Of course, British Columbia immigration programs provide the best opportunities for those seeking permanent residency in Canada.
In fact, for people with almost all major occupations, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) is a very effective way to work and settle in Canada.
BC PNP is a combination of many sub-categories, in which candidates can apply according to their profile, i.e. education and work experience, etc.
Therefore, Canadian province of British Columbia selects applicants based on their eligibility and program requirements and issues their Provincial Nomination. Then, nominees apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Main Pathways for British Columbia immigration programs
For foreign nationals, the BC PNP deals with three ways to apply for a permanent resident. For example;
- Skills Immigration
- Express Entry BC
- Entrepreneur Immigration
Hence, each way contains diverse categories. Thus, you can apply under any pathway, depending on your qualification. So let’s cover some basic information about this Canadian province before moving on.
British Columbia Canada–Why immigrate there?
You’ve probably heard of Vancouver. Vancouver, the favorite city of immigrants from around the world, it is in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Besides, British Columbia is a western province in Canada. It has a border by the United States to the south and Alberta to the east. The economy of British Columbia is a combination, and the major industries are;
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Forestry
- Fishing
- Services
- Healthcare
Thus, British Columbia is an eccentric place to live, work, and study. Therefore, people from around the world have settled here permanently.
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program – Categories
Now, let’s look at the three major categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program and the streams within them. Also, let’s look at the requirements to apply.
1-British Columbia Skills Immigration & Streams
BC Skills Immigration (SI) aims at foreign nationals who have the skills which are in high demand in the province. Above all, for Provincial Nomination, they select candidates under the points system.
- Skilled Worker
- BC Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker
- British Columbia Healthcare Professional
- BC International Post-Graduate
- International Graduate
We now look at the qualifications and other requirements for all these streams. So, you can easily choose the right program for you.
Skilled Worker Eligibility–Overview
- Skill Level: 0, A & B
- Job Offer: Yes (full time)
- Work Experience: 02 Years
- Proof of Funds: Yes
- Language: IELTS 4 (minimum) for skill type B
BC Healthcare Professional Eligibility–Overview.
- Job Offer: Yes (full time)
- Work Experience: 02 Years
- Proof of Funds: Yes
- Language: IELTS 4 (minimum) for skill type B
Eligible Occupations: BC Healthcare Professional
| Physician | Specialist | Registered nurse | Registered psychiatric nurse |
| Nurse practitioner | Allied health professional | Diagnostic medical sonographer | Clinical pharmacist |
| Medical laboratory technologist | Medical radiation technologist | Occupational therapist | Physiotherapist |
BC International Post-Graduate Eligibility–Overview
Candidates must have graduated in the last three years from an eligible B.C. institution. They should have a master’s or doctorate (Ph.D.) Degree in the applied natural or health sciences. For example:
- 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
BC Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Eligibility–Overview
- Eligible NOCs: C & D
- Work Experience Areas: Food processing, hospitality, tourism, and long-haul trucking
- Language: IELTS 4 (minimum)
- Education: High school (12 Years)
International Graduate Eligibility–Overview
- Eligible NOCs: 0, A & B
- Education: Graduates (from Canadian universities or Collages)
- Language: IELTS 4 (minimum) for skill type B
- Job offer: Yes.
2. Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC)
How express entry candidates can apply for BC PNP?
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program also offers candidates in the Express Entry Pool the opportunity for a fast-track PR process.
For certain streams, if the candidate gets a job offer from an employer in the province. Afterward, the candidate can start the process of permanent residency by getting a provincial nomination from British Columbia. For example;
- Skilled Worker EE BCPNP
- Healthcare Professional EE BCPNP
- International Graduate, EE BCPNP
- International Post Graduate EE BCPNP
Eligibility and requirements are different for each category. Therefore, if you are in the express entry pool and would like to apply to any of the above British Columbia streams. So, visit the British Columbia Immigration Official Program Page for more details.
Also Read: Canada Express Entry Types – How to apply?
3. Entrepreneur Immigration British Columbia
The Entrepreneur Immigration program is for businesspersons who want to establish a business in British Columbia. It is a point-based invitation system. Candidates need to have investment and personal funds to apply.
The program has several sub-categories, aimed at providing immigration opportunities to small, large, and medium-sized businesses. So, if you want to know more details and requirements, visit the official page of this program.
BC Tech Pilot Program – Overview
British Columbia introduced the Tech Pilot Program in 2017 to address labor shortages in its industrial sector. Thus, people from 29 professions in the technology sector can apply through this program. However, the pilot program is valid until June 2021.
Therefore, be sure to visit the official website of British Columbia Immigration to find out if this program continues later.
BC TECH PILOT–General Eligibility / Best features
- NOCs: 29 in-demand occupations
- Job Offer: Yes.
- LMIA: NO
- Work permit support Letter option: Yes.
- Weekly invitations: Yes.
Here is a list of 29 in-demand occupations for the tech pilot program.
How Can I find a Job in British Columbia?
Of course, for almost all streams of British Columbia PNP, the job offer is the basic requirement. Therefore, many people may wonder how to find a job in British Columbia?
In this view, the most effective means is the province’s job board where many employers and companies keep posting the jobs. Also, there are many other online job portals where you can search for vacancies and submit your Canadian-style resume. For example;
How to apply for British Columbia immigration programs?
The province’s nomination program is so comprehensive that it is difficult for many to understand. In contrast, the way to apply to programs in this Canadian province is very simple. Therefore, after receiving a job offer, there are four basic steps to apply, such as;
Step- 01
So, go to the official page of the program you want to apply for and click on BCPNP Online there. Then, complete the registration process and create your profile. Thus, that way, you’ll be entering the British Columbia Immigration Program selection pool.
Step-02
So, for Invitation (ITA), the province selects the candidates from the pool based on a point system. Also, for this, there are 200 points in total.
Furthermore, British Columbia Immigration organizes time-to-time draws to select candidates. However, candidates with 80 or more points usually receive an Invitation (ITA) from the province. See BC ITA draws details here.
In addition, to calculate BCPNP points, you need to refer to the program’s guide manual. Because, in this manual, the factors and how many points they have, all these details are given.
Step-03
Then, after receiving the Invitation (ITA) by email, the candidate has to apply for nomination. However, all the instructions for payment of fees and required documents are available in the invitation letter.
Step- 04
If so, your application is approved and you receive a Provincial Nomination from British Columbia. Afterward, you submit your permanent residency application to the IRCC, Canada’s official portal.
In the meantime, if you wish, you can apply for a Temporary Foreign Work Permit by taking a Work Permit Support Letter from the province.
BC PNP suitable options for overseas foreigners
In fact, many candidates wonder which stream of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee program they should apply to. And what is the best option for them?
So we have found the answer to this question. Therefore, candidates who are in a country other than Canada such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Gulf, but their occupation (NOC) falls in Canada’s Skill Type Zero, A or B. So, they can apply in these categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
1- Skilled Worker
2- BC TECH PILOT
3- HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
4- Entrepreneur Immigration program
In contrast, foreign nationals already in Canada (students, workers, Visitors, etc.) are eligible to apply to all BCPNP streams.
Conclusion
Of course, British Columbia immigration programs provide the best opportunity for people from around the world to settle in Canada. That’s why the program is so diverse for people from all walks of life. Therefore, each category has its requirements. Hence, be sure to visit the province’s immigration portal to find out the latest updates before applying.
