the CanadaVisa Team - 21 September, 2017
The number of points required in order for eligible workers and international graduates to be invited to apply for provincial nomination under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has reached record new lows across multiple categories, following the latest draws that took place on September 13 and September 20.
A total of 378 invitations to apply to the BC PNP were issued over this period, including a number issued under the program's new Tech Pilot.
These BC PNP categories are managed under the BC's unique Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Under the SIRS, eligible candidates are required to register an account, whereupon they are assigned a score based on their economic and human capital credentials. The highest-ranked candidates are then invited to apply when BC conducts one of its periodic draws.
All BC PNP categories managed under the SIRS require candidates to have a job offer from an employer in BC.
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 aligned 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
September 13, 2017 (Includes tech-only draw on September 20) | EEBC – Skilled Worker | 73 | 378 |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 67 | ||
| SI - Skilled Worker | 73 | ||
| SI – International Graduate | 67 | ||
| SI - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | 40 |
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.
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 aligned with the federal Express Entry system.
Learn more about the Express Entry BC – International Graduate category.
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.
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.
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.
