Get in touch

Use this as Whatsapp number

Why British Columbia PNP?

1+ million job openings in the next 10 years
High demand for Tech and Healthcare professionals
Minimum CRS score required to get the ITA is 85
Invited 100,000+ immigrants in 2022
Holds 4 targeted draws every month

About British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of the 10 Canadian provinces. The province is also one of the last regions in North America to be explored and settled subsequently. While Yukon and the Northwest Territories lie to the north of the province, the US states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana lie towards the south. Alberta makes another neighbor on the east side. Most of the western side of British Columbia is taken up by the Pacific Ocean.

British Columbia is known for its diversity of climate and scenery that is unparalleled anywhere throughout Canada. While the British Columbian society is one of the more British of the Canadian provinces, British Columbia is also one of the most ethnically diverse provinces in Canada.

BC is among the most urbanized Canadian provinces. Around 80% of its residents live in urban areas, with a majority living within the Vancouver metropolitan area itself. As the population is concentrated within a comparatively small area, British Columbia is of the least densely populated provinces in Canada.

“Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia.”

The prominent cities in British Columbia include:

Vancouver
Delta
Surrey
Burnaby
Kelowna
Langley District Municipality
Coquitlam
Richmond
Abbotsford

British Columbia is a part of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The British Columbia PNP program – the BC Provincial Nominee Program [BC PNP] – offers a pathway for high-demand foreign workers, international graduates as well as experienced entrepreneurs for acquiring permanent residency in BC.

British Columbia PNP Streams

There are three main streams that an individual can apply under British Columbia PNP. Each of the streams is again divided into categories.

Skills Immigration Stream
Express Entry British Columbia Stream
Entrepreneur Immigration

Skills Immigration Stream

This is specifically designed for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates & post-graduates and Entry-level and Semi-skilled workers. The Skills Immigration Stream is divided into 5 categories:

Category	Job offer required?	Currently, accepting applications?	Requirements
Skilled Worker	Yes (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3)	Yes	2 years of work experience as a skilled professional
Healthcare Professional	Yes	Yes	2 years of work experience as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals.
International Graduate	Yes	Yes	Should be graduated from an eligible university or college in the last three years.
International Post-Graduate	Not required	Yes	Should have 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	Yes	Should have work experience in tourism, food processing, or long-haul trucking or must be living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia

Express Entry British Columbia

To apply for the Express Entry BC stream, candidates need to check the following requirements as per the categories:

Category	Job offer required?	Currently, accepting applications?	Requirements
Skilled Worker	Yes	Yes	2 years of work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3
Healthcare Professional	Yes	Yes	2 years of work experience as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals, or a midwife with a letter of confirmation from an established practice group in B.C.
International Graduate	Yes	Yes	Should be graduated from an eligible university or college in the last three years.
International Post-Graduate	No	Yes	Should have a Master’s or PhD from a B.C. university in the natural, applied or health sciences programs of study.

Entrepreneur Immigration

This stream has three different categories, which include:

Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category
Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
Strategic Projects Category

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FACTORS	MAX POINTS
Economic Factors – 110 Points
Skill Level of the B.C. Job Offer	50
Wage of the B.C. Job Offer	50
Regional District of Employment	10
Human Capital Factors – 80 Points
Directly Related Work Experience	25
Highest Level of Education	25
Language	30
GRAND TOTAL	190

*Out of 190 minimum points required is 85.

STEPS TO APPLY

STEP 1: Check your eligibility through Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points Calculator.

STEP 2: Select the BC PNP stream

STEP 3: Arrange the checklist of requirements

STEP 4: Apply for BC PNP

STEP 5: Migrate to British Columbia, Canada

Processing times

BC PNP stream	Processing time
Skills Immigration Stream	2 – 3 Months
Express Entry BC	2 – 3 Months
Entrepreneur Immigration Stream	4 Months

British Columbia PNP Draws in 2023

Month	Streams	No. of draws	No. of candidates
March	Skills Immigration Stream Express Entry British Columbia Stream Entrepreneur Immigration	4	975
February	Skills Immigration Stream Express Entry British Columbia Stream Entrepreneur Immigration	4	909
January	Skills Immigration Stream Express Entry British Columbia Stream Entrepreneur Immigration	5	1,122
Total		13	3,006

HOW CAN Y-AXIS HELP YOU?

Y-Axis, the world’s best overseas immigration consultancy, provides unbiased immigration services for every client based on their interests and requirements. The impeccable services of Y-Axis include the following:

Free eligibility check through Canada Immigration Points Calculator
Expert guidance/counseling for Canada Immigration
Coaching services: Expert CELPIP coaching, IELTS proficiency Coaching
Free career counseling; book your slot today
Complete guidance for Canada PR visa
Job search services to find jobs in British Columbia

FAQ

What is the BC PNP’s Skills Immigration [SI] pathway?

The SI of the BC PNP offers a pathway to Canada PR for those with the skills, experience as well as qualifications required by the employers within British Columbia.

Do I need a valid job offer to register for the SI of the BC PNP?

Generally, a valid job offer – for a full-time, permanent job with an eligible BC employer – will be needed.
However, a job offer is not required if applying under the SI – International Post-Graduate category.

What is the SIRS?

SIRS stands for the Skills Immigration Registration System [SIRS], an online points-based application system

Why does the BC PNP use the SIRS?

With a limited number of nominations allotted by IRCC annually, often the volume of applications received might exceed the nomination spaces available.

The SIRS allows BC PNP to ensure that –

Candidate selection is as per the requirements of the local labour market, and
All applications that are received are processed without the need to stop accepting applications.

SIRS is flexible, transparent and manages BC PNP applications in an efficient manner.

How do I register with the BC PNP for Skills Immigration?

Begin by creating a profile with BC PNP Online and registering for the categories of Skilled Worker, International Graduate, or Entry Level and Semi-Skilled.

Is SIRS mandatory for all categories under BC PNP’s skills Immigration?

Not required if applying under SI – Healthcare Professional or SI – International Post-Graduate categories. Such individuals can directly apply via BC PNP Online.

What is assessed by the BC PNP for SIRS score?

The SIRS assesses [1] key economic factors that include – NOC skill level of job, annual wage being offered, and location of job in BC; [2] factors that affect ability of settling in BC such as proficiency in the English language, a higher level of education etc.

Am I automatically entitled to work in BC if the BC PNP nominates me for Canada PR?

No. A BC PNP nomination for Canada PR does not provide the nominee with the legal status to work in BC. An application will have to be made to IRCC for Canada work permit.

What is Express Entry BC?

Linked with the federal Express Entry system, the EEBC stream of the BC PNP offers an expedited pathway for a skilled worker to acquire permanent residence in British Columbia.

How many can be invited annually by the BC PNP?

The frequency and number is as per the annual allocation by IRSS. The number of invitations that are issued by the BC PNP will also depend on their ability for ensuring timely processing of applications.

What is an ECA?

An Educational Credential Assessment [ECA] will be required as verification that an individual’s foreign degree or diploma etc. is valid and equivalent to Canadian credentials.