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British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

British Columbia is the western-most 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 a 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 in the provincial capital.

Other prominent cities in British Columbia include – Vancouver, Delta, Surrey, Burnaby, Kelowna, Langley District Municipality, Coquitlam, Richmond, and 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.

There are three main categories that an individual might apply to British Columbia PNP under. Each of them has different immigration pathways or ‘streams’ available.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program streams available
Categories	About	Streams
Skills Immigration [SI]	For foreign nationals that have the qualifications, skills, and work experience in demand with the employers in the province.	SI – Skilled Worker
		SI – Healthcare Professional
		SI –International Graduate
		SI – International Post-Graduate
		SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
Express Entry BC	Aligned with the federal Express Entry system. The BC PNP goes through the pool of candidates available and issues invitations to the candidates found to be most suitable.	EEBC – Skilled Worker
		EEBC – Healthcare Professional
		EEBC – International Graduate
		EEBC – International Post-Graduate
Entrepreneur Immigration [EI]	For experienced businesspeople that wish to start a business in British Columbia as well as settle down in the province.	EI – Base Category
		EI – Regional Pilot
		Strategic Projects [for corporations]

British Columbia has a high reliance on economic immigration for promoting as well as sustaining growth in the local markets.

Tech talent is in high demand in British Columbia. Extended until June 2021, the BC PNP Tech Pilot offers an expedited British Columbia immigration pathway to skilled workers with job offers in any of the 29 key tech occupations.

For being considered for a nomination by British Columbia, the first part of the process is that of informing the provincial government of the intent to settle down in Canada within the province.

This intent is conveyed through registration with the Skills Immigration Registration System [SIRS], an online points-based application management system of the BC PNP.

It is through the SIRS that BC selects in-demand workers that are the most appropriate match for helping the province meet their labour market requirements.

A registration score is allotted by the SIRS when an immigration candidate submits their profile through the portal.

This is also referred to as the SIRS score.

The SIRS score is calculated based on the applicant’s education, work experience, language ability, job offer, and the location of their job in British Columbia.

It is at the time of creating a profile with the BC PNP Online that the applicant will be required to register for either of the categories – Skilled Worker, International Graduate, or Entry Level and Semi-Skilled.

No SIRS registration will be required for those applying through the International Post-Graduate or Healthcare Professional categories.

Such candidates can apply directly via the BC PNP Online.

Candidates with the highest registration scores are issued invitations, instructing them regarding the steps to be taken for submitting an application for a provincial nomination through the BC PNP.

Those receiving invitations to apply for a provincial nomination will have up to 30 calendar days for submitting their complete application.

The total number and frequency of invitations issued are to be determined by the annual allocation for nominations as well as the present processing capacity of the BC PNP.

Difference between EEBC and SI
EEBC	SI
Online application process	Paper application process
Aligned with the federal Express Entry system	Not aligned with the federal Express Entry system
Expedited processing by IRCC	IRCC processing time differs from that of the EEBC
Only for skilled occupations that come under Skill Level 0, A and B of the National Occupational Classification [NOC].	For all skilled occupations – Skill Level 0, A, B, C and D of the NOC.
Applicants to meet minimum criteria for any one of the 3* programs that come under the Express Entry System of Canada.	While prior work experience not mandatory for some categories, work experience might benefit an application.

*The Federal Worker Program [FSWP], the Federal Skilled Trades Program [FSTP], and the Canadian Experience Class [CEC].

In 2020, a total of 9,310 Canada immigration candidates received invitations from British Columbia through the BC PNP categories of SI and EEBC.

BC PNP draws in 2021 Skills Immigration [SI] Express Entry [EEBC] Entrepreneur Immigration [EI]
Date	Invitations issued	Categories	Details
January 5, 2021	168	SI and EEBC	Certain occupations excluded.
January 12, 2021	80	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
January 19, 2021	195	SI and EEBC	Certain occupations excluded.
January 26, 2021	81	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
February 2, 2021	208	SI and EEBC	Certain occupations excluded.
February 2, 2021	8	EI	Base Category
February 9, 2021	74	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
February 16, 2021	35	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
February 16, 2021	459	SI and EEBC	Temporary suspension on 31 occupations lifted. Effective February 16, 2021, the BC PNP resumed issuing ITAs to the 31 occupations previously excluded from draws.
February 23, 2021	87	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
March 2, 2021	26	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers.
March 2, 2021	418	SI and EEBC	Included the 31 occupations previously excluded due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
March 9, 2021	95	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
March 16, 2021	78	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
March 16, 2021	428	SI and EEBC	–
March 23, 2021	95	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
March 30, 2021	44	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
March 30, 2021	330	SI and EEBC	–
April 6, 2021	80	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
April 13, 2021	21	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
	420	SI and EEBC	–
	6	EI	Base Category
	5	EI	Regional Pilot
April 20, 2021	90	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
April 27, 2021	14	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
April 27, 2021	348	SI and EEBC	–
May 4, 2021	83	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
May 11, 2021	48	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
May 11, 2021	331	SI and EEBC	–
May 18, 2021	82	SI and EEBC	Tech Pilot draw
May 25, 2021	47	SI and EEBC	Invitations issued only to – NOC 0621: Retail and wholesale trade managers, and NOC 0631: Restaurant and food service managers. [Note. – This draw was conducted separately.]
May 25, 2021	323	SI and EEBC	–

Y-Axis Can Help You With

Qualification / Education Assessment
Customized Document Checklist and critical document templates
Guidance on key documentation requirements
Filing of an online application form to create a profile for Invitation

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.