Are you eager to start a new chapter of your life in British Columbia? The BC PNP Draw offers a golden opportunity to skilled workers and entrepreneurs to obtain Canadian permanent residence.
Dive into our comprehensive guide to understand the latest updates, application processes, and how you can increase your chances of receiving an invitation in the next BC PNP Draw.
Table of Contents
What’s BC PNP?
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program run by the province of British Columbia (B.C.) in Canada. This program aims to attract and retain skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and graduates to address labour market needs and support economic growth in the province.
How Does BC PNP Work?
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is designed to attract and retain immigrants who can contribute to the economic growth of British Columbia.
Application Process
For Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC, applicants must register online and submit a profile through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). This system ranks candidates based on factors like work experience, education, and language proficiency. High-ranking candidates receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
For Entrepreneur Immigration, candidates must register and submit a business concept online. They are scored and placed in a pool, with the highest-scoring candidates invited to apply. Successful applicants must then submit a detailed business plan and undergo a personal net worth review by an authorised accounting firm.
Requirements and Fees
Each category has specific requirements regarding job offers, work experience, education, and financial investment. For example, the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot requires a minimum personal net worth of CAD $300,000 and an investment of at least CAD $200,000 in the business.
Application fees vary:
- Skills Immigration: CAD $1,475 for the application.
- Entrepreneur Immigration: CAD $300 for registration, CAD $3,500 for the application.
Benefits
A provincial nomination through BC PNP provides a pathway to permanent residence. For Express Entry candidates, it significantly boosts their CRS score, almost ensuring an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Eligible Occupations for BC PNP
The BC PNP identifies and nominates potential immigrants who can contribute to the province’s economic development.
1. High-Demand Occupations
Skills Immigration Stream:
- Healthcare Professionals: General practitioners, specialists, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals like physiotherapists, dietitians, and psychologists.
- Tech Occupations (BC PNP Tech): Software engineers, IT managers, computer network technicians, web designers, and other tech-related roles.
- Construction and Trades: Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, and heavy-duty equipment mechanics.
Express Entry BC (EEBC) Stream:
- Engineering Roles: Civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineers.
- Management Positions: Senior managers in financial, communications, and other business services.
2. In-Demand Occupations
The BC PNP frequently updates its list of in-demand occupations to reflect the province’s labour market needs. Some of the current high-demand occupations include:
- Engineering and Technology: Computer engineers, industrial engineers, information systems analysts, and consultants.
- Healthcare and Social Services: Registered nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and social workers.
- Trades: Sheet metal workers, boilermakers, crane operators, and bricklayers.
3. Specific Programs and Their Focus Areas
BC PNP Tech: This stream specifically targets tech workers and offers expedited processing for those with job offers in 29 eligible tech occupations, such as software developers, graphic designers, and IT consultants.
Entrepreneur Immigration: For those looking to invest in and manage a business in BC. This includes streams like the Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category, which targets experienced business owners and senior managers, and the Regional Pilot, which focuses on establishing businesses in smaller communities.
Construction Focus: Recently, BC PNP introduced 25 new construction occupations to address the urgent need for residential housing and infrastructure development. This includes roles like landscape technicians, structural metal workers, and roofers.
How to Apply
Applicants typically need a valid job offer from an eligible BC employer, meet specific work experience and education requirements, and demonstrate the ability to support themselves and their families. The application process involves creating an online profile and registering through the BC PNP online system. Candidates are scored based on their qualifications, and those with the highest scores receive invitations to apply.
Latest BC PNP Draw 2024
The BC PNP continues to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs from around the globe to address the province’s labour market needs and drive economic growth.
Skills Immigration invitations
In the latest BC PNP draw on July 9, 2024, a total of 213 invitations were issued to candidates under various categories of Skills Immigration. These categories include the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, both with and without an Express Entry option. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the invitations:
| Stream | Minimum Score | Number of Invitations |
| Skilled Worker, International Graduate (Childcare) | 65 | 45 |
| Skilled Worker, International Graduate (Construction) | 80 | 12 |
| Skilled Worker, International Graduate (Healthcare) | 65 | 41 |
| Skilled Worker, International Graduate (Tech) | 108 | 90 |
| Skilled Worker, International Graduate (Veterinary care) | 65 | <5 |
This draw targeted a range of occupations to address labour market needs in British Columbia, focusing on sectors like childcare, construction, healthcare, tech, and veterinary care.
Entrepreneur Immigration invitations
On the same date, BC PNP also issued invitations under the Entrepreneur Immigration stream. These invitations are designed for individuals looking to invest in and actively manage a business in British Columbia.
| Stream | Minimum Score | Number of Invitations |
| Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot | 106 | <5 |
| Entrepreneur Immigration – Base | 115 | 5 |
These streams help boost economic growth by encouraging business investments and job creation in the province
I received an ITA; What should I do now?
Congratulations on receiving your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residence! Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do next:
1. Review Your ITA Details: Check your ITA letter in your online account to understand the program under which you’ve been invited to apply. It could be the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or another category. This letter will also show how your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were calculated.
2. Accept or Decline the ITA: You have 60 days to either accept or decline the ITA. If you’re not ready to apply or if your circumstances have changed, you may decline the ITA. Declining will return your profile to the Express Entry pool for future consideration without penalty.
If you do not respond within the 60 days, the ITA will expire, and you will need to re-enter the pool with a new profile.
3. Gather Required Documents: Start gathering all necessary documents immediately. This includes passports, language test results, educational credential assessments (ECA), job offer letters, police certificates, and proof of funds. Some documents, like police certificates, may take longer to obtain.
Ensure that all documents are in the correct format (usually PDF) and meet size requirements. Having these documents ready beforehand will help you avoid delays.
4. Submit Your Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR): Log in to your online account and fill out the eAPR form with detailed information about your background, work history, and travel history.
Upload all the required documents as per the personalised checklist generated by the system. Double-check to ensure all information is accurate and complete to avoid your application being rejected.
Pay the processing fees and biometric fees (if applicable). The processing fee is CAD 550 per adult applicant, and the right of permanent residence fee is CAD 500.
5. Biometrics and Additional Information: After submitting your application, you will receive a letter to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) if you haven’t done so already. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to provide your biometrics.
IRCC may also request additional documents or information, so keep an eye on your online account for updates and respond promptly.
6. Wait for a Decision: The processing time for your application may vary, but you can expect updates through your online account. If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and instructions on how to complete the landing process in Canada.
It’s crucial to keep your profile information up-to-date and accurate throughout this process. Any changes in your circumstances, such as changes in family composition or job status, should be reported to IRCC immediately.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the BC PNP Draw can be your gateway to a promising future in British Columbia. Make sure to follow the steps outlined in this guide to maximise your chances of success.
Have you applied for the BC PNP Draw, or are you planning to? Share your experiences and questions in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
