What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program?
British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) was designed to enable workers and experienced entrepreneurs who have the skills and qualifications to apply for permanent residence. British Columbia is dependent on these high-demand foreign workers to fill jobs so as to achieve labour market needs in order for the province’s economic growth to thrive.
The BC Skills Immigration Stream has the following streams Skilled Workers, Health Care Professionals, International Graduates, International Post Graduates and via Express Entry.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program offers four streams — the Opportunity Stream, the Express Entry Stream, the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, and the Self-Employed Farmer stream.
Skilled workers
To apply under this stream, you must:
- Have a Job Offer from a BC employer in an eligible occupation in NOC 0, A or B
- Have 2 years of related work experience
- Have the applicable credentials and qualifications
- Meet minimum language requirements for NOC B occupations
Health care professionals
This stream is limited to those who work within the medical profession.
To apply under this stream, you must:
- Have a Job Offer from a BC public health authority as a nurse, nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse, physician, specialist, midwife or allied health professionals
- Have 2 years of related work experience
- Have applicable licensing and registration
- Meet minimum language requirements for NOC B occupations
International post graduate
To apply under this stream, you must:
- Have graduated from an eligible masters or doctorate degree in BC within the past 3 years
- Have graduated in a program in natural, applied or health sciences
International graduate
To apply under this stream, you must:
- Have a Job Offer from a BC employer in an eligible occupation in NOC 0, A or B
- Have graduated from an 8+ month-long, full-time eligible post-secondary degree in Canada
- Apply within 3 years after degree was granted
- Meet minimum language requirements for NOC B occupations
BC PNP via Express Entry
To apply under this stream, you must:
The Express Entry BC Stream of the BC Provincial Nomination Program connects to the Federal Express Entry System. It is a faster way for eligible skilled workers to gain permanent residence in BC
Applicants who want to apply under any of the four streams above can do so if they meet the additional requirements:
- Meet the minimum criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker program, Federal Skilled Trades program or Canadian Experience Class
- Have an Express Entry profile number
- Have a job seeker code
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Workers
This program targets select occupations in hospitality and tourism, as well as long-haul trucking industries. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled applicants cannot take advantage of the Express Entry process.
To apply under this stream, you must:
- Have a Job Offer in NOC in tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, food processing. For the Northeast Development Region, all NOC C or D occupations are admissible (except Live-In Caregivers)
- Have worked full-time for your current BC employer on a valid Work Permit for at least 9 consecutive months before applying
- Have 2 years of experience in the 3 years before applying (in or outside of Canada) if applying as a long-haul trucker. You must also have a valid BC Class 1 driver’s licence and brake endorsement
- Have at least 12 years of formal education
- Prove income requirements for 9 consecutive months prior to applying
Nicola Wightman
Nicola Wightman is a regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Her professional immigration consultant number is R706497.
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