British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Skills Immigration

BC PNP Skills Immigration is divided into the following categories:

Skilled Worker Category 

This category is for individuals who have received an eligible job offer in a skilled occupation. Workers are expected to have several years of experience in their skilled occupation.

Healthcare Professional Category 

Under this category individuals with experience and eligible job offers, as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals may apply. An eligible job offer must be acquired for one of 11 qualifying health occupations.

International Graduate Category 

This category is for individuals who have graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college in the last three years. A job offer must be obtained from a BC employer to be eligible under this sub-category.

International Post-Graduate Category

 This category is for graduates with Masters or Doctoral degrees from an eligible educational institution in British Columbia in the natural, applied, or health sciences programs of study. No job offer is required to apply under this sub-category.

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category 

Workers in certain entry-level or semi-skilled positions in tourism/hospitality, food processing, or long-haul trucking, or those in entry-level or semi-skilled positions living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia, may be eligible for immigration through this program.

Minimum Requirements:

• have accepted a full-time, indeterminate job offer (the job offer must not be temporary or have a defined end date) from a B.C. employer. The job must be in a skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) 
• be qualified to perform the duties of the job
• have a minimum of two years of full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience in any skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3)
• show you can support yourself and your dependants
• have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
• for NOC TEER 2 or 3 occupations, meet minimum language requirements
• have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation

How it works:

You must first register with the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) so that B.C. can review your job, education, location in B.C., language ability and wage against the provincial labour market needs. You can register by completing all the sections of the registration with BCPNP Online. 

Note: Candidates for the International Post-Graduate Category and the Healthcare Professional Category do not need to register with the SIRS and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

You will then get a registration score based on multiple factors and are entered into a selection pool for the chosen category. Those who meet specific criteria and who have a score above a certain threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in a provincial draw.

After that, candidates will have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.

If you receive a provincial nomination, you can then apply for permanent residence with the Canadian federal government.

Express Entry British Columbia

Express Entry BC aligns with the federal government’s Express Entry immigration selection system, allowing eligible applicants to receive priority processing of both their BC PNP application and if nominated, their permanent residence application.

The following Skills Immigration categories may be processed through Express Entry British Columbia:

• Skilled Worker Category
• Health Care Professional Category
• International Graduate Category
• International Post-Graduate Category

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have a valid profile with the federal Express Entry system;
• Must have a Job Seeker Validation Code from the Express Entry system;
• Must have accepted a full-time job offer (except for the International Post-Graduate Category)
• Must have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates (except for the International Post-Graduate Category);
• Must be able to support yourself and your family (except for the International Post-Graduate Category);
• Must meet minimum language requirements (except for the International Post-Graduate Category);
• Must meet additional requirements specific to your category;
• Employer must also be eligible (except for the International Post-Graduate Category).

How it works:

Before you begin, you must already have a valid Express Entry profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

You must then register with the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) so that B.C. can review your job, education, location in B.C., language ability and wage against the provincial labour market needs. You can register by completing all the sections of the registration with BCPNP Online. Note: Candidates for the International Post-Graduate Category and the Healthcare Professional Category do not need to register with the SIRS and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

You will then get a registration score based on multiple factors and are entered into a selection pool for the chosen category. Those who meet specific criteria and who have a score above a certain threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in a provincial draw.

After that, candidates will have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.

If you are selected, you will receive a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system. You are required to accept the nomination through the Express Entry system.

Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)

Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is a points-based system gives candidates a registration score that determines whether they may be invited to apply. The score is based on a number of factors — such as level of education, years of direct work experience and a B.C. employment offer — that reflect an individual’s ability to succeed in the labour market and contribute to the provincial economy.

How does the SIRS work?

To apply for most BC PNP immigration categories, potential candidates must first register for free to the SIRS by completing all sections of the online registration. An offer of indeterminate, full-time employment* from a B.C. employer is necessary before registering to the SIRS. 

Candidates may proceed with the registration if they and their employer meet the program requirements and the employer is prepared to support the application process. Once registration is complete, a candidate is assigned a registration score based on an assessment of the offer of employment, location in B.C., education, language ability and wage.

By registering to the SIRS, candidates are making an expression of interest to apply to the BC PNP for a provincial nomination; they are not yet applying for permanent residence. 

A candidate’s registration score determines whether or not a candidate will be issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. Periodically, the BC PNP conducts draws to invite the highest-scoring registrants under each category to apply for a provincial nomination.

Please note the following BC PNP categories do not require candidates to register to the SIRS. Individuals interested in applying to these categories may apply directly via BC PNP Online. 

• Skills Immigration – Health Care Professional
• Skills Immigration – International Post-Graduate
• Express Entry BC – Health Care Professional
• Express Entry BC – International Post-Graduate

A registration into the SIRS is not an application to the BC PNP or a guarantee that a candidate will be invited to apply.

If a candidate is invited to submit an application to the BC PNP, he or she will then be asked to pay a fee as part of the online application process.

The BC PNP reserves the right to make changes to the SIRS without prior notice, including changes to the scoring grids, the length of time a registration can remain in the selection pool, and the number and frequency of invitations to apply issued.

A candidate’s registration will be assessed according to the scoring factors applicable at the time of submission.

*Candidates considered under the BC PNP Tech Pilot are exempt from the “indeterminate job offer” requirement.

Registration Scoring Factors

The factors outlined below determine the number of points allocated to a candidate who has registered under SIRS. If and when a candidate is invited to apply, all the information provided in the registration will be verified against the information provided in the application.

Human Capital Factors

1.      Directly related work experience

2) Highest level of education

3) Language

You may be eligible for additional points if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you have completed both a valid English and French language proficiency test within the past two years
• you scored CLB 4 or higher in each of the four competencies on both tests
• you provide a copy of your valid English and French language proficiency tests at application

Economic Factors

Hourly wage of the B.C. job offer

Area of employment within B.C. 

Invitations to Apply

Candidates who have entered the selection pool will be ranked alongside other registrants in the chosen category. Periodically, the BC PNP will invite candidates from the selection pool for each category to apply. The number and frequency of Invitations to Apply is based on annual nomination allocations and processing capacity.

Candidates who are invited to apply will have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application via the BC PNP online system. Candidates who are invited to apply but do not submit a complete application within 30 days will have their registration removed from the selection pool and invitation cancelled.

An invitation to apply does not guarantee that an application will be approved for nomination.

The BC PNP may refuse an application if:

• the information in the registration is different from the information submitted in the application;
• the candidate is not eligible to receive the points assigned to him or her at the time of registration; or
• the application does not meet applicable category requirements in effect at the time the application was made.

Candidates who have not been invited to apply within 12 months of registration will be automatically removed from the selection pool. A new registration may be made at this point.

Application and Nomination Decision

Candidates who are invited to apply will have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application via the BC PNP online system. If the application is approved, candidates then have six months from the date of confirmation of the provincial nomination to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent resident status.

Candidates who have obtained a provincial nomination from the BC PNP may be eligible to receive a work permit support letter so that they can apply to IRCC to obtain or renew a work permit to start or continue working in B.C. for their employer while awaiting the decision on their permanent residence application.

The BC PNP may only accept requests for work permit support letters to provincial nominees if ALL of the following conditions are met:

• The candidate has been nominated by the BC PNP;
• The candidate has submitted an application for permanent residence to IRCC within the six-month period after he or she was nominated;
• The candidate continues to meet the conditions of nomination; and
• The candidate’s current work permit expires within 120 days.

The BC PNP cannot apply for a work permit on behalf of a candidate. The candidate must apply to IRCC for his or her own work permit and include the BC PNP work permit support letter with the work permit application.

Entrepreneur Immigration.

BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) is a way for international entrepreneurs wishing to immigrate to British Columbia (B.C.) to set up businesses that support innovation and economic growth in the province.

Entrepreneur Immigration is a “temporary to permanent” immigration pathway. That means that if you are approved, you will initially come to B.C. as a temporary resident, and then apply to stay permanently once you have successfully started a business.

Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category 

This category is for senior managers or business owners who intend to invest funds into a proposed business in British Columbia.

Eligibility

Personal requirements

• personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000
• business and/or management experience; if no business experience, must have the equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma
• basic English or French language skill equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher
• have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live
• have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Business, job and investment requirements

• establish an eligible new business or buy and improve an existing business
• make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business
• create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Process

1. Prepare a business proposal
2. Register your proposal with the BC PNP
3. Get a work permit
4. Build your business
5. BC PNP nomination
6. Permanent Residence 

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot 

This new pilot is for international entrepreneurs looking to establish a new business in a small community in British Columbia.

The EI Regional Pilot was introduced in March 2019 and has been extended to March 31, 2024.

Eligibility

• establish an eligible new business aligned with the priorities of the referring community
• show business and/or management experience
• have a personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000
• make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$100,000 in the business
• create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4
• have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
• have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live

If you meet the criteria and have the experience that the community is seeking, you can connect directly with the designated community contact identified in the community’s profile page to learn more.
 
You can view the full list of participating communities below and on the community profiles pages.

Strategic Projects Category 

Through this category, foreign-controlled companies can set up an operation in British Columbia. Up to five key foreign managerial, professional or technical staff members can be nominated for permanent residence in the province.

Eligibility

The foreign corporation must:

• make a minimum equity investment of at least $500,000 directed toward the corporation’s operations in B.C.
• establish new or purchase and expand an eligible business in B.C.
• create at least three new full-time equivalent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff)

What is the application process?

Step 1: Make an exploratory visit to B.C.

We encourage senior executives representing the company to visit B.C. to explore and learn more about opportunities and the local business environment.

Step 2: Discuss your proposal

Before applying to the Strategic Projects stream, the company must first contact the BC PNP to discuss the business proposal. 

Step 3: Register

The company must register expressing the company’s interest to apply. As part of the registration, the company will be asked to provide the following:

• company details
• proposed investment in B.C.
• ​proposed key staff qualifications

Please contact the BC PNP for further details on submitting a Strategic Projects registration.
There is a registration processing fee of $300.

Step 4: Invitation to apply

BC PNP will review the registration and determine if the foreign corporation is eligible to apply.

If invited to apply, the company must submit a full application within 90 days. The invitation to apply will expire after 90 days; the corporation may choose to submit a new registration. 

Step 5: Applying to the BC PNP

The company must submit all the required forms as a single complete application package including key staff forms and other supporting documentation. The application processing fee is $3,500 for the company and an additional $1,000 for each key staff proposed.

BC PNP will review the application for completeness, ask the foreign corporation clarifying questions and request additional documentation. As part of the application assessment process, each key staff member may be invited to attend an in-person interview at the BC PNP offices in Vancouver.

A decision will be made regarding the application and communicated to the company.

Step 6: Signing Performance Agreements

If the application is approved, the company’s designated signing authority signs a corporate Performance Agreement with the Province of B.C. Each approved key staff member will also be required to sign a Performance Agreement. 

Step 7: Work Permit & Arrival Report

BC PNP  will issue a work permit support letter to each approved key staff member so they can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit. This work permit support letter is valid for 90 days.

After signing their Performance Agreement, each key staff must arrive in B.C. with their valid work permit within 180 days (6 months) from the date of issuance of their work permit support letter.

Within 60 days (2 months) of arriving in B.C., each key staff must submit a completed arrival report form to the BC PNP.

Step 8: Business Establishment & Nomination

After fulfilling its obligations under the executed Performance Agreement, the foreign corporation must submit a final report to the BC PNP to demonstrate how the company has met the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement. BC PNP  will review the report, and may conduct site visits or interviews to verify information.

If the company has met the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement, each key staff member who has satisfied the terms and conditions of his/her Performance Agreement will be nominated for permanent residence.

Step 9: Apply for Permanent Residence

Each key staff must submit their application for permanent residence to IRCC within 180 days from the date of nomination.