the CanadaVisa Team - 10 July, 2015
The government of British Columbia has announced the immediate launch of an Express Entry stream under its Provincial Nominee Program , known as Express Entry British Columbia. This new stream aligns with Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) Express Entry immigration selection system , which came into operation on January 1, 2015. The British Columbia Express Entry stream allows eligible applicants to receive priority processing of both their B.C. PNP application, and if nominated, their permanent residence application.
Potential candidates will have to meet minimum provincial eligibility criteria for one of British Columbia’s three immigration categories:
In addition, candidates must also be eligible for one of the federal economic immigration programs:
These federal categories include meeting a mandatory language proficiency level, demonstrating sufficient funds to support the applicant and their family on arrival in Canada, and may also include an independent educational credential assessment for equivalency with Canadian standards.
“Our priority is to have British Columbians first in line for jobs, however we know that economic immigration will play a key role in meeting the labour demands of a growing economy,” says Shirley Bond, Provincial Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.
“Express Entry British Columbia will provide a more streamlined process and another pathway to permanency for skilled workers from around the world who wish to make B.C. their home.”
Express Entry British Columbia aims to have faster processing times for skilled workers to gain permanent residence in B.C. and give employers a key role in selecting skilled immigrants. The province will nominate up to 1,350 skilled applicants this year under its Express Entry stream.
