The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) offers a pathway for skilled international workers and graduates to gain permanent residence in Canada. The program offers targeted draws for economy sectors that are in high demand in the province, such as early childhood education, healthcare, technology, and construction.
With the help of targeted draws, the BC PNP prioritizes immigration for individuals with skills in certain in-demand occupations. The BC PNP targeted draws occur weekly or bi-weekly and are designed to fast-track the immigration process for skilled workers in in-demand occupations.
How can you apply to BC PNP?
To be considered for a targeted draw, candidates must register under the BC PNP's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). The SIRS is a points-based system in which candidates are scored based on factors such as their job offer, location, directly related work experience, education, and language proficiency. The highest-scoring candidates are then invited to apply for a provincial nomination.
BC PNP Streams Participating in the Targeted Draws
There are five Skills Immigration streams participating in the targeted draws. These include:
Skilled Worker:
This stream is for individuals with experience in a skilled occupation and targets individuals with valuable managerial, professional, or skilled trade experience. It provides a pathway for experienced workers in these fields to immigrate to British Columbia and contribute to its economy. The Skilled Worker stream targets individuals under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) 0, 1, 2, and 3.
Health Authority:
This stream is for workers employed by British Columbia provincial health authorities, regardless of their NOC TEER category. This includes a wide range of occupations, from doctors and nurses to administrative staff and support workers in the healthcare sector.
International Graduate:
This stream is for recent graduates who have a degree or diploma from a Canadian educational institution. It targets candidates with a job offer under the NOC TEERs 1, 2, and 3. Note that NOC TEER 0 (management occupations) is not eligible under this stream.
International Post-Graduate:
This stream is for recent graduates who have completed an eligible master's or doctoral degree from a British Columbia university. PhD candidates in the province are also eligible for this stream. Unlike the other streams, this stream does not require a job offer.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled:
This stream is for workers in select tourism/hospitality and food processing occupations under the NOC TEER 4 and 5. It provides a pathway for workers in these fields who may not meet the criteria for other BC PNP streams due to the entry-level or semi-skilled level of their occupation.
Applying under the Express Entry British Columbia option
The Express Entry BC (EEBC) pathway provides an opportunity for individuals in the federal Express Entry pool who also meet the criteria for one of the BC PNP Skills Immigration streams. The EEBC pathway is open for four BC PNP’s Skills Immigration streams. Being nominated through the EEBC pathway can boost your federal Express Entry Profile with additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This nomination also enables you to apply for permanent residence via IRCC’s Express Entry system, with fast-tracked processing. To apply via the EEBC pathway, you must meet the minimum criteria for both the relevant BC PNP Skills Immigration stream and one of the eligible federal economic immigration programs.
Weekly targeted draws under the BC PNP
British Columbia conducts both general and targeted draws for Skilled Worker and International Graduate (including EEBC options) streams. These targeted draws specifically focus on occupations in high demand in the province, such as Technology, Childcare, Construction, Healthcare, and Veterinary care.
These targeted draws aim to attract skilled individuals in these fields, thereby addressing labour shortages and contributing to the provincial economy.
Individuals with job offers in the following professions may be eligible for targeted application invitations:
Childcare
NOC 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
Construction
NOC 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
NOC 72102 Sheet metal workers
NOC 72103 Boilermakers
NOC 72104 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
NOC 72105 Ironworkers
NOC 72106 Welders and related machine operators
NOC 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
NOC 72201 Industrial electricians
NOC 72300 Plumbers
NOC 72301 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
NOC 72302 Gas fitters
NOC 72310 Carpenters
NOC 72311 Cabinetmakers
NOC 72320 Bricklayers
NOC 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
NOC 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
NOC 72402 Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
NOC 72500 Crane operators
NOC 73100 Concrete finishers
NOC 73101 Tile setters
NOC 73102 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
NOC 73110 Roofers and shinglers
NOC 73111 Glaziers
NOC 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
NOC 73113 Floor covering installers
Healthcare
NOC 30010 Managers in health care
NOC 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
NOC 31101 Specialists in surgery
NOC 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
NOC 31110 Dentists
NOC 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
NOC 31120 Pharmacists
NOC 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
NOC 31200 Psychologists
NOC 31201 Chiropractors
NOC 31202 Physiotherapists
NOC 31203 Occupational therapists
NOC 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
NOC 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
NOC 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
NOC 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
NOC 31302 Nurse practitioners
NOC 31303 Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
NOC 32101 Licensed practical nurses
NOC 32102 Paramedical occupations
NOC 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
NOC 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
NOC 32110 Denturists
NOC 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
NOC 32112 Dental technologists and technicians
NOC 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
NOC 32121 Medical radiation technologists
NOC 32122 Medical sonographers
NOC 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
NOC 32124 Pharmacy technicians
NOC 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
NOC 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
NOC 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
NOC 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
NOC 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
NOC 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
NOC 41300 Social workers
NOC 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
NOC 42201 Social and community service workers
Technology
NOC 10030 Telecommunication carriers managers
NOC 20012 Computer and information systems managers
NOC 21100 Physicists and astronomers
NOC 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries
NOC 21211 Data scientists
NOC 21220 Cybersecurity specialists
NOC 21221 Business systems specialists
NOC 21222 Information systems specialists
NOC 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
NOC 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
NOC 21231 Software engineers and designers
NOC 21232 Software developers and programmers
NOC 21233 Web designers
NOC 21234 Web developers and programmers
NOC 21300 Civil engineers
NOC 21301 Mechanical engineers
NOC 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers
NOC 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
NOC 21320 Chemical engineers
NOC 21399 Other professional engineers
NOC 22110 Biological technologists and technicians
NOC 22220 Computer network and web technicians
NOC 22221 User support technicians
NOC 22222 Information systems testing technicians
NOC 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
NOC 22312 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
NOC 50011 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
NOC 51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
NOC 51112 Technical writers
NOC 51120 Producers, directors, choreographers, and related occupations
NOC 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
NOC 52112 Broadcast technicians
NOC 52113 Audio and video recording technicians
NOC 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators
NOC 53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators
Veterinary care
NOC 31103 Veterinarians
NOC 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
Apply to BC PNP and immigrate to Canada faster!
The province of British Columbia is renowned for providing its residents with a high standard of living and better career growth opportunities. In 2023 alone, BC PNP invited 10,150 primary applicants (not including their family members) across Skills Immigration and Entrepreneur Immigration draws. With an average of 4-5 draws conducted almost every month, the program maintained a consistent and robust invitation rate. This trend is expected to continue into 2024, further demonstrating the province's commitment to attracting and retaining skilled workers from around the globe.
If you are interested in immigrating to Canada through the BC PNP, Canada Platform can help. Our experts can guide you through the process, offering advice and assistance to maximize your chances of success. We understand the complexities of the immigration process and can help you navigate the system effectively. Do not wait - reach out to Canada Platform today and take the first step towards your new life in Canada.
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