British Columbia Immigration

 

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province, defined by the Pacific coastline and mountain ranges, and home of Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver. The province’s economy is diverse and relies on a strong natural resources sector, with a focus on forestry and mining. British Columbia’s culture combines a unique mix of European, Asian, and First Nations influences, and its eight regions each provide dynamic and diverse features.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) aims to accelerate the process for those wishing to obtain Canadian permanent resident status and who intend to settle permanently in British Columbia.

The program is operated by the British Columbia government in partnership with the federal immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Interested candidates must follow a two-stage process: apply for nomination to the provincial government, and then, if nominated, apply for permanent residence to the federal government.

IRCC allocates to BC PNP a limited number of nominations each year.

 

BC PNP Streams

The BCPNP accepts applications under three major categories: Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC, Entrepreneur Immigration. each with their own streams.

 

SKILLS IMMIGRATION STREAMS

The Skills Immigration (SI) category targets skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in BC and is further divided into five components: Skilled Workers Health Authority, International Graduates, International Post-Graduates, Entry-level and semi-skilled workers Skilled workers

 

EMPLOYER JOB OFFER CATEGORY

The Express Entry streams, through periodic draws, enable the province to nominate qualified candidates for admission to Canada under the federal Express Entry immigration system:

Skilled workers, Health Authority, International Graduates, International Post-Graduates

 

ENTREPRENEUR IMMIGRATION

The Entrepreneur category is aimed at high-net-worth individuals who wish to invest and operate a business in British Columbia and eventually settle in the province.
Entrepreneur Stream, Entrepreneur – Regional Pilot, Strategic Projects.

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BC PNP Tech

BC PNP Tech allows British Columbia immigration officials to expedite the processing of immigration candidates for in-demand technology occupations.

Through weekly draws, invitations are issued to candidates with work experience in one of 35 eligible occupations in the BC technology sector.

BC PNP Tech prioritizes technology sector applications under existing BC immigration streams. Candidates must still meet the basic requirements of an applicable British Columbia immigration category or stream, including a minimum one-year job offer from a B.C. employer.

Eligible categories: Skilled Workers, Healthcare Professionals, International Graduates, International Post-Graduates and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Workers.

 

Targeted occupations

The BC PNP publishes a list of high demand occupations that it features in periodic targeted draws.

1.  Aerospace Engineers
2.  Civil Engineers
3.  Computer and Information Systems Managers
4.  Construction Managers
5.  Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
6.  Financial Managers
7.  Graphic Designers and Illustrators
8.  Human Resources Managers
9.  Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers
10.  Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
11.  Database Analysts and Data Administrators
12.  Software Engineers and Designers
13.  Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries
14.  Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
15.  Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers

 

BC PNP Draws

The BC PNP issues periodic Invitations to Apply to candidates for nomination under one of BC PNP’s eligible streams:

• Skills Immigration: Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

• Express Entry BC: Skilled Worker, International Graduate

• Entrepreneur Immigration