The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) of the province of British Columbia.

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a direct economic immigration program. It provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled and experienced workers, in-demand workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates. So that they can settle and work in BC and raise a family. 

Under the BC PNP, the BC government will select and nominate eligible candidates. Candidates can then apply for permanent residency to the federal government through the IRCC. 

The government of British Columbia provides 2 streams for foreign nationals to get nominated for the BC PNP.

 

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program: Skills Immigration

The Skills Immigration under the BC PNP offers 6 streams for foreign nationals to apply for the provincial nomination, including:

• Skilled Worker
• Health Authority
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)
• International Graduate
• International Post-Graduate
• BC PNP Tech

 

Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker stream provides an opportunity for skilled and experienced professionals, managers, technicians, tradespeople, and others to obtain permanent residency in British Columbia.

The requirements include:

• Have a full-time, indeterminate job offer from a B.C. employer (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3)
• Be capable of carrying out the job’s requirements
• Have a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in any skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3)
• Show you can support yourself and your dependents
• Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
• Have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation

 

Health Authority

Individuals employed by a health authority in British Columbia can obtain a pathway to permanent residency through the Health Authority stream. The Health Authority stream may be applicable to physicians, midwives, and nurse practitioners who meet the eligibility criteria.

The requirements include:

• A full-time, indeterminate job offer from a B.C. public health authority; or a letter from a health authority or midwife practice group that confirms that you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or midwife in B.C.
• Meet general BC PNP requirements
• Meet the education, training, experience, and qualification requirements outlined by the public health authority

 

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream provides an avenue for individuals in specific occupations within the tourism/hospitality and food processing industries to acquire permanent residency in British Columbia.

The requirements include:

• Have accepted a full-time, indeterminate job offer from a B.C. employer in the tourism/hospitality, or food processing sector
• Have been working full-time for the employer for a minimum of nine consecutive months before applying
• Be qualified to do the job offered to you
• Be earning a wage in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation
• Meet minimum language and education requirements
• Show you can support yourself and your dependents

 

International Graduate

International graduates who hold valid a credential from an eligible Canadian university or college recently can consider this stream to get the permanent residency in BC. 

The requirements include:

• Have completed a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada in the past three years
• Have accepted a job offer from a B.C. employer (NOC TEER 1, 2, or 3, NOC TEER 0 is not eligible)
• Be qualified to do the job offered to you
• NOC TEER 2 or 3 occupations must meet minimum language requirements
• Show you can support yourself and your dependents

 

International Post-Graduate

The International Post-Graduate stream of the BC PNP may be available to those who have completed a master’s or doctoral program at an eligible post-secondary institution in British Columbia. International students who are pursuing a PhD at a public post-secondary institution in the province may also be eligible to apply. 

Candidates do not necessarily need a job offer from an employer to be eligible for this stream.

The requirements include:

• Have obtained eligible graduate-level education from an eligible program of study at a post-secondary institution in B.C. in the last 3 years
• Have legal immigration status in Canada
• Intent to live, work and economically establish in B.C.

 

BC PNP Tech

BC PNP Tech provides a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers in specific high-demand tech occupations.

It is not a separate stream but rather a set of administrative measures designed to facilitate the process for skilled tech workers, including exclusive draws for tech workers to apply and a concierge service for employers.

You can check out the list of eligible in-demand tech occupations for the BC PNP Tech program. 

You must meet the general and stream requirements and choose the BC PNP stream that is best for you. 

• Skilled Worker (including Express Entry BC option)
• International graduate students (including Express Entry BC option)

 

In-demand Tech Occupations

NOC	BC PNP Tech Pilot Job Title
10030	Telecommunication carries managers
20012	Computer and information systems managers
21100	Physicists and astronomers
21210	Mathematicians, Statisticians, and actuaries
21211	Data scientists
21220	Cybersecurity specialists
21221	Business systems specialists
21222	Information systems specialists
21223	Database analysts and data administrators
21230	Computer systems developers and programmers
21231	Software engineers and designers
21232	Software developers and programmers
21233	Web designers
21234	Web developers and programmers
21300	Civil engineers
21301	Mechanical engineers
21310	Electrical and electronics engineers
21311	Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
21320	Chemical engineers
21399	Other professional engineers
22110	Biological technologists and technicians
22220	Computer network and web technicians
22221	User support technicians
22222	Information systems testing technicians
22310	Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
50011	Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
22312	Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
51111	Authors and writers (except technical)
51112	Technical writers
51120	Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
52119	Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
52112	Broadcast technicians
52113	Audio and video recording technicians
52120	Graphic designers and illustrators
53111	Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

 

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program: Entrepreneur Immigration (EI)

The Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides a pathway for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses that foster innovation and economic development in British Columbia.

The Entrepreneur Immigration stream operates on a “temporary to permanent” immigration model, which implies that if accepted, candidates would initially come to B.C. as temporary residents and later apply for permanent residency upon successfully establishing a business.

You can find out more details about the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration program.

 

How TWA Can Help

Hiring an immigration consultant for BC PNP applications is recommended as they can:

• Assist with navigating complex eligibility criteria and documentation requirements
• Avoid mistakes that could impact success
• Act as a liaison between applicants and government authorities
• Increase the chances of success

It is important to note that consultants must be licensed by ICCRC to provide professional immigration services in Canada.