The number of points required by candidates to apply for a provincial nomination under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has decreased across all categories managed under BC's unique Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
In total, 446 foreign workers and international graduates were invited to apply to the BC PNP in draws that occurred on August 16 and August 23, the latter draw being a tech-only draw — a recent initiative from the BC provincial immigration authorities that began in May.
A portion of the invited candidates are now in a position to submit their BC PNP provincial nomination application through one of the enhanced sub-categories ed with the federal Express Entry selection system. If and when these candidates receive a BC PNP nomination certificate, they will receive 600 additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and an Invitation To Apply (ITA) at a subsequent draw from the pool. It should be noted that the ITA with respect to the BC PNP is not the same as the ITA issued at the federal Express Entry level.
The remaining skilled worker and graduates 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. Candidates are assigned a points score upon entry into the pool. This score is based on civil status, education, work experience, and other factors. The highest-ranking candidates in the SIRS pool are issued ITAs in periodic draws conducted by the government of BC.
| Date | Category | Minimum Score Required | Number of ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
August 16, 2017 (Includes tech-only draw on August 23) | EEBC – Skilled Worker | 74 | 446 |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 70 | ||
| SI - Skilled Worker | 74 | ||
| SI – International Graduate | 70 | ||
| SI - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | 40 |
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.