The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) aims to accelerate the process for those wishing to obtain Canadian permanent resident status. There are two categories under which candidates can apply, each with its own sub-categories (see below).
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The BCPNP also has separate Express Entry categories. For more information on British Columbia Express Entry, click here.
The province also publishes a regularly updated list of British Columbia Target Occupations for its skilled worker immigration category.
British Columbia Immigration Draws
Full List of 2018 BCPNP Draws
Full List of 2017 BCPNP Draws
Full List of 2016 BCPNP Draws
Skills Immigration (Workers): Business Immigrants Category:
Skilled Workers Entrepreneur
Health Care Professionals Regional Pilot
International Graduates Strategic Projects
International Post-Graduates
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled workers
BC PNP Tech Pilot
BC PNP : Skills Immigration stream
There are five components in this category. All skilled immigration candidates with experience in key in-demand occupations can qualify for expedited processing under the BC PNP Tech Pilot.
Skilled Workers
To apply under this component the following requirements must be met:
Candidate must have been offered a job by a B.C. employer in a skilled occupation (skill level “0”, “A” or “B” in the National Occupational Classification(NOC));
BCPNP must determine that there is a positive demand and/or outlook for the particular occupation;
The wage offered must be comparable to what is usually offered in B.C. for the occupation;
The candidate must have the qualifications and experience required to perform the job offered;
The offer of employment must be written and meet certain criteria, including being for a full time and indeterminate position;
The employer must meet certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
The candidate must be deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.;
Health Care Professionals
Applicants in this category can be nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, physicians or allied health professionals, recruited by provincial and regional health authorities administered through Health Match BC (a recruitment service funded by the provincial government) and who meet the following requirements:
Registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners must have a full-time and indeterminate job offer from one of B.C.’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority, and be registered with the College of Registered Nurses of B.C. or with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of B.C.
Physicians must be sponsored by one of B.C.’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority and have a positive assessment from their supervising physician attested by a letter from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.
Midwives must be registered with the College of Midwives of B.C. and have been accepted into an established practice group in B.C. for at least six months.
Allied health professionals must have a full-time indeterminate job offer from one of B.C.’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority and must be registered with the provincial licensing body that regulates their profession.
International Graduates
This category is aimed at foreign nationals who have graduated from Canadian post-secondary institutions. The main requirements for candidates are:
To have obtained an eligible degree or diploma from a Canadian post-secondary institution following a program of at least 12 months of full time studies within the two years preceding application;
To have accepted an indeterminate full time job offer from a B.C. Employer for an occupation under NOC Skill Levels O, A, or B. Other occupations may be considered under certain circumstances;
Wages offered are equivalent to prevailing wages for the position in B.C.
The candidate must have the qualifications required to perform the job offered, but no previous experience is required;
The employer must meet certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
The candidate must be deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.;
International Post-Graduates
This program allows certain graduates of B.C. post-secondary institution to settle in the province. No job offer is required to apply in this category. Successful applicants will meet the following requirements:
Completed an eligible Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in B.C. in a designated field of study within the two years preceding their application;
Demonstrate their intention to settle in B.C.;
Have the ability to become economically established in B.C.
Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Workers
This category is aimed at temporary foreign workers already in B.C. working in the following occupations: hospitality/tourism services, long-haul trucking and food processing. The two year “Northeast Pilot Project” allows applications from a broader range of semi-skilled occupation based on the location of employment. The requirements are as follows:
Job offer in a qualifying occupation in the Tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing industries. (Other occupations under NOC Skill levels C and D may qualify if the employment is in the Northeast Development Region)
Candidate has been employed full time by the B.C. employer making the offer for at least 9 consecutive months;
Wages offered are comparable to prevalent wages for the occupation;
Candidate has completed 12 years of formal education;
Candidate meets any regulatory or licensing requirements for the position offered;
Candidate demonstrates basic proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages;
Employer meets certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
Candidate is deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.;
British Columbia Business Immigration
British Columbia operates three business streams:
Entrepreneur Immigration
Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects
Entrepreneur Immigration
Requirements
Establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in B.C.
Investment of minimum $200,000 in the new or existing business.
Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Net worth of minimum $600,000.
Business and/or management experience.
Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
Have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently reside.
Pay a $300 registration fee, $3,500 application fee and $1,000 fee for each key staff application.
Process
1) Registration
Complete an online registration including a short business concept and pay non-refundable fee of $300. Candidates are scored on the information they provide and are place in a pool for six months or 180 days, or until they receive an invitation.
2) Invitation
British Columbia carries out regular draws, on average one each month for the Entrepreneur stream. Candidates who are invited to apply have four months to submit a complete application. The score takes into account English language ability, age and Canadian work experience. Candidates can improve their score while in the pool, including by submitting a new business concept.
3) Net Worth Review
Candidates receiving an invitation to apply will have their net worth reviewed by a qualified supplier, who is a professional chartered accountant. The review includes the amount and source of funds and supporting documents. The candidate is responsible for all costs.
4) Application
Candidates have four months, or 120 days, to submit an application once an invitation is received. Candidates may be required to attend an interview. Approved applicants must sign a performance agreement with B.C. They then have 20 months, or 610 days to implement their business proposal.
5) Building the Business
Candidates get a letter of support from B.C. to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a two-year work permit. Candidates and their dependents must arrive in B.C. with a valid work permit within 12 months, or 365 days, of receiving a letter of confirmation. The 20 months to implement the business starts when the candidate lands. At the end of the period, candidates must submit a final report to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
6) Nomination for Permanent Residence
Candidates who meet the terms of their performance agreement are nominated for Canadian permanent residence by B.C.
Dependents and key staff members (if applicable) will also receive nominations.
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot aims to attract entrepreneur to rural parts of the province.
It is initially a two-year pilot, with enrollment open in early 2019.
The Regional Pilot is only for entrepreneurs wishing to start a new business. Those wishing to purchase an existing business should consider B.S.’s main Entrepreneur Immigration stream.
Key Features
1) Community Involvement
Participation communities are actively involved in attracting the foreign entrepreneur, and helping them settle after arrival.
2) BC PNP Referrals
Communities can refer foreign entrepreneurs to the BC PNP. The candidates must have visited the community and have a business proposal aligned with its economic priorities.
3) Community Concierge
Participating communities have access to the services of a dedicated BC PNP Community Concierge.
4) Invitations and Prioritization
Referred candidates register is a separate BC PNP pool. Monthly invitations are issued to the best scoring candidates. Those invited received priority processing.
Community Requirements
Population of less than 75,000.
Located beyond 30km from a municipality of more than 75,000 population.
Demonstrated capacity to support foreign entrepreneurs with network of settlement and business support agencies.
Immigration and pilot-specific training must be completed by community representatives.
Candidate Requirements
Desire to start a business and settle in a B.C. regional community.
Complete an exploratory visit.
Minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments.
Minimum personal net worth of $300,000.
Minimum of 51 per cent ownership.
Minimum of one new job created.
B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects
The B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects stream assists foreign-controlled companies establishing an eligible business in B.C. with the timely entry of foreign key managerial, professional or technical staff who intend to become permanent residents of Canada and settle in B.C.
Company Requirements
Make a minimum equity investment of $500,000 to establish or purchase and expand an eligible business in B.C.
Create at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff).
Establish or purchase and expand a company in B.C.
Application Process
Exploratory visit
Discuss proposal with BC PNP officials and register company’s interest to apply