A broad range of skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs have been invited to submitted an application to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) in early August, following draws that took place on August 2 and August 9, respectively.
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.
The early August BC PNP activity also included a 'tech-only' draw, a new initiative started by BC last May.
Eligible individuals interested in applying for immigration to Canada through certain categories of the BC PNP, including five of the six categories through which candidates were invited in these draws, are required to enter into the Skills Immigration Registration System (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.
In addition to these SIRS-based categories, a total of 13 candidates were invited under the BC Entrepreneur immigration stream.
| Date | Category | Minimum Score Required | Number of ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
August 2, 2017 (Includes tech-only draw on August 9) | EEBC – Skilled Worker | 77 | 464 |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 75 | ||
| SI - Skilled Worker | 77 | ||
| SI – International Graduate | 75 | ||
| SI - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | 45 | ||
| Date | Category | Minimum Score Required | Number of ITAs Issued |
| August 2, 2017 | Entrepreneur Immigration | 123 | 13 |
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.
Learn more about the Entrepreneur Immigration stream.