The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) promotes its own Express Entry stream, enabling the province to nominate qualified candidates for admission to Canada under the federal Express Entry immigration system.
To qualify under any of the BC Express Entry streams, you must first meet the minimum eligibility criteria for one of the applicable federal Express Entry programs below:
In addition, potential candidates must qualify for one of British Columbia Express Entry streams. Although a job offer is not necessary to qualify for the federal program listed above, in order to qualify under British Columbia’s Express Entry streams, a sponsoring employer is required.
BC PNP Draws
The BC PNP issues periodic Invitations to Apply (ITA) for nomination to highest-ranked candidates. The details and methodology used for each search are published after the draws are done.
Skills Immigration Application process
Step 1. Submission of federal Express Entry profile
If you meet the requirements of one of the federal programs listed above, you may submit an Express Entry profile with IRCC and receive an Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker validation code.
Step 2. Registration with SIRS
The BC PNP operates a Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) for its immigration program. It is a dynamic intake management system that allows BC to prioritize high-impact candidates.
Interested candidates for BC Express Entry streams must register a free expression of interest via BCPNP Online system.
Step 3. Invitation to apply
SIRS operates under a points-based system which 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 the skill level of the BC employment offer — that reflect an individual’s ability to succeed in the labour market and contribute to the provincial economy.
Highest-scoring profiles receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for a provincial nomination (not to be confused with the ITA received within the Express Entry pool from the federal government).
Step 4. Application
After receiving an ITA, the candidate must submit a complete application through the BCPNP Online within 30 days and pay the $700 application fee.
Step 5. Nomination
Approved candidates receive the provincial nomination enabling them to apply for permanent residence.
A provincial nomination receives 600 points in the federal Express entry system, effectively guaranteeing that the candidate will receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
In order to work in BC while a PR application is in progress, an interested candidate may request a support letter from BC PNP
Step 6. IRCC application
Following health, criminality and security checks, the approved candidates receive a permanent resident visa.
