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British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
Check our table summary of all BC PNP streams, with their main criteria, their applicant fees, etc.
Home > Work in Canada > Permanent Residency > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > British Columbia PNP (BC PNP)
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program through which a broad range of workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs can settle in British Columbia permanently.
The BC PNP is one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). It is one of the most varied of all the PNPs, with two categories for workers and international graduates: Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration, and an additional one for entrepreneurs.
The BC PNP is one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). It is one of the most varied of all the PNPs, with two categories for workers and international graduates: Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration, and an additional one for entrepreneurs.
Choosing British Columbia Immigration
The British Columbia province, located at the west of Canada, is home to one the largest and enjoyable cities in Canada, Vancouver. Being the third most populated province, after Ontario and Québec, it has become one of the most sought-after immigration destinations in Canada.
Apart from some federal programs, the British Columbia province also offers some pathways to the Canadian province. These can be split between Express Entry aligned streams, and non-aligned.
Indeed, the BC PNP currently includes four streams that are aligned with Express Entry. A provincial nomination is issued when the application is successful, leading to the applicant receiving 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This in turn will lead the applicant to automatically receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in the following Express Entry draw from the pool.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be eligible for Express Entry and being in the pool. These are the same streams as for the Express Entry aligned streams. Other streams include healthcare professionals with job offers and entrepreneur investors.
Introduced in 2017, the BC PNP Tech Pilot program provides the opportunity to Tech and IT workers to fast-track their immigration to BC and obtain permanent residence. Besides, draws for the Tech Pilot program are conducted each week, compared to two-week draws for the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC categories.
All BC PNP categories, except Healthcare and International Post-Gratuate streams, are managed under a system known as the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Under the SIRS, potential applicants are first required to register a profile with their personal information relating to their job offer in BC, work experience, language ability, and level of education. The SIRS assigns them a score (out of 200), and the BC government conducts periodic draws in which candidates who meet the cut-off threshold for their category in that draw are invited to apply.
Apart from some federal programs, the British Columbia province also offers some pathways to the Canadian province. These can be split between Express Entry aligned streams, and non-aligned.
Indeed, the BC PNP currently includes four streams that are aligned with Express Entry. A provincial nomination is issued when the application is successful, leading to the applicant receiving 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This in turn will lead the applicant to automatically receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in the following Express Entry draw from the pool.
Concerning the other non-aligned Express Entry streams, there is no need to be eligible for Express Entry and being in the pool. These are the same streams as for the Express Entry aligned streams. Other streams include healthcare professionals with job offers and entrepreneur investors.
Introduced in 2017, the BC PNP Tech Pilot program provides the opportunity to Tech and IT workers to fast-track their immigration to BC and obtain permanent residence. Besides, draws for the Tech Pilot program are conducted each week, compared to two-week draws for the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC categories.
All BC PNP categories, except Healthcare and International Post-Gratuate streams, are managed under a system known as the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Under the SIRS, potential applicants are first required to register a profile with their personal information relating to their job offer in BC, work experience, language ability, and level of education. The SIRS assigns them a score (out of 200), and the BC government conducts periodic draws in which candidates who meet the cut-off threshold for their category in that draw are invited to apply.
Overview of British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Programs
| Stream | Main Criteria (not exhaustive) | Job Offer Required? | Aligned with Express Entry | Application Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category: Express Entry BC (EEBC) | ||||
| Skilled Worker | Full-time, indeterminate job offer from a BC employer, in a NOC Type 0, Skill Level A or B, and is in line with B.C. wage rates | Yes | Yes | $700 |
| International Graduate | Job requirement above and graduation from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada in the past three years | Yes | Yes | $700 |
| International Post-Graduate | Graduation from a Master's/PhD program in BC in the natural, applied or health sciences disciplines | No | Yes | $700 |
| Healthcare Professional | Job offer in a listed healthcare occupation: physician, specialist, registered nurse, etc. | Yes | Yes | $700 |
| Category: Skills Immigration (SI) | ||||
| Skilled Worker | Full-time, indeterminate job offer from a BC employer, in a NOC Type 0, Skill Level A or B, and is in line with B.C. wage rates | Yes | No | $700 |
| International Graduate | Job requirement above and graduation from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada in the past three years | Yes | No | $700 |
| International Post-Graduate | Graduation from a Master's/PhD program in BC in the natural, applied or health sciences disciplines | No | No | $700 |
| Healthcare Professional | Job offer in a listed healthcare occupation: physician, specialist, registered nurse, etc. | Yes | No | $700 |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | Full-time, indeterminate job offer from a BC employer, in an occupation in tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or the food processing industry | Yes | No | $700 |
| Category: Entrepreneur Immigration | ||||
| Entrepreneur Immigration | Business or management experience Min net worth of $600,000 and min investment of $200,000 Creation of min 1 new job | No | No | $300 Registration +$3,500 Processing +$1,000/key staff |