British Columbia ranks among the largest provinces in Canada. Situated in the far western region of the country, it is also the location of Canada’s most populous city, Vancouver. The province is renowned for its national parks, pristine lakes, and recreational areas. Approximately two-thirds of its land is covered by forests. British Columbia is the leading global producer of cranberries and blueberries. Historically, the province's economy has been primarily supported by its forest resources, mining, agriculture, and natural gas sectors. In recent years, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program has diversified its economy by establishing various industries and embracing information technology. To secure the necessary resources, the province has actively participated in the Provincial Nominee Program since its establishment in the mid-1990s.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) was established to assist local immigration authorities in selecting suitable candidates for the province, aligning with the existing job market demands. This program streamlines the application process for individuals seeking to move to British Columbia. It operates in collaboration with the Federal Government's immigration department. The BCPNP comprises two distinct categories designed to invite qualified individuals to relocate to British Columbia.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Streams

Skills Immigration Stream

This stream is designed for skilled and semi-skilled professionals. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) welcomes qualified individuals through this stream as well as the Express Entry BC Stream. Its primary aim is to attract professionals for occupations that are in high demand within British Columbia. Individuals who are IT professionals or healthcare providers and practitioners, whether they are experienced, entry-level, or recent graduates, are eligible to apply under this stream.

The province periodically issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) to qualified candidates. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Possess a job offer from an employer located in British Columbia.
  • Demonstrate relevant experience in their field.
  • Provide evidence of language proficiency.
  • Have at least two years of full-time work experience in their area of expertise.

The procedure to apply through this stream

The Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is overseen by the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). Individuals interested in applying will need to register within this system, although this requirement does not apply to healthcare professionals and international postgraduates.

Once a profile is entered into the system, it will undergo evaluation based on specific criteria and will be ranked accordingly. Profiles that achieve the highest rankings will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination.

After receiving an ITA, the candidate is required to submit a completed application form along with the necessary documentation within 30 days. Candidates who obtain a nomination can then move forward to apply for permanent residency in Canada through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The IRCC will perform a background check on the candidate before advancing to subsequent steps in the process.

The applicant must ensure that their application is submitted in its entirety, including all supporting documents required for processing.

Express Entry BC Stream

The Express Entry stream of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) operates in conjunction with the Federal Express Entry system. This initiative does not necessitate that candidates possess a job offer from a British Columbia employer; however, they must have a sponsoring employer to provide support.

The Processes are as follows:-

Candidates must be included in the Express Entry Pool and must have obtained a profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code. Individuals wishing to move to British Columbia should submit an Expression of Interest accordingly. Those who qualify and achieve the highest rankings will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), after which they are required to submit their nomination application within 30 days. Upon receiving a nomination, candidates will proceed to submit their application for permanent residency in Canada to the IRCC.

British Columbia PNP Tech Pilot

The BCPNP Tech Pilot was initiated in 2017 to assist British Columbia in attracting qualified IT professionals to the province, thereby enabling local employers to swiftly address job vacancies.

The BCPNP has found 29 occupations within the technology sector. Weekly draws are conducted, and invitations are extended to eligible candidates. Those selected must meet additional criteria established by the BCPNP to qualify for this program. Notably, this stream does not mandate that employers provide a long-term job offer; a minimum offer of one year is sufficient. This represents one of the most expedited pathways for IT professionals seeking to relocate to Canada.

Applications submitted through this program are prioritized in processing. Typically, the BCPNP takes between two to three months to issue nominations; however, this program significantly reduces that timeframe.

Candidates participating in this program are excused from the requirement of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Conclusion

To immigrate to Canada through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. Individuals first need to understand what it is and how it works as all the PNP program has their own criteria and eligibility. Go-Global immigration services are the best consultant who can assist you from beginning to end.

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