Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
This category is open to candidates who may not be eligible for other Canadian immigration programs, as it allows certain non-skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. Candidates must work in an eligible occupation within the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food processing industries, or in a NOC skill level C or D occupation in the Northeast Development Region of the province.
Learn more about the Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category.
Entrepreneur Immigration
This stream provides a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for experienced business people who can establish themselves in BC and invest in and operate a commercially viable business that can provide significant benefits to the provincial economy. Successful applicants will obtain a work permit and, if the business operation in BC fulfills the requirements of the stream on an ongoing basis, they will be able to apply for permanent residence in Canada through the BC PNP.