BC PNP Program
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
British Columbia, located on Canada’s western coast, stands as a prime destination for Canadian immigration due to its robust economic growth and burgeoning labor market opportunities. The BC PNP (British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program) serves as a pivotal pathway for aspiring global immigrants and skilled entrepreneurs who seek to make Canada their home. This program expedites the immigration process for individuals aiming to settle permanently in British Columbia and attain Canadian PR status.
The BC PNP operates in collaboration with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), the federal Immigration Department. The application process comprises two key stages: first, candidates submit a Nomination application to the Provincial Government, followed by an application for Permanent Resident status to the Federal Government upon receiving a nomination from the province.
Distinguished among Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, the BC PNP boasts three major immigration streams to cater to diverse profiles: Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC, and Entrepreneur Immigration. These pathways further branch out into various sub-categories to accommodate a range of applicants.
Several BC PNP immigration streams align with the federal Canada Express Entry system. Successful candidates through these streams receive an additional 600 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points and an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for PR Visa in the subsequent Express Entry draw.
Furthermore, certain BC PNP streams operate under the unique SIRS (Skills Immigration Registration System). Prospective candidates create a SIRS profile, providing details about education, language proficiency, work experience, and a potential job offer in British Columbia. The SIRS scores applicants out of 200 based on EOI (Expression of Interest) and ITA (Invitation to Apply) principles. Regular draws are conducted, and candidates exceeding the cut-off threshold for their stream receive an ITA for Provincial Nomination.
Although some BC PNP streams require a job offer from a local employer, specific streams managed independently of SIRS do not impose this requirement. Notably, in 2017, the BC PNP introduced the Tech Pilot Program, facilitating migration of IT and Tech professionals to British Columbia with a pathway to Canadian PR status.
What various BC PNP Immigration Pathways are there?
There are three options for immigrants to become Permanent Residents in British Columbia through the Provincial Nominee Programme. According to your status as an international student, your occupation, or your level of skill under the National Occupational Classification, you can select a subcategory from each stream. Periodically, the BC PNP draw is held to issue invitations to apply to candidates for nomination through one of the BC PNP’s qualifying streams.
Skilled Immigration in BC
British Columbia’s Skills Immigration program presents a golden opportunity for skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations. This program employs an innovative invitation system centered around a points-based evaluation. The application process involves initial registration and online submission for the BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), followed by a paper-based Permanent Residency (PR) application process.
It’s worth noting that specific sub-categories within the Skills Immigration program might not necessitate prior work experience. For certain sub-categories, skilled workers can leverage their overseas work experience. On the other hand, semi-skilled and entry-level stream candidates need to demonstrate work experience within British Columbia. Notably, recent international graduates from Canadian universities or colleges might be exempt from mandatory work experience, contingent on their job offers.
The essence of BC Skills Immigration is to attract foreign nationals possessing the potential to make valuable contributions to the province’s workforce. The sub-streams within this program focus on individuals with promising employment prospects in British Columbia, as well as those equipped with the necessary experience to secure and uphold employment while residing in the province. Here’s a breakdown of the SI sub-categories:
- British Columbia Healthcare Professional
- British Columbia International Post-Graduate
- British Columbia Skilled Worker
- British Columbia International Graduate
- British Columbia Semi-Skilled and Entry Level Worker
One of the most appealing aspects of these sub-streams is that they don’t require applicants to be eligible for Express Entry. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the programs within this stream offer an expedited pathway to Permanent Residency for eligible candidates who maintain an active profile in the Express Entry system.
In summary, British Columbia’s Skills Immigration program is a tailor-made opportunity for foreign nationals with diverse skills. Its sub-streams cater to a spectrum of experiences and qualifications, all with the goal of enriching the province’s workforce and ensuring a smooth transition to Permanent Residency for qualified individuals.
Express Entry in BC
Unlock Swift Pathway with BC Express Entry: Qualifications and Process
British Columbia Express Entry emerges as the expeditious route for skilled workers aspiring to migrate to the province. Meeting the criteria for a federal Economic migration program is a prerequisite. BC Express Entry operates on an invitation system utilizing a points-based approach. Seamlessly executed, the process encompasses both PNP BC and PR procedures, entirely in the digital realm.
The Express Entry BC PNP prerequisites for eligibility in this stream encompass
- Express Entry Profile Number and IRCC Validation Code: Possessing an Express Entry Profile Number and an IRCC Express Entry Job Seeker Validation Code is indicative of meeting the fundamental qualifications for any of the 3 schemes within IRCC Express Entry.
- Confirmed Permanent Job Offer: Securing an indeterminate, permanent job offer from a local employer takes center stage. The job must align with National Occupational Classification Skill levels B, A, or 0, reflecting its skilled nature.
- Job Qualifications: Meeting the qualifications requisite for the offered job role within the province is pivotal.
- Relevant Work Experience: Demonstrating a minimum of two years of directly correlated work experience is mandatory.
- Financial Capacity: Displaying the ability to financially support yourself and your dependents holds significance.
- Immigration Status: Possessing legal immigration standing in the country is a foundational requirement.
- Conformity with Employment Rates: Holding a job offer aligned with established employment rates in BC for the specified occupation is imperative.
- Language Proficiency: Meeting the stipulated language requirements is essential.
Embark on your BC Express Entry journey confidently, propelled by these comprehensive qualifications. Your swift migration to British Columbia awaits!
Business immigration in BC
For experienced entrepreneurs who want to actively manage a firm in the province, British Columbia has an Entrepreneur Immigration category. The applicants must have the necessary personal and investment funds, and the invitation process is based on points.
The Regional Pilot Entrepreneur Immigration stream is for business owners who want to launch a new venture in one of the province’s participating regional communities.
The Entrepreneur Immigration stream of British Columbia is intended for foreign nationals and companies with a track record of achievement in business ownership, management, and investment. By starting new businesses in British Columbia, entrepreneurs with significant personal net worth and foreign companies with substantial yearly revenue can immigrate to the province.
The following are substreams of BC Entrepreneur Immigration:
- Regional Entrepreneur Pilot in British Columbia
- Entrepreneur in British Columbia
- Strategic Projects in British Columbia
What exactly does the BC PNP Tech Pilot Programme do?
British Columbia’s Tech Pilot programme is geared at foreign nationals working in any of the province’s high-demand technology professions. It is in line with the province’s Skills Immigration stream. Thus, interested candidates must evaluate the various sub-categories under the SI pathway. Through applications, Tech Pilot enables qualified foreign nationals to gain access to expedited processing and additional resources.
How long does it take to process a BC PNP?
Estimated BC PNP Processing Times: Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration Nomination applications typically take around 2 to 3 months for processing. Entrepreneur Immigration applications have a processing timeline of 6 weeks for the Registration Score Notification stage from registration date. An additional 4 weeks must be considered for processing from the submission of supplication to the Work Permit decision notification stage.
At the federal level, IRCC processes non-Express Entry provincial nomination applications within 15 to 19 months. However, Express Entry streams usually have a quicker average processing time of 6 months.
How are BC PNP points calculated?
- IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) allots a distinct immigration quota for each of the ten provinces within the country. Adhering to this allocation is mandatory for every province. To manage immigrant intake, British Columbia employs the SIRS (Skilled Immigration Registration System), a meticulous selection process designed to identify the most skilled and deserving candidates.
- The SIRS employs a points-based system that evaluates an individual's Core Human Factors, such as education, age, English language proficiency, and work experience. Economic Factors, including wage considerations, are also taken into account. Meeting the stipulated criteria is a fundamental requirement outlined by the BC PNP (British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program) for accepting immigration applications.
- Complying with all British Columbia immigration prerequisites makes you eligible for a Nomination. This prestigious nomination adds an extra 600 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points to your profile. Consequently, your likelihood of being selected in the federal Express Entry draw substantially increases. Alternatively, you can directly apply to the BC PNP when their allocation period is active.
Points allotted under the PNP for British Columbia:
Scoring Sections | Maximum Points | |
Economic Factors (120) | Employments Regional District | 10 |
A wage of the Job Offer in BC | 50 | |
BC Job Offers Skill Level | 60 | |
Human Capital Factors (80) | Language | 30 |
Highest Education Level | 25 | |
Work Experience Directly Related | 25 | |
Total Available Points | 200 |
How can Izago Immigration help you?
Izago Immigration offers comprehensive assistance to individuals seeking to immigrate to British Columbia through various Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. These streams often have stringent standards, leading to a high application refusal rate for those not prepared and filed correctly. Our expertise lies in guiding applicants through these complex processes and intricate documentation requirements, increasing the chances of successfully obtaining a British Columbia PNP nomination.
Our team of seasoned Immigration Experts has assisted numerous families in successfully relocating to British Columbia through the BC PNP Tech and Skilled Worker streams. With their proficiency and experience, they can thoroughly assess your unique case and recommend the most suitable approach to cater to your immigration needs.
Having been a prominent figure in the immigration industry for over 16 years, Izago Immigration has garnered a wealth of positive reputation and extensive experience. We have consistently supported a diverse range of aspiring immigrants in realizing their dreams of moving to British Columbia.
As a top-tier brand in the Immigration sector, Izago Immigration stands out as a highly dependable immigration firm with an impressive track record of facilitating thousands of successful PNP nominations. Several key factors contribute to our status as the premier Immigration Consultant for obtaining a BC PNP nomination:
- Authorized and Licensed Immigration Consultants: Our consultations are conducted by qualified experts who are authorized and licensed to provide immigration advice.
- Comprehensive Guidance: We offer step-by-step guidance throughout the eligibility assessment and application process, ensuring applicants are well-informed at every stage.
- Online Security and Transparency: We maintain a secure online platform for our processes and uphold transparency, keeping applicants informed about their application status.
- Complaint Redressal System: We have a structured system in place to address any concerns or issues that may arise during the application process.
- Vast Experience: With a proven track record of handling over 10,000 applications, we bring an extensive wealth of experience to each case we handle
- Thorough Case Assessment: Each case is meticulously reviewed multiple times before submission to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Easy Qualification Evaluation: We offer a user-friendly platform for evaluating qualifications and other skills, streamlining the initial assessment process.
For those aspiring to secure a Canada PR Visa, Izago Immigration emerges as the ultimate partner, offering expertise, reliability, and a history of successful outcomes. Our dedication to excellence and commitment to applicants’ success sets us apart in the field of immigration consultancy. Contact us now!