What Is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)?
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program PNP or BC PNP creates immigration pathways for skilled workers who have the relevant work experience and training required to fill in-demand jobs in British Columbia.
The immigration process and registration for the BC PNP depend on which of the pathways you can apply for, this is determined by your:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- Work Experience
- Skill Level
- International Student Status
Below are the ways you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program:
Those who successfully apply to immigrate to Canada through the program can get permanent residence when they receive a Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province. In order to qualify for all PNPs you will also need the following:
- Medical Certificate;
- Police Clearance;
- Biometrics; Security Checks; and
- Federal Checks.
If you succeed in getting a nomination from the province, you, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children can apply for permanent residence in British Columbia.
BC Express Entry Stream
This stream allows the province of British Columbia to nominate a specified number of candidates from the Express Entry system and is one of the fastest ways to get permanent residence in the province. This stream is broken into several other categories, namely the:
EE PNP Skilled Worker
This stream is for skilled foreign workers who have high-demand occupations and not only want to immigrate to British Columbia but want to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence quicker.
EE PNP Skilled Worker Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
Yes |
| Connection to Province |
No |
| Job Offer |
Yes |
| Language Proficiency |
Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education |
Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience |
At least 2 years of related work experience |
| Age |
Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
Yes |
| Average Processing Time |
6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP International Graduate
This stream is for students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college in the last 3 years and want to live and work in British Columbia, Canada.
EE PNP International Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
Yes |
| Connection to Province |
Yes |
| Job Offer |
Yes (Skill Level 0, A or B) |
| Language Proficiency |
Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A - CLB 7; NOC B - CLB4) |
| Level of Education |
Tertiary qualification (degree, diploma, or certificate) from a Canadian institution in the past 3 years |
| Work Experience |
No |
| Age |
Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
Yes |
| Average Processing Time |
6 months (Express Entry); or
2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP International Post Graduate
This stream is for students who have recently graduated from a BC university or college with a master’s or doctorate degree in the natural, applied or health sciences and want to immigrate to BC, Canada.
EE PNP International Post-Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
Yes |
| Connection to Province |
Yes |
| Job Offer |
Yes (Skill Level 0, A or B) |
| Language Proficiency |
Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A - CLB 7; NOC B - CLB4) |
| Level of Education |
Master’s or Doctorate in the past 3 years, in one of the following:
- Agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences;
- Biomedical or biological sciences;
- Computer or informational sciences;
- Conservation and research of natural resources;
Engineering or Engineering Technology and engineering-related fields; Healthcare or clinical sciences; Mathematics or statistics;
- Physical sciences.
|
| Work Experience |
No |
| Age |
Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
Yes |
| Average Processing Time |
6 months (Express Entry); or
2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP Healthcare Professional
This stream is for healthcare professionals who want to apply for permanent residence in British Columbia and can help fill the demand currently facing the healthcare sectors as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, or allied healthcare professional.
EE PNP Healthcare Professional Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
Yes |
| Connection to Province |
Yes |
| Job Offer |
Yes (written) in one of the following occupations:
- Physician;
- Healthcare specialist;
- Registered nurse;
- Registered psychiatric nurse;
Nurse practitioner; or Health professional like a:
- Diagnostic medical sonographer;
- Clinical pharmacist;
- Medical laboratory technologist;
- Medical radiation technologist;
- Occupational therapist; or
- Physiotherapist
|
| Language Proficiency |
Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A - CLB 7; NOC B - CLB4) |
| Level of Education |
Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience |
At least 2 years of related work experience |
| Age |
Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
Yes |
| Average Processing Time |
6 months (Express Entry); or
2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
Please note that if you are a midwife, you must have: A Letter of Confirmation from an acknowledged medical institution in BC (be a member for at least six months) and A registered member with the College of Midwives of British Columbia.
BC Skills Immigration Stream
Besides being able to apply through the above-mentioned streams directly through the BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream on the BC PNP portal online for a fast-tracked processing time of 2-3 months you can also apply for permanent residence through the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS) Category if you do not qualify for the previous immigration programs and work in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing sector.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
No |
| Connection to Province |
Yes |
| Job Offer |
Yes - Must be in one of the following job sectors in BC:
- tourism/hospitality;
- long-haul trucking; or
food processing sector.
|
| Language Proficiency |
Yes - CLB 4 |
| Level of Education |
Yes (relevant secondary qualification or high school certificate and licensing or certification required for the job) |
| Work Experience |
Must have been employed for at least 9 consecutive months in BC immediately before application |
| Age |
No |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
Yes |
| Average Processing Time |
2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
To apply for the Skilled Immigration system you must:
- Create an online profile through the BC PNP and register;
- Choose one of the five categories:
- Skilled Worker;
- Healthcare Professional;
- International Post Graduate;
- International Graduate; or
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
- Receive a registration score and enter into a selection pool for the category you chose;
- Complete your registration when you receive your confirmation email along with your BC PNP registration number.
Please note that your registration will be kept in the pool for 12 months or until you get an Invitation to Apply from BC (if you meet all the requirements).
BC Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province. Individuals must have business ownership and management experience. They must demonstrate that they are able to:
- Establish themselves in BC;
- Invest in a new or existing business; and
- Employ Canadian citizens or permanent residents to give significant economic benefits to the province
Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC
British Columbia is one of Canada’s most dynamic places to do business. Entrepreneurs benefit from its strategic location, low taxes, competitive operating costs, and a multicultural workforce that is well-educated, highly-skilled, and productive.
If you are an entrepreneur who is ready to buy or invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you can apply through one of the following business immigration streams:
Entrepreneur Base Category
This category is for those who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to buy an existing business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.
BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
No |
| Connection to Province |
No |
| Job Offer |
No |
| Language Proficiency |
CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
| Level of Education |
Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of past 5 years with 100% business ownership |
| Age |
No |
| Work Experience |
Business Ownership or Management of at least 3 years(within last 10 years) |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
No |
| Investment |
Minimum $200,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth of at least $600,000 CAD |
| Average Processing Time |
15 - 19 months |
Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
This category is for those who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to start a new business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.
BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
No |
| Connection to Province |
No |
| Job Offer |
No |
| Language Proficiency |
CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
| Level of Education |
Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of the past 5 years with 100% business ownership |
| Age |
No |
| Work Experience |
Business Ownership or Management of at least 3 years(within last 5 years) |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
No |
| Investment |
Minimum $100,000 CAD
Personal Net Worth of at least $300,000 CAD |
| Average Processing Time |
15 - 19 months |
Strategic Projects Category
This category is for foreign corporations and business owners who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to establish a subsidiary or branch in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.
BC Strategic Projects Category Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
No |
| Connection to Province |
No |
| Job Offer |
No |
| Language Proficiency |
CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
| Level of Education |
Key staff members must have relevant qualifications for the position |
| Age |
No |
| Work Experience |
Key staff members must have relevant senior/executive experience and must be currently employed in a foreign corporation |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
No |
| Equity Investment |
Minimum $500,000 CAD |
| Average Processing Time |
15 - 19 months |
BC Tech Pilot
This program was created for skilled tech workers to immigrate to BC through jobs that are noted by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology as being in demand. The program aims to attract talented workers and international students by speeding up the permanent residence application.
What Jobs Can You Apply With For the BC PNP Tech Pilot?
There are currently 29 jobs that are eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot program. The program has recently been extended to June 2021 due to its phenomenal success and to ensure that companies can meet their hiring requirements for the future.
The program also has weekly draws that allow the province to choose qualified applicants.
BC Tech Pilot Eligibility Requirements
|
|---|
| Express Entry Profile |
No |
| Connection to Province |
No |
| Job Offer |
Yes - at least one-year job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations |
| Language Proficiency |
Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education |
Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience |
At least 2 years of related work experience |
| Age |
Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds |
Yes |
| Average Processing Time |
2 - 3 months |
Other Benefits of This Program
- You do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment; and
- You can get a work permit support letter that lets you:
- Renew your work permit; or
- Apply for a new work permit
