The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is British Columbia’s principal immigration programme for foreign workers and entrepreneurs whose goals align with the province’s development objectives.
British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province and a hub of cultural diversity and economic growth. Home to Vancouver, Canada’s third-largest city, British Columbia is also one of the country’s most diverse provinces.
British Columbia’s economy is built on a strong natural resources sector, with forestry and mining at its core. The province’s natural environment, with its vast forests and distinctive coastal climate, is recognised as one of the most beautiful in Canada and in the world.
Contents
British Columbia’s immigration streams
Candidates who wish to immigrate to British Columbia have the following three options:
- Skills Immigration stream
- Express Entry British Columbia stream
- Entrepreneur Immigration stream
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) sits within theProvincial Nominee Program (PNP)federal system.
The Skills Immigration stream is for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates and post-graduates, as well as entry-level and semi-skilled workers. All candidates need a job offer or current employment, except those applying under the International Post-Graduate category.
The BC PNP’s Express Entry British Columbia stream is open only to skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates and post-graduates.
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Skills Immigration stream
Detailed article on thethe BC PNP Skills Immigration stream.
The skills categories
The BC PNP Skills Immigration stream is divided into the following categories:
- Skilled Worker Category:This category is for individuals who have received a qualifying job offer in a skilled occupation. Workers need several years of experience in their skilled occupation.
- Healthcare Professional Category:This category is for individuals with experience and a qualifying job offer as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse or allied health professional. The job offer must be in one of 11 eligible healthcare occupations.
- International Graduate Category:This category is for individuals who have graduated from an eligible university or college in Canada within the past three years. A job offer from a British Columbia employer is required to qualify.
- International Post-Graduate Category:This category is for students who have graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible institution in British Columbia in a natural, applied or health sciences programme. No job offer is required to apply under this category.
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category:This category is for workers in certain entry-level or semi-skilled positions in the tourism/hospitality, food processing or long-haul trucking industries, or for those working in entry-level or semi-skilled positions in British Columbia’s Northeast Development Region.
Application fee:
- Processing fee: $1.150 CAD.
- A request for reconsideration costs $500 CAD.
Processing time
- 2-3 months
Minimum requirements
- Must have received a full-time job offer for a position in TEER 4 or 5 (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- The wage must be in line with provincial wage rates (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- Must demonstrate the ability to support oneself and one’s family (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- Meet the minimum language requirement (for TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5: CLB 4 in all skills) for the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category.
- Meet the additional category-specific requirements.
- The employer must also meet the eligibility criteria (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
How the process works
Candidates must register with theSkills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)so that British Columbia can assess their work, education, location in British Columbia, language ability and wage against the province’s labour market needs. Register by completing all sections of theBCPNP Online.
Note: Candidates in the International Post-Graduate Category and the Healthcare Professional Category do not need to register with SIRS and may apply directly through BCPNP Online.
Candidates receive a registration score based on a range of factors and are placed in the selection pool for their chosen category. Those who meet the specific criteria and score above a given threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in the province’s published draws.
Candidates then have 30 days to submit their application through BCPNP Online.
If a provincial nomination is granted, the candidate may apply for permanent residence with the federal government of Canada.
| Category | Is a job required? | Currently accepting applications? | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) | Yes | Must have at least two years of work experience in a skilled occupation. |
| Healthcare Professional | Yes | Yes | Must have at least two years of experience as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse or allied health professional. |
| International Graduate | Yes | Yes | Must have graduated from an eligible university or college within the past three years. |
| Sau InternationalPost-Graduate | No | Yes | Must have graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree from a British Columbia university in a natural, applied or health sciences programme. |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | Yes, the candidate must already be working | Yes | Must work in certain positions in the tourism, food processing or long-haul trucking industries, or live and work in British Columbia’s Northeast Development Region. |
Express Entry British Columbia
Detailed article on theExpress Entry British Columbia (EEBC).
The Express Entry British Columbia stream is linked to the federal government’sExpress Entryimmigration selection system, allowing eligible candidates to have both their BC PNP application and their permanent residence application processed on a priority basis if nominated.
Category
The following skills categories can be processed through Express Entry British Columbia:
- Express Entry Skilled Worker Category
- Express Entry Healthcare Professional Category
- Express Entry International Graduate Category
- Express Entry International Post-Graduate Category
Application fee
- $1.150 CAD
Processing time
- 2-3 months
Minimum requirements
- Must have a valid profile in the federal Express Entry system.
- Must have a Job Seeker Validation Code from the Express Entry system.
- Must have received a full-time job offer (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- The wage must be in line with British Columbia wage rates (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- Must be able to support oneself and one’s family (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- Meet the minimum language requirement (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
- Meet the additional category-specific requirements.
- The employermust be eligible (except for the International Post-Graduate category).
How the process works
First, the candidate must hold aExpress Entryvalid profile withImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Register withSkills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), British Columbiaso that British Columbia can assess their work, education, location in British Columbia, language ability and wage against labour market needs. Register throughBCPNP Online.
Note: Candidates in the International Post-Graduate Category and the Healthcare Professional Category do not need to register with SIRS and may apply directly through BCPNP Online.
Receive a registration score based on a range of factors and enter the selection pool for the chosen category. Those who meet the criteria and score above the threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in the published draws.
Candidates have 30 days to submit their application through BCPNP Online.
If selected, the candidate receives the provincial nomination through the Express Entry system. The candidate must accept the nomination within the Express Entry system.
| Category | Is a job required? | Currently accepting applications? | Additional requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes | Yes | Must have at least two years of work experience in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3). |
| Healthcare Professional | Yes | Yes | Must have at least two years of experience as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, allied health professional, or midwife with a letter of confirmation from an established practice group in British Columbia. |
| Tnternational Graduate | Yes | Yes | Must have graduated from an eligible university or college within the past three years. |
| International Post-Graduate | No | Yes | Must have graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree from a British Columbia university in a natural, applied or health sciences programme. |
Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), British Columbia
Detailed article on theSkills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), British Columbia.
The Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) of British Columbia is a points-based system that gives candidates a registration score determining whether they may be invited to apply.
The score is based on a range of factors such as level of education, years of directly related work experience and a job offer in British Columbia, reflecting the individual’s likelihood of success in the labour market and their contribution to the provincial economy.
Points are allocated across the following factors:
| Factor | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Economic factors (80) | |
| – Hourly wage of the British Columbia job offer | 55 |
| – Regional District of employment | 25 |
| Human capital factors (120) | |
| – Directly related work experience | 40 |
| – Highest level of education | 40 |
| – Language | 40 |
| Total points available | 200 |
What is Express Entry?
Detailed article on theExpress Entry.
Express Entry is the Canadian federal government’s immigration application management system, used for three main economic immigration programmes:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
In addition, many streams of theProvincial Nominee Program (PNP)also use the Express Entry system; these are known as enhanced streams. Streams that do not use Express Entry are known as base streams.
Candidates in the Express Entry system are assessed on a range of factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability. They are scored under theComprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence in Express Entry draws.
Enhanced PNP streams, such as the Express Entry British Columbia stream, are linked to Express Entry and search for eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool based on their profile information. Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from British Columbia are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, all but guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Entrepreneur Immigration
Detailed article on theBC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration.
Candidates who wish to immigrate to British Columbia as entrepreneurs have three options:
- Base Category: This category is for senior managers or business owners who intend to invest in a proposed business in British Columbia.
- Regional Pilot:This new pilot is for international entrepreneurs who wish to establish a new business in smaller communities in British Columbia.
- Strategic Projects Category: This category allows foreign-controlled companies to establish operations in British Columbia. Up to five key management, professional or technical staff may be nominated for permanent residence in the province.
Costs
- Registration: CAD$300
- Application: CAD$3,500
- Request for reconsideration: CAD$500
Strategic Projects fee
- Registration: CAD$300
- Application: CAD$3,500
- Key staff: CAD$1,000 (per key staff member)
Processing time
- Registration score notification: 6 weeks (from the date of registration)
- Application decision notification: 4 months (from the date of application)
How the process works
Candidates interested in the Entrepreneur Immigration categories must complete a registration and provide a brief business concept through BCPNP Online.
Based on the information provided, the candidate receives a score. Eligible candidates are placed in the pool of qualified candidates. Periodically, the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply.
Once invited to apply, the candidate has four months to submit a complete application through BCPNP Online. An accounting firm authorised by the BC PNP must then verify the candidate’s personal net worth.
If successful, the candidate is issued a two-year work permit and permitted to establish a business in British Columbia. The candidate then has up to 20 months to implement the business plan. After that, the candidate may receive a provincial nomination from British Columbia and apply for permanent residence.
Candidates interested in the Strategic Projects Category must ensure that their company is eligible and that their key staff are eligible.
The candidate will need to make an exploratory visit to British Columbia to learn more about the local business environment. They must then contact the BC PNP to discuss their business proposal.
The next step is to register the company’s interest in applying. At this stage, the candidate will need to provide details of the company, the proposed investment in British Columbia and the qualifications of the proposed key staff.
British Columbia reviews the registration and, if successful, the candidate is invited to apply. The application must be submitted within 90 days. If the application is approved, the candidate and each key staff member must sign a Performance Agreement with the province.
Each of them receives a work permit support letter and may apply for a work permit through IRCC.
Once in Canada and having met the obligations under the Performance Agreement, the candidate must submit a final report to the BC PNP. The candidate then receives the provincial nomination and has 180 days to apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
Requirements
| Category | Additional requirements |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur Immigration | – Must have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000. – Must demonstrate business or management experience. – Meet the English or French language requirement (CLB 4 or above). – Must establish a new business or purchase and improve an existing one. – Must personally invest at least CAD$200,000 in the business. – Must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. |
| Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot | – Must have a personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000. – Must have three years of experience as an active business owner, or four years of experience as a senior manager, or a combination of one year as a business owner and two years as a senior manager. – Meet the education requirement. – Meet the English or French language requirement (CLB 4 or above). – The business must meet additional requirements. |
| Strategic Projects Category | – The company must be well established and financially sound. – Must demonstrate the ability to invest in expanding into British Columbia. – Must deliver significant economic benefit to the province. |
BC PNP Tech
Detailed article on theBC PNP Tech.
British Columbia holds regular tech draws inviting eligible skilled workers to apply for a provincial nomination.
The programme began as a pilot in 2017 to address labour shortages in the province’s technology sector. In June 2021, the province made it a permanent programme.
The programme is for skilled workers with a job offer in British Columbia in one of 35 eligible occupations. The job offer must be for at least one year and have at least 120 days remaining at the time of application.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
British Columbia offers several options for candidates who wish to immigrate to the province:
- The steps involved:
- Step 1: Depending on your particular circumstances, choose the appropriate immigration stream. Find out whether you are eligible for the stream you have chosen.
- Step 2: If required, register throughthe British Columbia Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
- Step 3: Apply through BCPNP Online.
- Step 4: Receive the provincial nomination from British Columbia.
- Step 5: Apply for permanent residence withImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Candidates must register through the SIRS on BCPNP Online. Candidates applying under the International Post-Graduate category or the Healthcare Professional category do not need to register with SIRS and may apply directly through BCPNP Online.
After registering, the candidate receives a registration score and enters the selection pool. If the candidate meets the specific criteria and scores above a given threshold, they receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. The candidate then has 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.
If successful, the candidate receives the provincial nomination and may then apply for permanent residence with the federal government of Canada.
If the candidate receives the provincial nomination through theExpress Entrysystem, they have the option of accepting it.
Immigrating to British Columbia may be straightforward for one candidate and difficult for another. Candidates should therefore choose the immigration stream that best suits their particular circumstances.
For example, a candidate who has received a job offer in a skilled occupation in British Columbia and holds an Express Entry profile may wish to apply under the Skilled Worker category of the Express Entry British Columbia stream.
BC PNPis for:
- Skilled workers
- Entry-level and semi-skilled workers
- International graduates
- International post-graduate students
- Healthcare professionals
Candidates do not need an Express Entry profile to be eligible to immigrate to British Columbia. However, a job offer is usually required to qualify, unless applying under the International Post-Graduate Category. To apply under that category, the candidate must have graduated from an eligible British Columbia university with a master’s or doctoral degree in a natural, applied or health sciences programme.
In addition, the province offers three options for entrepreneurs who wish to start or acquire a business in British Columbia.
Candidates must identify the immigration stream and category for which they are eligible. They then need to:
If selected, the candidate receives the provincial nomination through the Express Entry system (where applicable). The candidate must accept the nomination within the Express Entry system.
Register withthe British Columbia Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)so that British Columbia can assess the candidate’s work, education, location in British Columbia, language ability and wage against the province’s labour market needs. Register by completing all sections on BCPNP Online.
Candidates applying under the International Post-Graduate category or the Healthcare Professional category do not need to register with SIRS and may apply directly through BCPNP Online.
Receive a registration score based on a range of factors and enter the selection pool for the chosen category. Those who meet the specific criteria and score above a given threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in the province’s published draws.
Candidates have 30 days to submit their application through BCPNP Online.
If the candidate receives a provincial nomination, they have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence with the Government of Canada.
If the candidate receives the provincial nomination through theExpress Entry, the candidate is awarded an additional 600 pointsThe Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This all but guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.
Receiving a provincial nomination puts the candidate in a strong position when applying for permanent residence with IRCC.
IRCC reviews the application and confirms that the candidate passes the eligibility checks before deciding whether to grant permanent residence.
The quality of life in British Columbia is very high. British Columbians are friendly and welcoming. The province is highly diverse, with people from all over the world immigrating there every year.
Vancouver Island has a mild climate with warm, dry summers and wet, rainy winters, autumns and springs. Snow is rare. The weather in northern British Columbia is colder.
The cost of living in British Columbia depends on where the candidate lives. The province has its own cost-of-living calculator, allowing candidates to compare the cost of healthcare, housing, taxes, utilities and transport in different parts of the province.
Vancouver Island and the areas along the southern coast have a mild climate with warm, dry summers and wet, rainy winters, autumns and springs.
The coastal region has the mildest winters in Canada, rarely dropping below 0°C and seldom seeing snow.
The central regions of British Columbia have warmer summers (up to 30°C) and colder, snowier winters.
The weather in northern British Columbia is colder still, with long, snowy winters.
Yes. The areas along the southern coast, including Vancouver Island, have very mild winters. Temperatures rarely fall below 0°C and there is very little snow.
Yes. For Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in British Columbia, the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is free.
The MSP covers medically necessary services such as:
- Physicians’ fees
- Services provided by physicians and midwives
- Dental and oral surgery
- Eye examinations
- Certain orthopaedic services
The MSP also covers diagnostic services such as X-rays.
There are supplementary services that may be covered, such as services from other healthcare providers, including:
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Naturopathy
- Physiotherapy
- Non-surgical podiatry
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