The economic growth of the province depends on having enough skilled and qualified
workforce to meet the labor market needs. The BC PNP is a way for high-demand foreign
workers and experience entrepreneurs to gain permanent residency in BC.
BC PNP Pathways
The BC PNP offers three ways to become a permanent resident in BC. Each way contains
different categories you can apply under, depending on your National Occupational
Classification skill level, job or international student status.
Skills Immigration
Skills Immigration is for skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in B.C.
It uses a points-based invitation system. The process involves registering and applying
online for the BC PNP and a paper application process for permanent residency.
You may not need prior work experience for some categories. Skilled workers may have
work experience from abroad. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category applicants need B.C.
work experience. Recent international graduates of a Canadian university or college may not
need any work experience, depending on the job being offered.
Eligibility:
To qualify for this category, you must:
Process:
To start the process, a profile must be created on their online application and registration
system, BCPNP Online. After submitting your registration, you will receive a score based on
your skills and job. Periodically, they invite people with the highest scores to apply through
BCPNP Online.
Express Entry BC
Express Entry BC is a faster way for eligible skilled workers to immigrate to B.C. You must
also qualify for a federal economic immigration program. It uses a points-based invitation
system, and is an entirely web-based registration and application process for both the BC
PNP and permanent residency process.
You do not require BC work experience. However, you must have relevant work experience
as well as meet other requirements such as education and language.
Step 1: Registration
The first step is registration with the Skill Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Registering allows them to assess your job, BC location, education, language eligibility ad
wage. This information is reviewed against BC labour market needs. Registration is free and
all registrations must meet minimum program and category requirements.
Only applicants under the EEBC — Skilled Worker and EEBC — International
Graduate categories need to register with SIRS. EEBC — HealthCare Professional and EEBC
— International Post-Graduate applicants can apply directly through BCPNP Online.
Applicants to all other categories must first register through BCPNP Online.
Before you register, please ensure that you have an Express Entry completed with IRCC
Express Entry system and you must meet the requirements of one of the following
immigration programs:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class
Once you have submitted your profiles with IRCC system and you meet the minimum
criteria, you will receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code.
Post that, you can register with the BC PNP.
Once you have registered, a score is generated based on the various factors. You also go
into a selection pool for your chosen category. You stay in the selection pool for up to 12
months, or until you reive an invitation to apply.
Step 2: Invitation
Eligible applicants under the Express Entry BC system will receive an invitation to apply.
They are issued based on the BC PNP’s annual nomination allocation and processing
capacity. However, registration does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply.
If you are invited to apply, you will have 30 calendar days from the date of application to
submit a complete application via BCPNP Online. An invitation to apply does not guarantee
you will be approved for nomination.
Step 3: Application
To submit your Express Entry BC application BCPNP Online, you will have 30 calendar days
from the date of application and it also requires a $700 procession fee. After submission, it
will be assessed according to the Provincial Immigration Programs Act and Provincial
Immigration Programs Regulation and the criteria specific to the Express Entry BC category.
It may be declined, if the application details differ from the registration information.
Step 4: Nomination
Once your application is assessed successfully and approved, you will receive a provincial
nomination and you can apply to IRCC for permanent residence Express Entry system. You
must accept the nomination through IRCC Express Entry portal in order to receive a federal
invitation to apply for permanent residence as a provincial nominee from IRCC.
Entrepreneur Immigration
The Entrepreneur Immigration stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to
actively manage a business in B.C. It is a points-based invitation system. Applicants must
have the required personal and investment funds.
The Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot is for entrepreneurs who want to start a new
business in participating regional communities across B.C.
There is also an option for companies looking to expand into B.C., and who need to get
permanent residency for key employees.
Minimum Requirements for Candidates
Application Process
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