Just For Canada
  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouvert Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
      • Numéro d'Assurance Sociale (NAS)
      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
      • Guide du Système Bancaire Canadien
      • Guide d'Hébergement
      • Guide des Opérateurs Téléphoniques Canadiens
      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
Picture
Version Française

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.

1. Overview of the BCPNP stream

2. Eligibility requirements

3. Application process summary

4. Required supporting documents

5. ​Application fees

6. ​Processing times

7. Draw history

8. Do I have to stay in the province?

9. Does the stream have in-demand jobs?

Overview of the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream

Photo of Vancouver morning in British Columbia
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.

Eligibility Requirements

Click here to edit.
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:
  • ​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 dependantsMetro Vancouver Regional DistrictRest of British Columbia
126,620 CAD22,186 CAD
233,141 CAD27,619 CAD
340,743 CAD33,954 CAD
449,467 CAD41,226 CAD
556,105 CAD46,757 CAD
663,276 CAD52,735 CAD
7 or more70,449 CAD58,713 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:
FactorsSub-factorsMaximum Points
1. Human Capital Factors
(120 points)
(i) Directly Related Work Experience40
(ii) Highest Level of Education40
(iii) Language Proficiency in English or French40
2. Economic Factors
(80 points)
(i) Hourly Wage of the BC Job Offer55
(ii) Area of Employment Within BC25
Total200

​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 ExperiencePoints
5 or more years20
At least 4 but less than 5 years16
At least 3 but less than 4 years12
At least 2 but less than 3 years8
At least 1 but less than 2 years4
Less than 1 year1
None 0
Additional Points
At least 1 year in Canada10
Currently working full-time in B.C. for the employer in the occupation identified in the BC PNP registration10

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 EducationPoints
Doctoral Degree27
Master’s Degree22
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma (after Bachelor's Degree)15
Bachelor’s Degree15
Associate Degree5
Post-secondary Diploma/Certificate (Trades or Non-Trades)5
Secondary (High) school or less 0
Additional Points
Post-secondary education completed in BC8
Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside of BC)6
Eligible professional designation in BC5
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
  • NOC 33100 - Dental Assistants: 
    • ​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
  • NOC 33100 - Dental Technicians: 
    • ​Dental Technicians registered with British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals
  • NOC 32110 - Denturists: 
    • ​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
  • NOC 33102 - Health Care Aide: 
    • ​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
  • NOC 32101 - Practical Nurses: 
    • ​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

​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 ProficiencyPoints
CLB9 or more30
CLB825
CLB720
CLB615
CLB510
CLB45
Below CLB4 or no test results0
Additional points
Minimum CLB4 in both English and French10

​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 OfferPoints
70.00 CAD or more55
69.00 to $69.99 CAD54
68.00 to $68.99 CAD53
67.00 to $67.99 CAD52
66.00 to $66.99 CAD51
65.00 to $65.99 CAD50
64.00 to $64.99 CAD49
63.00 to $63.99 CAD48
62.00 to $62.99 CAD47
61.00 to $61.99 CAD46
60.00 to $60.99 CAD45
59.00 to $59.99 CAD44
58.00 to $58.99 CAD43
57.00 to $57.99 CAD42
56.00 to $56.99 CAD41
55.00 to $55.99 CAD40
54.00 to $54.99 CAD39
53.00 to $53.99 CAD38
52.00 to $52.99 CAD37
51.00 to $51.99 CAD36
50.00 to $50.99 CAD35
49.00 to $49.99 CAD34
48.00 to $48.99 CAD33
47.00 to $47.99 CAD32
46.00 to $46.99 CAD31
45.00 to $45.99 CAD30
44.00 to $44.99 CAD29
43.00 to $43.99 CAD28
42.00 to $42.99 CAD27
41.00 to $41.99 CAD26
40.00 to $40.99 CAD25
39.00 to $39.99 CAD24
38.00 to $38.99 CAD23
37.00 to $37.99 CAD22
36.00 to $36.99 CAD21
35.00 to $35.99 CAD20
34.00 to $34.99 CAD19
33.00 to $33.99 CAD18
32.00 to $32.99 CAD17
31.00 to $31.99 CAD16
30.00 to $30.99 CAD15
29.00 to $29.99 CAD14
28.00 to $28.99 CAD13
27.00 to $27.99 CAD12
26.00 to $26.99 CAD11
25.00 to $25.99 CAD10
24.00 to $24.99 CAD9
23.00 to $23.99 CAD8
22.00 to $22.99 CAD7
21.00 to $21.99 CAD6
20.00 to $20.99 CAD5
19.00 to $19.99 CAD4
18.00 to $18.99 CAD3
17.00 to $17.99 CAD2
16.00 to $16.99 CAD1
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 BCPoints
Area 1: Metro Vancouver Regional District0
Area 2: Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission, and Chilliwack5
Area 3: Areas of BC not included in Area 1 or 215
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:
  1. Qualify for the minimum ELSS stream eligibility requirements and register a profile in BCPNP Online.
  2. Obtain an invitation to apply directly in their BCPNP Online profile.
  3. 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).
  4. ​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.

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. 

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:
  • 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. 
You can find out about the Tech NOC codes and the provinces' targeted jobs in our in-demand NOC codes article.
What's next?
Boy looking at stairs as guide to Express Entry
Check our Ultimate Express Entry Guide for each step of the process!
Map of Canada with Provincial Nominee Programs PNP
Check our Live PNP Monitor to find out which PNPs are open!
Facebook Like Just For Canada
Like us on Facebook for more awesome guides and content!

    Picture

    Sign up for the Just For Canada Newsletter !

Subscribe to Newsletter
    Picture

    Abonnez-vous à la Newsletter Just For Canada !

Abonnez-vous à la Newsletter

Phone with facebook app on and social media in scrabble letters
Join our Facebook Support Group!
Get personalized help from our admins and other members
Phone with facebook app on and social media in scrabble letters
Rejoignez notre Groupe Facebook!
Obtenez de l’aide personnalisée de nos membres et admins !

Logo Just For Canada
Follow us !
Suivez-nous !
About us | Contact us | Sitemap
FAQ | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
A Propos | Contact | Plan du Site
FAQ | Conditions | Confidentialité
Just For Canada © 2023
  • Home
  • Accueil
  • Services
    • Order GCMS Notes
  • Services
    • Commander Notes GCMS
  • Work
    • Permanent Residence >
      • Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide
      • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
      • Family Sponsorship
      • Atlantic Immigration Program
      • Start-up Visa Program
      • Self-Employed Persons Program
    • Temporary Work Permits >
      • Work Permit Application
      • International Experience Canada (IEC)
      • Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)
      • Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP)
      • Free Trade Agreement Business People
  • Travailler
    • Résidence Permanente >
      • Entrée Express : Le Guide Ultime
      • Programme des Candidats des Provinces (PCP)
      • Parrainage Familial
      • Programme d’Immigration au Canada Atlantique
      • Visa pour Démarrage d'Entreprise
      • Programme des Travailleurs Autonomes
    • Permis de Travail Temporaires >
      • Demande d'un Permis de Travail
      • Expérience Internationale Canada (EIC)
      • Permis de Travail Ouvert Transitoire (PTOT)
      • Programme des Travailleurs Agricoles Saisonniers (PTAS)
      • Gens d'Affaires des Accords de Libre-Echange
  • Study
    • Study Permit
    • Student Direct Stream (SDS)
    • Working with a Study Permit
    • Studying in Quebec
    • Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
    • Work as a co-op Student or Intern
    • Extend your Study Permit
  • Etudier
    • Permis d'Etudes
    • Volet Direct pour les Etudes (VDE)
    • Travailler avec un Permis d'Etudes
    • Etudier au Québec
    • Permis de Travail Post-Diplôme (PTPD)
    • Travailler en tant que Stagiaire
    • Proroger votre Permis d'Etudes
  • Visit
    • Do you need a visitor visa?
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor)
    • Super Visa
  • Visiter
    • Avez-vous besoin d'un visa?
    • Autorisation de Voyage Electronique (AVE)
    • Visa de Résident Temporaire (Visiteur)
    • Super Visa
  • Prepare
    • Major Canadian Cities Guide >
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Canadian Education System
    • Canadian Healthcare System
    • Transportation Guide
    • Pre-Arrival To-Do List
    • Money Transfer Guide
    • Bringing your cat, dog, or other pets
  • Préparer
    • Guide des Principales Villes Canadiennes >
      • Montréal
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Vancouver
      • Calgary
      • Edmonton
    • Système Educatif Canadien
    • Système de Santé Canadien
    • Guide des Moyens de Transport
    • Liste "A ne pas Oublier" avant votre Départ
    • Guide du Transfert d'Argent
    • Amener votre chat, chien ou autres animaux
  • Living
    • Your First Week >
      • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
      • Permanent Resident (PR) Card
      • Provincial Health Insurance Card
      • Canadian Banking Guide
      • Accommodation Guide
      • Cell Phone Carriers Guide
      • Understanding Sales Taxes in each Province and Territory
    • How to get a Driver's Licence
    • Income Tax Returns Filings
    • Free & Cheap Things To Do in ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto
  • S'établir
    • Votre Première Semaine >
      • Numéro d'Assurance Sociale (NAS)
      • Carte de Résident Permanent (RP) Canadienne
      • Carte d'Assurance Maladie Provinciale
      • Guide du Système Bancaire Canadien
      • Guide d'Hébergement
      • Guide des Opérateurs Téléphoniques Canadiens
      • Comprendre les Taxes de Vente dans chaque Province et Territoire
    • Obtenir un Permis de Conduire
    • Déclaration de revenus
    • Activités Gratuites à Faire à ... >
      • Vancouver
      • Montreal
      • Toronto