The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC-PNP) is a pathway for skilled workers who want to gain permanent residency in British Columbia, Canada.

The province's economy is heavily reliant on a substantial natural resources sector, particularly focusing on forestry and mining. Its natural landscape, characterized by vast forests and a unique coastal climate, is considered among the most stunning in Canada, if not globally.

What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program?

The British Columbia PNP enables the provincial government to attract skilled professionals. It is structured to address the economic and labor market needs of the region.

Immigrants can achieve permanent residency through this program. By offering various streams and categories, the BC-PNP seeks to draw individuals possessing the skills, experience, and resources essential for contributing to the province’s economic advancement and development.

Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, with other major cities including Vancouver, Delta, Surrey, Burnaby, Kelowna, Langley District Municipality, Coquitlam, Richmond, and Abbotsford.

Streams Under the BC PNP

• Skills Immigration

This category is designed for skilled and semi-skilled workers engaged in high-demand professions. It includes various subcategories, such as Skilled Worker, Healthcare Professional, International Graduate, and International Post-Graduate.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a valid job offer

• Must receive a wage offer that aligns with provincial wage standards

• Must demonstrate the ability to support yourself and your family (not applicable to the International Post-Graduate Category);

• Meet the language criteria

• Must comply with any additional requirements pertinent to your specific category;

• The employer must also satisfy eligibility criteria

• Express Entry BC

Express Entry BC is synchronized with the federal Express Entry framework. It enables British Columbia to nominate candidates from the federal Express Entry pool, facilitating a quicker route to permanent residency for skilled workers.

Minimum Requirements:

• Have a valid profile within federal Express Entry system;

• Must obtain a Job Seeker Validation Code

• Must have a full-time job offer

• Must receive a wage offer that corresponds with B.C.

• Must be capable of supporting yourself and your family (not applicable to the International Post-Graduate Category);

• Must meet minimum language standards

• Must fulfill additional requirements specific to your category;

• The employer must also be deemed eligible (excluding the International Post-Graduate Category).

• Entrepreneur Immigration

Entrepreneurs and seasoned business managers have the opportunity to immigrate to British Columbia via the Entrepreneur Immigration category. This category is specifically designed to attract individuals who are prepared to invest in and actively oversee a business within the province.

Requirements for the BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category

• Must have a net worth of no less than CAD $600,000

• demonstrate experience in business and/or management

• hold, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

• Proficiency in English or French, equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or above.

• Regional Pilot

The Regional Pilot is a community-oriented initiative that seeks to spread the advantages of immigration throughout smaller communities in British Columbia. It enables local businesses to hire foreign workers for roles that cannot be filled by local candidates.

Requirements for the BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Pilot, you must:

• have a minimum personal net worth of $300,000

• possess over three years of experience as an active business owner-manager.

• hold a post-secondary credential or have experience as an active business owner-manager with complete ownership of the business for at least three of the last five years.

• exhibit basic proficiency in English or French, equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.

Benefits of migrating to the British Columbia PNP

1. 1 million open positions anticipated over the next decade

2. High demand for experts in Technology and Medical services

3. A minimum CRS score of 85 is required

4. Over 100,000 immigrants welcomed in 2022

5. Consistently holds 4 designated draws

How to Apply for the British Columbia PNP?

The application process for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program consists of several essential steps:

1. Verify the eligibility criteria for which you qualify under Canada Express Entry

2. Create an Express Entry Profile

3. Submit all necessary documentation

4. Await the nomination from British Columbia

5. You must accept the provincial nomination (an additional 600 CRS points will be added)

6. Submit the EOI (Expression of Interest)

7. Subsequently, an Invitation to Apply (ITA) will be issued to you

8. You may then provide any other required documents

9. Permanent residency will be granted within six months

Documents Required for the British Columbia PNP

• Valid passport

• Employment offer

• Language proficiency results

• Birth certificate

• Civil identity proof

• Proof of funds

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

• Necessary travel documents

• Proof of legal status

• Reference letters from previous employers

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

• Police Clearance Certificate

Cost to apply 

Processing time

The anticipated processing duration for BC PNP nomination applications under Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration is approximately 2 to 3 months.

For those applying through Entrepreneur Immigration, the expected processing time is 6 weeks for the Registration Score Notification stage, starting from the date of registration.

Summary

British Columbia is among Canada’s rapidly expanding provinces, featuring cities like Vancouver and Victoria.

Employment prospects in British Columbia present an appealing option for numerous foreign workers in search of stable, long-term positions. The province is rich in natural resources and offers numerous opportunities in resource-oriented careers.

The BC PNP program facilitates the immigration of applicants directly to British Columbia.

Izago Immigration is committed to being your trusted immigration partner. Our team of skilled immigration consultants possesses extensive knowledge of BC-PNP and Canadian immigration regulations.

We remain informed about the latest developments to offer you precise guidance. Connect now!