Updated: October 3rd, 2022
British Columbia (BC) is Canada’s westernmost province widely known for its Pacific coastline and mountain ranges. It is one of the most diverse provinces and is home to the country’s third-largest city, Vancouver. Vancouver is consistently listed as one of the world’s best cities to live in, making it ever popular with immigrants.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (British Columbia PNP, or BC PNP) is aimed at providing a fast-track service for permanent resident applications for experienced and skilled workers. It also caters to business people and their eligible family members to settle in BC permanently.
In addition, the British Columbia PNP was designed to attract foreign nationals with the necessary skills and experience targeted by the province. These foreign nationals include high-impact workers and entrepreneurs suitable for BC’s labour market and economic development priorities.
Foreign nationals applying through the BC PNP enjoy processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration programs, which is just one of the advantages of applying for permanent residence through the BC P
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, or BC PNP, creates immigration pathways for skilled workers who have the relevant work experience and training required to fill in-demand jobs in British Columbia.
The immigration process and registration for the BC PNP depend on which of the pathways you can apply for, this is determined by your:
Below are the 4 ways to immigrate to Canada under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program:
British Columbia PNP Categories:
BC Express Entry Stream |
BC Skills Immigration Stream |
BC Entrepreneur Stream |
BC Tech Pilot |
Those who successfully apply to immigrate to Canada through the program can get permanent residence when they receive a Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province. In order to qualify for all PNPs you will also need the following:
If you succeed in getting a nomination from the province, you, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children can apply for permanent residence in British Columbia.
This stream allows the province of British Columbia to nominate a specified number of candidates from the Express Entry system and is one of the fastest ways to get permanent residence in the province. This stream is broken into several other categories, namely the:
EE PNP Skilled Worker
This stream is for skilled foreign workers who have high-demand occupations and not only want to immigrate to British Columbia but want to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence quicker.
EE PNP Skilled Worker Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | Yes |
Connection to Province | No |
Job Offer | Yes |
Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB7 for FSWPand CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
Work Experience | At least 2 years of related work experience |
Age | Express Entry Requirements |
Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP International Graduate
This stream is for students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college in the last 3 years and want to live and work in British Columbia, Canada.
EE PNP International Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | Yes |
Connection to Province | Yes |
Job Offer | Yes (Skill Level 0, A or B) |
Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A - CLB 7; NOC B - CLB4) |
Level of Education | Tertiary qualification (degree, diploma, or certificate) from a Canadian institution in the past 3 years |
Work Experience | No |
Age | Express Entry Requirements |
Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP International Post Graduate
This stream is for students who have recently graduated from a BC university or college with a master’s or doctorate degree in the natural, applied or health sciences and want to immigrate to BC, Canada.
EE PNP International Post-Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | Yes |
Connection to Province | Yes |
Job Offer | Yes (Skill Level 0, A or B) |
Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A - CLB 7; NOC B - CLB4) |
Level of Education | Master’s or Doctorate in the past 3 years, in one of the following:
|
Work Experience | No |
Age | Express Entry Requirements |
Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP Healthcare Professional
This stream is for healthcare professionals who want to apply for permanent residence in British Columbia and can help fill the demand currently facing the healthcare sectors as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, or allied healthcare professional.
EE PNP Healthcare Professional Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | Yes |
Connection to Province | Yes |
Job Offer | Yes (written) in one of the following occupations:
|
Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A - CLB 7; NOC B - CLB4) |
Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
Work Experience | At least 2 years of related work experience |
Age | Express Entry Requirements |
Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
Please note that if you are a midwife, you must have: A Letter of Confirmation from an acknowledged medical institution in BC (be a member for at least six months) and A registered member with the College of Midwives of British Columbia.
BC Skills Immigration Stream
Besides being able to apply through the above-mentioned streams directly through the BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream on the BC PNP portal online for a fast-tracked processing time of 2-3 months you can also apply for permanent residence through the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS) Category if you do not qualify for the previous immigration programs and work in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing sector.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | Yes |
Job Offer | Yes - Must be in one of the following job sectors in BC:
|
Language Proficiency | Yes - CLB 4 |
Level of Education | Yes (relevant secondary qualification or high school certificate and licensing or certification required for the job) |
Work Experience | Must have been employed for at least 9 consecutive months in BC immediately before application |
Age | No |
Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
Average Processing Time | 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
To apply for the SI system you must:
Please note that your registration will be kept in the pool for 12 months or until you get an Invitation to Apply from BC (if you meet all the requirements).
Visit our website here for a complete list of qualifying in-demand jobs in British Columbia.
BC Entrepreneur Stream
This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province. Individuals must have business ownership and management experience. They must demonstrate that they are able to:
Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC
British Columbia is one of Canada’s most dynamic places to do business. Entrepreneurs benefit from its strategic location, low taxes, competitive operating costs, and a multicultural workforce that is well-educated, highly-skilled, and productive.
If you are an entrepreneur who is ready to buy or invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you can apply through one of the following business immigration streams:
Entrepreneur Base Category
This category is for those who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to buy an existing business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.
BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | No |
Job Offer | No |
Language Proficiency | CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
Level of Education | Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of past 5 years with 100% business ownership |
Age | No |
Work Experience | Business Ownership or Management of at least 3 years(within last 10 years) |
Income/Settlement Funds | No |
Investment | Minimum $200,000 CAD Personal Net Worth of at least $600,000 CAD |
Average Processing Time | 15 - 19 months |
Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
This category is for those who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to start a new business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.
BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | No |
Job Offer | No |
Language Proficiency | CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
Level of Education | Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of the past 5 years with 100% business ownership |
Age | No |
Work Experience | Business Ownership or Management of at least 3 years(within last 5 years) |
Income/Settlement Funds | No |
Investment | Minimum $100,000 CAD Personal Net Worth of at least $300,000 CAD |
Average Processing Time | 15 - 19 months |
Strategic Projects Category
This category is for foreign corporations and business owners who are interested in business immigration to Canada and want to establish a subsidiary or branch in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.
BC Strategic Projects Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | No |
Job Offer | No |
Language Proficiency | CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
Level of Education | Key staff members must have relevant qualifications for the position |
Age | No |
Work Experience | Key staff members must have relevant senior/executive experience and must be currently employed in a foreign corporation |
Income/Settlement Funds | No |
Equity Investment | Minimum $500,000 CAD |
Average Processing Time | 15 - 19 months |
BC Tech Pilot
This program was created for skilled tech workers to immigrate to BC through jobs that are noted by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology as being in demand. The program aims to attract talented workers and international students by speeding up the permanent residence application.
What Jobs Can You Apply With For the BC PNP Tech Pilot?
There are currently 29 jobs that are eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot program. The program has recently been extended to June 2021 due to its phenomenal success and to ensure that companies can meet their hiring requirements for the future.
The program also has weekly draws that allow the province to choose qualified applicants.
BC Tech Pilot Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | No |
Job Offer | Yes - at least one-year job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations |
Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
Work Experience | At least 2 years of related work experience |
Age | Express Entry Requirements |
Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
Average Processing Time | 2 - 3 months |
Other Benefits of This Program
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 1: What are my employment requirements?
FAQ 2: How Will Covid-19 Affect my Application?
While most processes continue, in-person interviews for Entrepreneur Immigration have been postponed and will be rescheduled when possible. If you are not working at your usual place of work and rather at home due to the COVID-19 Pandemic you may still be eligible. You will not however be eligible for the BC PNP if you are working from outside of the province.
FAQ 3: What if I can’t produce a document?
The Canadian government expects you to have all of the needed documentation, including language test scores, education credentials assessments, and certificates before you register.
However, if you cannot provide documents from third parties due to COVID-19, you must still meet the deadline with your other documents, along with an explanation as to why these documents are not attached, like a letter from the organization stating it's not issuing particular documents during that period. As soon as you’re in possession of the missing documentation you can submit it.
FAQ 4: Why do I have to certify my qualification?
Some employment in British Columbia is regulated. If you want to work in a regulated job in Canada, you'll need to show that your education fits the country's criteria. If you work in one of these fields, such as in the medical industry, you’ll have to certify your qualifications with a Canadian Authority board.
Get Your Nomination Today!
If you would like to make British Columbia your new home, you have come to the right place. Our simple online evaluation will determine your eligibility for the British Columbia PNP and any other Canadian immigration programs. Sign up with us today to get started.