British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, is a hub of cultural diversity and economic growth

The BC PNP consists of the Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC and Entrepreneur Immigration Streams. These streams are divided into categories that target skilled workers, international graduates and other professionals with skills, experience and qualifications needed in B.C.

British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, is a hub of cultural diversity and economic growth

Home to the country’s third-largest city, Vancouver, British Columbia is also one of the most diverse provinces in all of Canada. British Columbia’s economy focuses on a strong natural resources sector, with an emphasis on forestry and mining. Its natural environment, with expansive forests and a unique coastal climate, is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Canada, and indeed the world.

B.C. Immigration Streams

If you wish to immigrate to British Columbia, then you have three options to choose from:

Skills Immigration Stream;
Express Entry British Columbia Stream;
Entrepreneur Immigration.

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 to have a job offer or a current job, except for international post-graduates.

The Express Entry British Columbia Stream is for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates and post-graduates only.

Skills Immigration

BC PNP Skills Immigration is divided into the following categories:

Skilled Worker Category

This category is for individuals who have received an eligible job offer in a skilled occupation. Workers are expected to have several years of experience in their skilled occupation.

Healthcare Professional Category

Under this category individuals with experience and eligible job offers, as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals may apply. An eligible job offer must be acquired for one of 11 qualifying health occupations.

International Graduate Category

This category is for individuals who have graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college in the last three years. A job offer must be obtained from a BC employer to be eligible under this sub-category.

International Post-Graduate Category

This category is for graduates with Masters or Doctoral degrees from an eligible educational institution in British Columbia in the natural, applied, or health sciences programs of study. No job offer is required to apply under this sub-category.

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category

Workers in certain entry-level or semi-skilled positions in tourism/hospitality, food processing, or long-haul trucking, or those in entry-level or semi-skilled positions living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia, may be eligible for immigration through this program.

Application Fee: $1,150 for processing. A request for review would cost an additional CAD $500.

Processing time: 2-3 months

Minimum Requirements:

Must have accepted a full-time job offer for a TEER 4 or 5 job (except for the International Post-Graduate Category);
Must have a wage offer in line with the provincial wage rates (except for the International Post-Graduate Category);
Must show you can support yourself and your family (except for the International Post-Graduate Category);
Must meet minimum language requirements (for TEER 2, 3, 4, or 5 ((CLB) level 4 in all competencies) for the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category);
Must meet any additional requirements specific to your category;
Employer must also be meet eligibility criteria (except for the International Post-Graduate Category).

How it works:

You must first register with the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) so that B.C. can review your job, education, location in B.C., language ability and wage against the provincial labour market needs. You can register by completing all the sections of the registration with BCPNP Online.

Note: Candidates for the International Post-Graduate Category and the Healthcare Professional Category do not need to register with the SIRS and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

You will then get a registration score based on multiple factors and are entered into a selection pool for the chosen category. Those who meet specific criteria and who have a score above a certain threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in a provincial draw.

After that, candidates will have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.

If you receive a provincial nomination, you can then apply for permanent residence with the Canadian federal government.

Category	Is a job required?	Is it currently receiving applications?	Additional Requirements
Skilled Worker	Yes (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3)	Yes	Must have at least two years of work experience in skilled work.
Healthcare Professional	Yes	Yes	Must have at least two years of experience as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals.
International Graduate	Yes	Yes	Must have graduated from an eligible university or college in the last three years.
International Post-Graduate	No	Yes	Must have graduated with a Master’s or PhD from a B.C. university in the natural, applied or health sciences programs of study.
Entry-level and Semi-skilled worker	Yes, candidates must be currently working.	Yes	Must work in certain positions in tourism, food processing, or long-haul trucking or must be living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia