British Columbia Immigration

British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. With an estimated population of 5 million as of 2019, it is Canada’s third-most populous province. British Columbia is  home of Canada’s third largest city, Vancouver. B.C is leading the country in economic growth, and continues to rely on economic immigration to meet labour market demand.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)

The BC Provincial Nominee Program offers three streams to become a permanent resident in B.C. Each pathway contains different categories you can apply under, depending on your National Occupational Classification skill level, job, or international student status. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) aims to accelerate the process for those wishing to obtain Canadian permanent resident status and who intend to settle permanently in British Columbia.

The program is operated by the British Columbia government in partnership with the federal immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There is a two part process, one is to  apply for nomination to the provincial government, and then, if nominated, second is to apply for permanent residence to the federal government.

IRCC allocates to BC PNP a limited number of nominations each year.

BC-PNP News

The Skills Immigration (SI) category targets skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in BC and is further divided into five components:

EEBC — SKILLED WORKER

British Columbia’s growing economy requires skilled workers in high-demand occupations. The Express Entry BC (EEBC) – Skilled Worker category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a faster way to gain permanent residence in B.C.

To qualify, you must first accept a valid job offer from a B.C. employer. You also need relevant training and experience.

Express Entry BC connects to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for this category, you must:

  • have received an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code from the IRCC Express Entry system. This shows you meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s Express Entry programs:
  • have accepted a full-time, indeterminate job offer (a permanent job, or one with no set end date) from a B.C. employer. The job must be in a National Occupational Classification skilled occupation  (Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B).
  • qualify to work in your  job in B.C.
  • have at least two (2) years of directly related work experience
  • show you can support yourself and your dependents
  • have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
  • meet minimum language requirements
  • have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation

Is my employer eligible?

Your employer must be willing to support your application. They must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfill certain responsibilities during the application process. View the employer requirements.

How does it work?

To start the process, please create a profile with our online application and registration system, BCPNP Online. After submitting your registration, you will receive a score based on your skills and job. Periodically, we invite people with the highest scores to apply through BCPNP Online.

EEBC — HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

British Columbia needs more health care professionals. The Express Entry BC (EEBC) – Healthcare Professional category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) helps physicians, specialists, nurses and allied health professionals put your valuable skills to work in the province and get permanent residence.

Express Entry BC connects to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.

Find opportunities in B.C.

Health Match BC is a free health recruitment and placement service. It can help you find a job in your field with one of B.C.’s health authorities. Health Match BC staff can also answer your questions about the BC PNP and assist you with your application.

Find a health care job through Health Match BC.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for this category, you must:

  • have received an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code from the IRCC Express Entry system. This shows you meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s Express Entry programs:
  • have the support of, or a full-time, indeterminate job offer (a permanent job, or one with no set end date) from a public health authority as a:
    • physician
    • specialist
    • registered nurse
    • registered psychiatric nurse
    • nurse practitioner
    • allied health professional such as a:
      • diagnostic medical sonographer
      • clinical pharmacist
      • medical laboratory technologist
      • medical radiation technologist
      • occupational therapist
      • physiotherapist
  • if you are a midwife, have a letter of confirmation from an established practice group in B.C.
  • qualify to work in your occupation in B.C.
  • have at least two (2) years of directly related work experience
  • show you can support yourself and your dependents
  • have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
  • meet minimum language requirements
  • have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation

Is my employer eligible?

Your employer must be willing to support your application. They must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfill certain responsibilities during the application process. View the employer requirements.

How does it work?

To start the process, please create a profile with our online application system, BCPNP Online. As a Healthcare Professional applicant, you can submit an Express Entry BC application directly via BCPNP Online.

EEBC — INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE

Did you graduate with a valid qualification from an eligible Canadian university or college within the last three years? The Express Entry BC (EEBC) – International Graduate category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) can help you gain permanent residence in B.C.

Express Entry BC connects to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for this category, you must:

  • have received an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code from the IRCC Express Entry system. This shows you meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s Express Entry programs:
  • have accepted a full-time, indeterminate job offer (a permanent job, or one with no set end date) from a B.C. employer. The job must be in a National Occupational Classification skilled occupation  (Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B)
  • qualify to work in your occupation in B.C.
  • show you can support yourself and your dependents
  • have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
  • have completed a degree, diploma or certificate from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada in the past three years
  • meet minimum language requirements
  • have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation

Is my employer eligible?

Your employer must be willing to support your application. They must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfill certain responsibilities during the application process. View the employer requirements.

How does it work?

To start the process, please create a profile with our online application and registration system, BCPNP Online. After submitting your registration, we will give you a score based on your skills and job. Periodically, we invite people with the highest scores to apply through BCPNP Online.

EEBC — INTERNATIONAL POST-GRADUATE

Do you have a graduate degree in the sciences from an eligible B.C. institution? Consider advancing your career in B.C.’s growing technology, health care, and applied sciences sectors.

The Express Entry BC (EEBC) – International Post-Graduate category of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) can help you gain permanent residence in B.C. You don’t need a job offer.

Express Entry BC connects to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.

Which graduate degrees are valid?

You must have graduated in the last three years with a master’s or doctorate (PhD) degree in the natural, applied or health sciences:

  • agriculture
  • biological and biomedical sciences
  • computer and information sciences and support services
  • engineering
  • engineering technology
  • health professions and related clinical sciences
  • mathematics and statistics
  • natural resources conservation and research
  • physical sciences

Please see the BC PNP IPG & EEBC IPG Eligible Programs of Study Document (PDF, 1MB) for a complete listing of eligible programs of study.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for this category, you must:

  • have received an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code from the IRCC Express Entry system. This shows you meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s Express Entry programs:
  • have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
  • have completed a valid graduate program of study at an eligible post-secondary institution in B.C. in the last three years.
  • show your intent and ability to live in B.C.

How does it work?

To start the process, please create a profile with our online application system, BCPNP Online. As an International Post-Graduate applicant, you can submit an Express Entry BC application directly via BCPNP Online.

The BC PNP Tech Pilot

The BC PNP Tech Pilot allows British Columbia immigration officials to expedite the processing of immigration candidates for in-demand technology occupations.

Through weekly draws, invitations are issued to candidates with work experience in one of 29 eligible occupations in the BC technology sector.

The BC PNP Tech Pilot prioritizes technology sector applications under existing BC immigration streams. Candidates must still meet the basic requirements of an applicable British Columbia immigration category or stream, including a minimum one-year job offer from a B.C. employer.

Eligible categories: Skilled Workers, Healthcare Professionals, International Graduates, International Post-Graduates and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Workers.

Targeted occupations

The BC PNP awards additional points for candidates whose occupation appears on the list of high demand occupations published in BC Labour Market Outlook 2018 Edition.

BC PNP Draws

The BC PNP issues periodic Invitations to Apply to candidates for nomination under one of BC PNP’s eligible streams:

  • Skills Immigration: Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
  • Express Entry BC: Skilled Worker, International Graduate
  • Entrepreneur Immigration

History of BC PNP Draws

Processing times

The BC PNP estimates a processing time of 2-3 months for nomination applications under Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC.

For applications under Entrepreneur Immigration, the BC PNP estimates a 6-week processing time from the date of registration, for the Registration Score Notification stage. Another 4-week processing time must be calculated from the date of submission of supplication until the decision notification (at work permit stage).

At the federal level, IRCC currently processes provincial non-Express Entry nominee applications within 15-19 months. For the Express Entry streams, the general average of 6 months applies.