Under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), the latest BC PNP Tech draw was held on February 15. British Columbia invited 140 immigrants to apply for a provincial nomination in this draw. In the last Tech draw held on February 1, British Columbia invited 126 immigrants. The number of invitations increased this time even though the minimum cut-off score was higher. A total of 459 invitations were issued to Tech workers in 2022 (including the recent draw).
In this draw, candidates from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories of BC PNP Tech draw were invited. The minimum cut-off score was 85 for both categories. Invited candidates will now have to apply for nomination within 30 calendar days.
| NUMBER OF INVITATIONS (NOI) | CATEGORY | MINIMUM SCORE |
| 140 | SI – Skilled Worker | 85 |
| SI – International Graduate | 85 | |
| EEBC – Skilled Worker | 85 | |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 85 |
BC PNP Tech aims to prosper the technology sector of British Columbia by giving priority to the applications of registered immigrants having job offers in the 29 specified in-demand occupations and thus putting them on a fastened track for permanent residency.
Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS) manages these draws for BC. Weekly invitations are issued to high-scoring registrants, with valid job offers in the 29 key technology occupations.
BC PNP
BC PNP is a pathway to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the British Columbia province. Foreign nationals who wish to work and settle in BC, and meet the requirements of various subcategories under its Skills Immigration Stream; and Express Entry British Columbia Stream can register online.
The candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply to the BC PNP. Successful candidates among them get the provincial nomination to further apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
BC PNP Tech Draw
BC PNP Tech Draw was initiated in 2017 under the Provincial Nominee Program of British Columbia, to overcome the quality and talent gap in the technology sector of British Columbia. It was introduced as a Pilot program and converted as permanent after seeing the success. It enables employers to attract and retain global talent when there is a lack of qualified workers at the local level. Tech entrepreneurs and skilled workers from around the globe can help grow BC’s technology sector, leading to more jobs for British Columbians.
This program offers people from 29 different occupations a priority-based, fast-track method to get Canadian permanent residence. Since 2017, almost 6,000 tech workers have been nominated through BC PNP.
A candidate must be registered in any one stream offered to immigrants by BC. They are also required to have a valid job offer (from an eligible employer) for a minimum of one year, and at least 120 days must be remaining when the application to BC PNP is submitted.
The 29 in-demand occupations are:
- Telecommunication carriers managers (NOC 0131)
- Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
- Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts (NOC 0512)
- Civil engineers (NOC 2131)
- Mechanical engineers (NOC 2132)
- Electrical and electronics engineers (NOC 2133)
- Chemical engineers (NOC 2134)
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147)
- Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
- Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
- Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
- Biological technologists and technicians (NOC 2221)
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 2241)
- Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) (NOC 2242)
- Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics (NOC 2243)
- Computer network technicians (NOC 2281)
- User support technicians (NOC 2282)
- Information systems testing technicians (NOC 2283)
- Authors and writers (NOC 5121)
- Editors (NOC 5122)
- Translators, terminologists and interpreters (NOC 5125)
- Broadcast technicians (NOC 5224)
- Audio and video recording technicians (NOC 5225)
- Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts (NOC 5226)
- Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts (NOC 5227)
- Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 5241)
- Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade (NOC 6221)
BC PNP applications are prioritized for the 29 tech occupations. Most tech applications are processed within 2-3 months of a successful submission.
After getting approval and receiving provincial nomination confirmation, candidates can apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program of IRCC.
