British Columbia (BC) is Canada’s westernmost province widely known for its Pacific coastline and mountain ranges. It is one of the most diverse provinces and is home to the country’s third-largest city, Vancouver. Vancouver is consistently listed as one of the world’s best cities to live in, making it ever popular with immigrants.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (British Columbia PNP, or BC PNP) is aimed at providing a fast-track service for permanent resident applications for experienced and skilled workers. It also caters to business people and their eligible family members to settle in BC permanently.

In addition, the British Columbia PNP was designed to attract foreign nationals with the necessary skills and experience targeted by the province. These foreign nationals include high-impact workers and entrepreneurs suitable for BC’s labour market and economic development priorities.

Foreign nationals applying through the BC PNP enjoy processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration programs, which is just one of the advantages of applying for permanent residence through the BC PNP.

What Is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)?

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, or BC PNP, creates immigration pathways for skilled workers who have the relevant work experience and training required to fill in-demand jobs in British Columbia.

The immigration process and registration for the BC PNP depend on which of the pathways you can apply for, this is determined by your:

• National Occupational Classification (NOC);
• Work Experience;
• Skill Level; or
• International Student Status.

Below are the 4 ways to immigrate to Canada under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program:

Those who successfully apply to immigrate to Canada through the program can get permanent residence when they receive a Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province. In order to qualify for all PNPs you will also need the following:

• Medical Certificate;
• Police Clearance;
• Biometrics; Security Checks; and
• Federal Checks.

If you succeed in getting a nomination from the province, you, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children can apply for permanent residence in British Columbia.

BC Express Entry Stream

This stream allows the province of British Columbia to nominate a specified number of candidates from the Express Entry system and is one of the fastest ways to get permanent residence in the province. This stream is broken into several other categories, namely the:

• EE PNP Skilled Worker;
• EE PNP International Graduate;
• EE PNP International Post Graduate; and
• EE PNP Healthcare Professional.

EE PNP Skilled Worker

This stream is for skilled foreign workers who have high-demand occupations and not only want to immigrate to British Columbia but want to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence quicker.

EE PNP International Graduate

This stream is for students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college in the last 3 years and want to live and work in British Columbia, Canada.

EE PNP International Post Graduate

This stream is for students who have recently graduated from a BC university or college with a master’s or doctorate degree in the natural, applied or health sciences and want to immigrate to BC, Canada.

EE PNP Healthcare Professional

This stream is for healthcare professionals who want to apply for permanent residence in British Columbia and can help fill the demand currently facing the healthcare sectors as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, or allied healthcare professional.

Please note that if you are a midwife, you must have: A Letter of Confirmation from an acknowledged medical institution in BC (be a member for at least six months) and A registered member with the College of Midwives of British Columbia.

BC Skills Immigration Stream

Besides being able to apply through the above-mentioned streams directly through the BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream on the BC PNP portal online for a fast-tracked processing time of 2-3 months you can also apply for permanent residence through the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS) Category if you do not qualify for the previous immigration programs and work in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing sector.

To apply for the SI system you must:

• Create an online profile through the BC PNP and register;
• Choose one of the five categories:
  • Skilled Worker;
  • Healthcare Professional;
  • International Post Graduate;
  • International Graduate; or
  • Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
• Receive a registration score and enter into a selection pool for the category you chose;
• Complete your registration when you receive your confirmation email along with your BC PNP registration number.

Please note that your registration will be kept in the pool for 12 months or until you get an Invitation to Apply from BC (if you meet all the requirements).

Visit our website here for a complete list of qualifying in-demand jobs in British Columbia.

BC Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province. Individuals must have business ownership and management experience. They must demonstrate that they are able to:

• Establish themselves in BC;
• Invest in a new or existing business; and
• Employ Canadian citizens or permanent residents to give significant economic benefits to the province

Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC

British Columbia is one of Canada’s most dynamic places to do business. Entrepreneurs benefit from its strategic location, low taxes, competitive operating costs, and a multicultural workforce that is well-educated, highly-skilled, and productive.

If you are an entrepreneur who is ready to buy or invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you can apply through one of the following business immigration streams:

• Entrepreneur Base Category – to purchase an existing business in BC;
• Entrepreneur Regional Pilot – to start a new business in BC; or
• Strategic Projects Category – for foreign corporations who want to establish a subsidiary or branch in BC.

Entrepreneur Base Category

This category is for those who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to buy an existing business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.

Entrepreneur Regional Pilot

This category is for those who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to start a new business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.

Strategic Projects Category

This category is for foreign corporations and business owners who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to establish a subsidiary or branch in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.

BC Tech Pilot

This program was created for skilled tech workers to immigrate to BC through jobs that are noted by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology as being in demand. The program aims to attract talented workers and international students by speeding up the permanent residence application.

What Jobs Can You Apply With For the BC PNP Tech Pilot?

There are currently 29 jobs that are eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot program. The program has recently been extended to June 2021 due to its phenomenal success and to ensure that companies can meet their hiring requirements for the future.

The program also has weekly draws that allow the province to choose qualified applicants.

Other Benefits of This Program

• You do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment; and
• You can get a work permit support letter that lets you:
• Renew your work permit; or
• Apply for a new work permit

If you would like to make British Columbia your new home, you have come to the right place. Our simple online evaluation will determine your eligibility for the British Columbia PNP and any other Canadian immigration programs. Sign up with us today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: What are my employment requirements?

• You must be in possession of a written job offer
• You will have to complete the employer sections of the application forms
• You will have to notify the BC PNP if there are any changes in your employment status. This includes a promotion or termination; if you have been laid off or are on extended leave; or if the business has closed or changed ownership.
• Your employer must be established as an employer in good standing in B.C.
• Your employer must provide full-time, indeterminate (permanent or with no set end date) employment
• Your employer must have a history of good workplace and business practices
• They will have to sign an employer declaration
• The job must meet domestic labour market recruitment requirements, where applicable
• They must offer you a wage in line with industry standards

FAQ 2: How Will Covid-19 Affect my Application?

While most processes continue, in-person interviews for Entrepreneur Immigration have been postponed and will be rescheduled when possible. If you are not working at your usual place of work and rather at home due to the COVID-19 Pandemic you may still be eligible. You will not however be eligible for the BC PNP if you are working from outside of the province.

FAQ 3: What if I can’t produce a document?

The Canadian government expects you to have all of the needed documentation, including language test scores, education credentials assessments, and certificates before you register.

However, if you cannot provide documents from third parties due to COVID-19, you must still meet the deadline with your other documents, along with an explanation as to why these documents are not attached, like a letter from the organization stating it’s not issuing particular documents during that period. As soon as you’re in possession of the missing documentation you can submit it.

FAQ 4: Why do I have to certify my qualification?

Some employment in British Columbia is regulated. If you want to work in a regulated job in Canada, you’ll need to show that your education fits the country’s criteria. If you work in one of these fields, such as in the medical industry, you’ll have to certify your qualifications with a Canadian Authority board.