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BCPNP - British Columbia PNP - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Stream
One of the PNP streams of British Columbia that is not aligned with Express Entry
Home > Permanent Residence > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) > BCPNP - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Stream
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Overview of the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream
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The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream under British Columbia's Skills Immigration category is not aligned with Express Entry, meaning that the candidate cannot enjoy the faster processing times of Express Entry.
When receiving the provincial nomination, the candidate has to apply for permanent residence on paper to the federal government, and it usually takes at least a year for the application to be processed. |
The ELSS stream have minimum eligibility requirements, however, British Columbia does not send Invitations to Apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. In fact, BCPNP conducts periodic ELSS draws, and each draw has its own minimum threshold score (out of 200, details in section below).
More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
Eligibility Requirements
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There are 5 categories of general eligibility requirements under the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream, summarized below:
1. Job Offer
You must hold an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment from an eligible BC employer. The Job Offer must be in an eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) code TEER Category 4 or 5.
If the location of employment is inside the Northeast Development Region of BC, all occupations at TEER Category 4 or 5 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) are eligible, excluding live-in caregivers (NOC 44100).
If the location of employment is outside the Northeast Development Region of BC, eligible occupations are the following:
The wage stated on your Job Offer must be at market rate and comparable to the rate paid to workers with a similar level of experience and training for equivalent jobs in BC (bonuses, commissions, tips, housing allowance, etc. are not considered part of your wage).
Depending on the NOC code of the job offer, additional qualification requirements may apply.
2. Work Experience
You need to be employed and working full-time (at least an average of 30 hours a week, year round) with the BC employer supporting your BCPNP application in any ELSS-eligible occupation for at least 9 consecutive months immediately prior to registering to the BCPNP.
3. Education
At a minimum, you must have successfully completed secondary education (graduated from high school) either within or outside of Canada.
If the offered position requires mandatory certification, licensing or registration, you need to provide documentation showing that you meet these requirements, or how these requirements will shortly be met.
4. Language
You will need to have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 4 in English or French to be eligible.
More information about language proficiency is available in the SIRS section below.
5. Minimum income requirements
You must demonstrate that you meet minimum income requirements according to your (i) gross annual wage in the Job Offer, (ii) location of residence in BC, and (iii) number of dependants.
You can include your spouse/partner's gross annual wage if they work in BC.
Bonuses, commissions, tips, housing allowance, etc. are not included when calculating your wage.
The annual wage is calculated as: (hourly rate) x (hours worked per week (max 40h)) x (52 weeks a year).
The minimum income requirements as set by BCPNP are presented in the table below:
1. Job Offer
You must hold an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment from an eligible BC employer. The Job Offer must be in an eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) code TEER Category 4 or 5.
If the location of employment is inside the Northeast Development Region of BC, all occupations at TEER Category 4 or 5 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) are eligible, excluding live-in caregivers (NOC 44100).
If the location of employment is outside the Northeast Development Region of BC, eligible occupations are the following:
- Occupations in travel and accommodation
- NOC 64314 - Hotel front desk clerks
- Tour and recreational guides and casino occupations
- NOC 64320 - Tour and travel guides
- NOC 64322 - Outdoor sport and recreational guides
- NOC 64321 - Casino workers
- Occupations in food and beverage service
- NOC 64300 - Maîtres d’hotel and hosts/hostesses
- NOC 64301 - Bartenders
- NOC 65200 - Food and beverage servers
- NOC 65201 - Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
- Cleaners (employed directly by hotels/resorts)
- NOC 65310 - Light duty cleaners
- NOC 65311 - Specialized cleaners
- NOC 65312 - Janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners
- NOC 65210 - Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services
- Other service occupations (employed directly by hotels/resorts)
- NOC 65320 - Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
- NOC 65329 - Other service support occupations
- Food processing
- NOC 94140 - Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
- NOC 94141 - Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
- NOC 94142 - Fish and seafood plant workers
- NOC 94143 - Testers and graders, food and beverage processing
- NOC 95106 - Labourers in food and beverage processing
The wage stated on your Job Offer must be at market rate and comparable to the rate paid to workers with a similar level of experience and training for equivalent jobs in BC (bonuses, commissions, tips, housing allowance, etc. are not considered part of your wage).
Depending on the NOC code of the job offer, additional qualification requirements may apply.
2. Work Experience
You need to be employed and working full-time (at least an average of 30 hours a week, year round) with the BC employer supporting your BCPNP application in any ELSS-eligible occupation for at least 9 consecutive months immediately prior to registering to the BCPNP.
3. Education
At a minimum, you must have successfully completed secondary education (graduated from high school) either within or outside of Canada.
If the offered position requires mandatory certification, licensing or registration, you need to provide documentation showing that you meet these requirements, or how these requirements will shortly be met.
4. Language
You will need to have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 4 in English or French to be eligible.
More information about language proficiency is available in the SIRS section below.
5. Minimum income requirements
You must demonstrate that you meet minimum income requirements according to your (i) gross annual wage in the Job Offer, (ii) location of residence in BC, and (iii) number of dependants.
You can include your spouse/partner's gross annual wage if they work in BC.
Bonuses, commissions, tips, housing allowance, etc. are not included when calculating your wage.
The annual wage is calculated as: (hourly rate) x (hours worked per week (max 40h)) x (52 weeks a year).
The minimum income requirements as set by BCPNP are presented in the table below:
| # of dependants | Metro Vancouver Regional District | Rest of British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26,620 CAD | 22,186 CAD |
| 2 | 33,141 CAD | 27,619 CAD |
| 3 | 40,743 CAD | 33,954 CAD |
| 4 | 49,467 CAD | 41,226 CAD |
| 5 | 56,105 CAD | 46,757 CAD |
| 6 | 63,276 CAD | 52,735 CAD |
| 7 or more | 70,449 CAD | 58,713 CAD |
The Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)
You need to register on BCPNP Online (through the SIRS) and fill in the various forms, then you are given a score out of 200 points, that depends on two factors and five sub-factors. Below is the summary table that will let you know how the score is calculated:
| Factors | Sub-factors | Maximum Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Human Capital Factors (120 points) | (i) Directly Related Work Experience | 40 |
| (ii) Highest Level of Education | 40 | |
| (iii) Language Proficiency in English or French | 40 | |
| 2. Economic Factors (80 points) | (i) Hourly Wage of the BC Job Offer | 55 |
| (ii) Area of Employment Within BC | 25 | |
| Total | 200 |
Each sub-factor's point distribution is explained in detailed below.
1. Human Capital Factors
1.(i). Directly Related Work Experience
You can earn up to 40 points on this sub-factor if you have work experience in the same NOC code as the one related to your Job Offer, either inside or outside Canada. You may still earn these points if your work experience (i) is in an NOC code related to the one in the Job Offer, and (ii) if its NOC TEER Category is equal or above the one of the Job Offer's NOC code.
| 1.(i). Directly Related Work Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 5 or more years | 20 |
| At least 4 but less than 5 years | 16 |
| At least 3 but less than 4 years | 12 |
| At least 2 but less than 3 years | 8 |
| At least 1 but less than 2 years | 4 |
| Less than 1 year | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Additional Points | |
| At least 1 year in Canada | 10 |
| Currently working full-time in B.C. for the employer in the occupation identified in the BC PNP registration | 10 |
1.(ii). Highest Level of Education
You can earn a maximum of 40 points with your highest educational credential.
The duration of study must exceed six (6) months. Your education is not eligible for points if it is a distance education learning program.
| 1.(ii). Highest Level of Education | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 27 |
| Master’s Degree | 22 |
| Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma (after Bachelor's Degree) | 15 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 15 |
| Associate Degree | 5 |
| Post-secondary Diploma/Certificate (Trades or Non-Trades) | 5 |
| Secondary (High) school or less | 0 |
| Additional Points | |
| Post-secondary education completed in BC | 8 |
| Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside of BC) | 6 |
| Eligible professional designation in BC | 5 |
Eligible professional designations in BC
- Any Trade:
- Any valid trade certificate issued by SkilledTradesBC or Industry Training Authority British Columbia (ITABC). If you have been approved by SkilledTradesBC or by the ITABC to challenge the certification exam for your trade, you may also be eligible for additional points.
- NOC 32104 - Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians:
- Veterinary Technicians registered with British Columbia Veterinary Technologists Association
- Veterinary Technicians registered with British Columbia Veterinary Technologists Association
- NOC 33100 - Dental Assistants:
- Dental Assistants certified with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- Dental Assistants certified with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- NOC 32111 - Dental Hygienists:
- Dental Hygienists registered with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- Dental Hygienists registered with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- NOC 33100 - Dental Technicians:
- Dental Technicians registered with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- Dental Technicians registered with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- NOC 32110 - Denturists:
- Denturists certified with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- Denturists certified with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
- NOC 42202 - Early Childhood Educators (ECE):
- ECEs with a valid ECE One Year or ECE Five Year Certificate with the Early Childhood Educator Registry
- ECEs with a valid ECE One Year or ECE Five Year Certificate with the Early Childhood Educator Registry
- NOC 33102 - Health Care Aide:
- Health Care Aides registered with BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registration
- Health Care Aides registered with BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registration
- NOC 33103 - Pharmacy Technicians:
- Pharmacy Technicians registered with The College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
- Pharmacy Technicians registered with The College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
- NOC 32101 - Practical Nurses:
- Practical Nurses licenced with The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
- Practical Nurses licenced with The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives
- NOC 32200 - Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists:
- Practitioners licensed through The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC
- Practitioners licensed through The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC
1.(iii). Language Proficiency in English or French
You can earn up to 40 points depending on your language proficiency in French or English. You need to pass an approved language test, and your scores can be translated to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). Points are awarded according to the lowest CLB score obtained in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
| 1.(iii). Language Proficiency | Points |
|---|---|
| CLB9 or more | 30 |
| CLB8 | 25 |
| CLB7 | 20 |
| CLB6 | 15 |
| CLB5 | 10 |
| CLB4 | 5 |
| Below CLB4 or no test results | 0 |
| Additional points | |
| Minimum CLB4 in both English and French | 10 |
2. Economic Factors
2.(i). Hourly Wage of the BC Job Offer
The points of this sub-factor depend on the hourly wage in the Job Offer. You can claim up to 55 points.
The BCPNP does not consider bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing distributions, tips/ gratuities, overtime wages, housing allowances, room and board or other similar payments to be part of your wage.
| 2.(i). Hourly Wage of the BC Job Offer | Points |
|---|---|
| 70.00 CAD or more | 55 |
| 69.00 to $69.99 CAD | 54 |
| 68.00 to $68.99 CAD | 53 |
| 67.00 to $67.99 CAD | 52 |
| 66.00 to $66.99 CAD | 51 |
| 65.00 to $65.99 CAD | 50 |
| 64.00 to $64.99 CAD | 49 |
| 63.00 to $63.99 CAD | 48 |
| 62.00 to $62.99 CAD | 47 |
| 61.00 to $61.99 CAD | 46 |
| 60.00 to $60.99 CAD | 45 |
| 59.00 to $59.99 CAD | 44 |
| 58.00 to $58.99 CAD | 43 |
| 57.00 to $57.99 CAD | 42 |
| 56.00 to $56.99 CAD | 41 |
| 55.00 to $55.99 CAD | 40 |
| 54.00 to $54.99 CAD | 39 |
| 53.00 to $53.99 CAD | 38 |
| 52.00 to $52.99 CAD | 37 |
| 51.00 to $51.99 CAD | 36 |
| 50.00 to $50.99 CAD | 35 |
| 49.00 to $49.99 CAD | 34 |
| 48.00 to $48.99 CAD | 33 |
| 47.00 to $47.99 CAD | 32 |
| 46.00 to $46.99 CAD | 31 |
| 45.00 to $45.99 CAD | 30 |
| 44.00 to $44.99 CAD | 29 |
| 43.00 to $43.99 CAD | 28 |
| 42.00 to $42.99 CAD | 27 |
| 41.00 to $41.99 CAD | 26 |
| 40.00 to $40.99 CAD | 25 |
| 39.00 to $39.99 CAD | 24 |
| 38.00 to $38.99 CAD | 23 |
| 37.00 to $37.99 CAD | 22 |
| 36.00 to $36.99 CAD | 21 |
| 35.00 to $35.99 CAD | 20 |
| 34.00 to $34.99 CAD | 19 |
| 33.00 to $33.99 CAD | 18 |
| 32.00 to $32.99 CAD | 17 |
| 31.00 to $31.99 CAD | 16 |
| 30.00 to $30.99 CAD | 15 |
| 29.00 to $29.99 CAD | 14 |
| 28.00 to $28.99 CAD | 13 |
| 27.00 to $27.99 CAD | 12 |
| 26.00 to $26.99 CAD | 11 |
| 25.00 to $25.99 CAD | 10 |
| 24.00 to $24.99 CAD | 9 |
| 23.00 to $23.99 CAD | 8 |
| 22.00 to $22.99 CAD | 7 |
| 21.00 to $21.99 CAD | 6 |
| 20.00 to $20.99 CAD | 5 |
| 19.00 to $19.99 CAD | 4 |
| 18.00 to $18.99 CAD | 3 |
| 17.00 to $17.99 CAD | 2 |
| 16.00 to $16.99 CAD | 1 |
| 15.99 CAD or less | 0 |
2. (ii). Area of Employment within BC
This sub-factor allocates points based on the region of employment specified in the Job Offer, and additional points based on previous work experience and studies in BC. You can claim up to 25 points.
| 2.(ii). Area of Employment within BC | Points |
|---|---|
| Area 1: Metro Vancouver Regional District | 0 |
| Area 2: Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission, and Chilliwack | 5 |
| Area 3: Areas of BC not included in Area 1 or 2 | 15 |
| Additional Points | |
| Regional Experience (one year full-time paid employment outside Area 1 in the last 5 years) OR Regional Alumni (graduation from a public BC postsecondary institution located outside Area 1 attended while residing outside Area within the last 3 years) | 10 |
Application Process Summary
For a better understanding of the process, below is a list of the steps involved in obtaining Permanent Residence through the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream. Candidates must:
- Qualify for the minimum ELSS stream eligibility requirements and register a profile in BCPNP Online.
- Obtain an invitation to apply directly in their BCPNP Online profile.
- Apply to the ELSS stream within 30 days of receiving the invitation to apply, by submitting their application through BCPNP Online (filling in forms and uploading required documents).
- Apply for Permanent Residence to the federal government (IRCC) within 6 months of receiving the nomination. Candidates need to apply on paper to IRCC, and include the nomination documents received from BCPNP.
Required Supporting Documents
After receiving your invitation to apply through your BCPNP Online profile, you will have 30 calendar days to submit a full application to the BCPNP, including supporting documentation and paying the application fees.
All required documents must be uploaded on your BCPNP Online profile. Specific requirements for documents are explained in detail here.
All required documents must be uploaded on your BCPNP Online profile. Specific requirements for documents are explained in detail here.
Application Fees
The fee for this stream is set at 1,150 CAD. It can only be paid by a credit or debit card.
Application fees can only be refunded if the applicant withdraws his/her application before processing starts.
Application fees can only be refunded if the applicant withdraws his/her application before processing starts.
Processing Times
As of November 16, 2022, based on 80% of cases, the processing times for an Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream application are estimated to be around 3 months. However, some applications may need more time to be processed if more complex or necessitate more documents and/or information.
Draw History
You can check out our awesome Live PNP Monitor to see the latest news and draw history on the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream, as well as for all the other PNP streams.
Do I have to stay in the Province?
This is a tricky question and there are multiple situations that can happen. You can learn more about this subject on our dedicated article: Can I move to another province?
Does the Stream have In-Demand jobs?
Some streams target specific NOC codes, meaning that if you have experience in those in-demand jobs, you either (i) have more chances to be invited or (ii) that you can be eligible to the stream.
In the case of the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream, it is a special case:
In the case of the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream, it is a special case:
- Under BCPNP Tech, if your job offer is in one of the NOC Tech codes, your application can enjoy faster processing times.
- A list of NOC codes in certain sectors prioritized by British Columbia are targeted in the BCPNP draws for this stream.
