BC PNP Tech

The BC PNP Tech stream of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) allows the technology sector in British Columbia to attract and retain the talent needed for the sector to continue growing.

The BC PNP Tech programme was launched in 2017 as a pilot to meet the growing demand for talent in British Columbia’s technology sector. In June 2021, the province made this pilot a permanent programme. This initiative aims to attract skilled workers and meet the demand for technology talent by expanding British Columbia’s pool of skilled workers.

How it works

The BC PNP Tech programme is only for those who are already eligible for the Skills Immigration stream or the Express Entry British Columbia stream of theBritish Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

The BC PNP issues invitations weekly to eligible registrants with a valid job offer in one of the 35 eligible occupations listed below.

A job offer under the BC PNP Tech programme must:

• Be in one of the 35 eligible occupations of the BC PNP Tech programme
• Have a term of at least 1 year (365 days)
• Have at least 120 days remaining at the time of application

The free registration process includes providing information about the supporting employer in British Columbia. To be issued an invitation to apply, both the candidate and their employer must meet all the programme requirements at the time of registration. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee that the candidate will be invited to apply.

For the BC PNP Tech programme, the minimum term of the job offer is 365 days, in contrast to the other BC PNP streams, which require an indefinite job offer. A job offer with a term longer than 1 year is still eligible for the Tech programme. The job offer must also be full-time and from an eligible employer in the province.

The BC PNP helps employers attract and retain the talent they need by providing a fast immigration route for internationally trained workers with the critical skills, experience and qualifications that employers in British Columbia need, as well as for international students who have completed a programme of study in British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada and have the critical skills needed by British Columbia’s technology sector.

The BC PNP continues to invite candidates under the various categories ofThe British Columbia Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), depending on their job, work experience and level of education.

The registration process

Once the candidate has identified their category, they may register online and receive a registration score. Registration is free.

Weekly (subject to processing capacity), the BC PNP holds a tech draw to invite the highest-scoring tech registrants to apply.

Invited candidates have up to 30 days from the date the invitation is received to submit a complete online application. The government application fee is CAD 700.

The BC PNP processes applications on a priority basis. If approved, the candidate receives a nomination which they may use to apply for permanent residence.

Individuals who have been nominated and meet the conditions of the nomination receive a work permit support letter allowing them to apply for a work permit or to extend their current one, so that they can work throughout processing.

Programme features

• Dedicated support services
  • Technology employers have access to relevant immigration information.
• Weekly invitations for tech registrants
  • Technology employers have timely access to eligible individuals in the 35 eligible technology occupations.
• Priority processing
  • A dedicated BC PNP Tech programme team assigns tech applications in the 35 occupations on the next working day. The BC PNP states that most applications are processed within 2 to 3 months.
• Focused outreach and engagement
  • BC PNP sessions and events designed specifically for the technology sector, including direct support for employers.

Occupations eligible for BC PNP Tech

Find out more about BC PNP Tech on the government website athere.