British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

British Columbia, the home of the country’s third-largest city Vancouver is one of the most diverse provinces in all of Canada. British Columbia’s economy focuses on a strong natural resources sector, with an emphasis on forestry and mining. Its natural environment, with expansive forests and a unique coastal climate, is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Canada, and indeed the world.

The BC PNP is British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a British Columbia Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

The BC PNP accepts applications under three main immigration streams:

• Skills Immigration (including Express Entry British Columbia)
• Express Entry British Columbia
• Entrepreneur Immigration

These streams are further divided into categories. Below we provide you with additional information about each to help you determine if the BC PNP is right for you.

Skills Immigration

The Skills Immigration (SI) stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is for people with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by B.C. employers.

• 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. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker Category.

• 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. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Healthcare Professional Category.

• 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. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the International Graduate 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. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the International Post-Graduate 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. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category.

Express Entry

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:

• EEBC – Skilled Worker Category: The Express Entry Skilled Worker category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides a way for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who also have a job offer in BC to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Express Entry – Skilled Workers Category.

• EEBC – Health Care Professional Category: British Columbia needs more health care professionals. Consequently, a portion of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is dedicated to attracting physicians, specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals who are also eligible to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry selection system. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Express Entry – Health Care Professional Category.

• EEBC – International Graduate Category: The Express Entry International Graduate category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides a way for candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who graduated from a university or college in Canada, and who also have a job offer in BC, to obtain permanent resident status in Canada. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Express Entry – International Graduate Category.

• EEBC – International Post-Graduate Category: The Express Entry International Post-Graduate category of British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) allows graduates with a Master’s or doctorate (PhD) degree in the natural, applied or health sciences who have completed a valid graduate program of study at an eligible post-secondary institution in BC in the last three years to settle in BC permanently. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Express Entry – International Post-Graduate category.

Entrepreneur Immigration

Individuals who intend to settle and invest in British Columbia may be eligible for Canadian permanent residence under this immigration stream. This program is broken down into two categories:

• Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot: This new pilot is for international entrepreneurs looking to establish a new business in a small community in British Columbia. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot program.
• 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. Learn more about the eligibility requirements for the Strategic Projects category.