BC PNP Skills Immigration

The Skills Immigration category is the largest category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), aimed at foreign workers in certain high-demand occupations or highly skilled workers in British Columbia.

Overview

The Skilled Worker, Health Care Professional, International Graduate and International Post-Graduate categories may also be processed through an application under theExpress Entry British Columbia, aligned with the immigration selection systemExpress Entryimmigration selection system.

Candidates under the Skills Immigration and Express Entry British Columbia programmes may also be eligible to immigrate under theBritish Columbia Tech streamwhere they receive an eligible job offer in one of the programme’s 35 occupations.

General requirements

As well as meeting the specific requirements for the category they are applying under, candidates must also meet the general requirements for the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream.

Unless otherwise noted, candidates in the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream must meet the following requirements:

• Have received an indefinite, full-time job offer – except candidates under the International Post-Graduate category and those applying to the British Columbia Tech stream – in an eligible occupation at a wage consistent with industry standards and comparable to the wages paid by employers in British Columbia for the same occupation.
• Be sufficiently qualified for the position offered. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) may refer to theNational Occupational Classification (NOC), Work BCor to industry standards in determining the minimum qualifications for an occupation.
• Candidates with a job offer in an occupation at NOC level 0 or A do not need to submit valid language test results; however, the BC PNP may require results at its discretion in order to ensure that the candidate has the language proficiency needed to perform the job duties, or where the candidate claims language points in the registration system.
• Demonstrate English or French language ability atCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB)4, for all occupations at NOC level B, C or D.
• Not own or hold a shareholding of more than 10% in the company in British Columbia that made the job offer, in the 5 years before applying and throughout the processing of the BC PNP application.
• Bring economic benefit to British Columbia through their employment. For example, the candidate’s employment may.
  • Transfer knowledge and skills to Canadians
  • Build a workforce for a major project
  • Create or maintain jobs for Canadians
  • Support the development of new proprietary products
• Meet the minimum income requirement.
• Submit a complete application, together with the CAD 700 application fee, if invited to apply.

The candidate’s employment must not adversely affect the settlement of a labour dispute or the employment of anyone involved in a labour dispute. Nor may the candidate’s employment prevent the training or hiring of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

A candidate does not receive a nomination if they:

• Are inadmissible to Canada
• Are in Canada without legal status
• Where the candidate’s status has expired and they cannot demonstrate that they applied to restore their status within the eligible 90 days, the candidate is treated as being without legal status
• Are working in Canada without authorisation
• Have an unresolved asylum claim in Canada
• Are subject to a removal order in or outside Canada.

The Skilled Worker category

This category is for workers with post-secondary qualifications or training and work experience in a skilled occupation.

As well as meeting the general requirements for the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream, eligible candidates under the Skilled Worker category must:

• Have received an indefinite, full-time job offer from an eligible employer in British Columbia (except those applying to the British Columbia Tech stream).
  • The job offer must be in an occupation classified at NOC level 0, A or B.
    • For occupations at NOC level B, the candidate must demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by submitting language test results reaching a minimum benchmark of 4 under the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) in all skills.
    • For occupations at NOC level 0 or A, language test results are not required unless the candidate claims language points. However, the BC PNP may require valid language test results at its discretion in order to determine whether the candidate has the language proficiency to perform the job duties.
• Have at least 2 years of directly related full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience in the skilled occupation offered, and the certifications and qualification requirements of the position (where applicable).
  • The BC PNP defines directly related work experience as paid employment classified under the same NOC code as the British Columbia job offer accepted by the candidate. Experience in a related occupation at a NOC skill level equal to or higher than the NOC skill level of the British Columbia job offer may also be considered where the candidate can demonstrate satisfactorily that this work experience is directly related to the skilled occupation.
• Meet the language requirement for the classified occupation:
  • For occupations at NOC level B, the candidate must demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by submitting language test results reaching a minimum benchmark of 4 under the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) in all skills.
  • For occupations at NOC level 0 or A, language test results are not required – however, the BC PNP may require valid language test results at its discretion.
• Demonstrate the ability to meet the minimum income requirement and to cover housing and living costs in British Columbia by showing:
  • The annual salary in the province;
  • The place of residence in the province;
  • The number of dependants.

Employers making a job offer to a BC PNP candidate must also meet the BC PNP’s minimum requirements for employers.

The Health Care Professional category

As well as meeting the general requirements for the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream, eligible candidates under the Health Care Professional category must:

• Have received an indefinite, full-time job offer from an eligible public health authority in British Columbia in one of the following fields:
  • Physician
  • Specialist
  • Registered nurse
  • Registered psychiatric nurse
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Allied health professionals such as:
    • Diagnostic medical sonographer
    • Clinical pharmacist
    • Medical laboratory technologist
    • Medical radiation technologist
    • Occupational therapist
    • Physiotherapist
  • As a midwife, the candidate must be registered with the College of Midwives of British Columbia. The candidate must also have a confirmation letter from an established practice group in British Columbia confirming their acceptance into the group as an associate midwife for a period of at least 6 months. This letter must be written on the practice group’s official letterhead and must be signed by the candidate and the head of the practice group.
• Have at least 2 years of directly related full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience in the skilled occupation offered, and the certifications and qualification requirements of the position (where applicable).
  • The BC PNP defines directly related work experience as paid employment classified under the same NOC code as the British Columbia job offer accepted by the candidate. Experience in a related occupation at a NOC skill level equal to or higher than the NOC skill level of the British Columbia job offer may also be considered where the candidate can demonstrate satisfactorily that this work experience is directly related to the skilled occupation.
• Meet the language requirement for the classified occupation:
  • For occupations at NOC level B, the candidate must demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by submitting language test results reaching a minimum benchmark of 4 under theCanadian Language Benchmark (CLB)in all skills.
  • For occupations at NOC level 0 or A, language test results are not required – however, the BC PNP may require valid language test results at its discretion.
• Demonstrate the ability to meet the minimum income requirement and to cover housing and living costs in British Columbia by showing:
  • The annual salary in the province
  • The place of residence in the province
  • The number of dependants.
• Midwives must:
  • Have a confirmation letter from an established practice group in the province confirming acceptance into the group for at least 6 months, written on the group’s official letterhead and signed by the head of the practice group and the candidate.
  • Be registered, or eligible to register, with the College of Midwives of British Columbia.

The International Graduate category

The International Graduate category under Skills Immigration is for international students who have graduated from a university or college in Canada within 3 years of applying to the BC PNP. Although candidates do not necessarily need previous work experience, they must have received a job offer from an employer in British Columbia.

As well as meeting the general requirements for the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream, eligible candidates under the International Graduate category must:

• Have received an indefinite, full-time job offer for an occupation classified at NOC level 0, A or B from an eligible employer in British Columbia (except those applying to the British Columbia Tech Pilot stream).
• The candidate must have obtained a degree, certificate or diploma from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada within 3 years of the completion date shown on the official transcript
  • An undergraduate or postgraduate degree from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada.
  • A diploma from an eligible public post-secondary institution in Canada. Diplomas from private institutions are not eligible for this programme.
  • The diploma programme must be of at least 8 months (2 semesters) of full-time equivalent study.
  • A diploma programme is not eligible where more than a quarter of it is co-op work or a placement.
• The candidate must hold the certifications and qualification requirements of the position (where applicable).
• The candidate must provide evidence that they can support themselves and their dependants in Canada, including:
  • Income and employment prospects
  • The intended place of residence in British Columbia
  • Information on the number of dependants
• Meet the language requirement for the classified occupation:
  • For occupations at NOC level B, C or D, the candidate must demonstrate sufficient English or French language proficiency by submitting language test results reaching a minimum benchmark of 4 under the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) in all skills.
  • Language test results are not required for occupations at NOC level 0 and A unless the candidate claims language points. However, the BC PNP may require valid language test results at its discretion.

The International Post-Graduate category

The International Post-Graduate category is for individuals who have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in the natural, applied or health sciences from an institution in British Columbia. A job offer is not required to apply to this programme.

As well as meeting the general requirements for the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream, eligible candidates under the International Post-Graduate category must:

• The candidate has graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible educational institution in British Columbia within the 3 years before applying to the BC PNP in one of the following fields:
  • Agriculture, agricultural operations and related sciences
  • Biological and biomedical sciences
  • Computer and information sciences and support services
  • Engineering
  • Engineering technology and engineering-related fields
  • Health professions and related programmes
  • Mathematics and statistics
  • Natural resources conservation
  • Physical sciences
• The candidate provides evidence that they intend to reside permanently in British Columbia, such as:
  • Current or previous periods of residence in British Columbia
  • The candidate’s connection to British Columbia through work, study or family
  • A description of the settlement activities the candidate has undertaken (looking for work or accommodation)
  • Current employment in British Columbia
  • Job search details (prospective employers, job applications, networking efforts, business development, and so on).
  • Community involvement
  • The candidate’s ability to be financially self-supporting in British Columbia
  • Plans to obtain or maintain lawful authorisation to work in British Columbia.

The list of eligible programmes of study

A detailed article onProgrammes of study in British Columbiaeligible for the International Post-Graduate category.

The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category

This category is for individuals currently living and working in British Columbia in an eligible occupation in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul transport or food processing industries, or in an occupation at NOC skill level C or D in the province’s Northeast Development Region.

Requirements for the candidate

As well as meeting the general requirements for the British Columbia Skills Immigration stream, eligible candidates under the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) category must:

• Have received an indefinite, full-time job offer from an eligible employer in British Columbia, in an eligible occupation/
• Have worked full-time in an ELSS-eligible occupation for at least 9 continuous months immediately before applying with the same British Columbia employer supporting the application:
  • Individuals currently working in British Columbia’s Northeast Development Region in any level C or D occupation (other than home caregivers) may be eligible for this category.
  • Eligibility in British Columbia’s Northeast Development Region is not limited to the tourism, hospitality, long-haul transport or food processing industries.
  • Note:Work carried out as part of a programme of study (co-op) or while holding a Study Permit or an Off-Campus Work Permit is not eligible.
• Maintain full-time employment throughout the application process.
  • Where the candidate is no longer eligible to work for the supporting employer when the Invitation to Apply to the BC PNP is received, but still has legal status in Canada (for example, as a visitor) or has left Canada, they may still apply provided that:
    • They met the conditions at the time of registering with the BC PNP
    • The job offer remains valid throughout the application process.
• Demonstrate the ability to meet the minimum income requirement and to cover housing and living costs in British Columbia by showing:
  • The annual salary in the province
  • The place of residence in the province
  • The number of dependants
  • Note:Entry level and semi-skilled candidates must demonstrate a history of meeting this requirement over the previous 9 months in the job position
• Have completed secondary education and any licensing or certification required for the job
• Long-haul truck drivers must hold:
  • A valid British Columbia Class 1 driving licence
  • An air brake endorsement and
  • Other certifications (such as dangerous goods transport certification)
• Submit language proficiency test results demonstrating English proficiency of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in all components (listening, speaking, reading, writing).

ELSS-eligible occupations

The tourism and hospitality industry

NOC	Occupation
6525	Hotel front desk clerks
6531	Tour and travel guides
6532	Outdoor sport and recreational guides
6533	Casino occupations
6511	Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts
6512	Bartenders
6513	Food and beverage servers
6711	Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related occupations
6731	Light duty cleaners
6732	Specialised cleaners
6733	Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
6721	Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services
6741	Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
6742	Other service support occupations

The food processing industry

NOC	Occupation
9461	Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
9462	Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
9463	Fish and seafood plant workers
9465	Testers and graders, food, beverage and related products processing
9617	Labourers in food, beverage and related products processing
9618	Labourers in fish and seafood processing

The transport industry

NOC	Occupation
7511	Long-haul truck drivers

Minimum requirements for the employer

Employers making a job offer to a BC PNP candidate must meet the following requirements:

• The business must be established in British Columbia and have been operating for at least 1 year (2 years where the candidate is applying under the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category, including employment in British Columbia’s Northeast Development Region).
• The business must already have full-time, permanent employees:
  • Where the business is located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the business must have at least 5 full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees in British Columbia.
  • Where the business is located outside the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the business must have at least 3 full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees in British Columbia.
• The business must demonstrate a history of good business practice.
• The employer must pay the candidate a wage consistent with industry standards.
• The employer must meet the domestic labour market recruitment requirement.
  • In this case, the employer must demonstrate recruitment efforts for the vacant position during the period in which the candidate was not authorised to work.
• The employer must sign an employer declaration confirming that all these requirements are met.
• A written job offer must be sent to the candidate on the company’s official letterhead and must meet all of the following requirements:
  • The offer must be signed and dated by both the employer and the candidate.
  • The offer must include:
    • A description of the job duties.
    • The wage.
    • The number of working hours for the position (a minimum of 30 hours a week).
    • A statement that the position is permanent and full-time (except for those applying to the British Columbia Tech Pilot stream).
    • A list of additional benefits.
    • A reference to any collective bargaining agreement, where relevant.
• The employer must not deduct from wages for recruitment costs, immigration fees, and so on.
• The wage offered must be at market rate and comparable to the average wage for that occupation in British Columbia.
• Individuals originally hired on the basis of a labour market opinion must receive a wage equal to or greater than the wage set out in the labour market opinion.

The minimum income requirement

The minimum income thresholds by family size are set out below. The candidate must demonstrate that their annual salary in British Columbia and that of their spouse (where applicable) meets the income threshold. Bonuses, commission, tips, living allowances or overtime are not counted towards the annual salary.

Family size	The Greater Vancouver Regional District	The rest of British Columbia
1	$22.804 CAD	$19.006 CAD
2	$28.390 CAD	$23.659 CAD
3	$34.902 CAD	$29.087 CAD
4	$42.376 CAD	$35.316 CAD
5	$48.062 CAD	$40.054 CAD
6	$54.205 CAD	$45.175 CAD
7 or more	$60.350 CAD	$50.296 CAD

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