Under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), the latest BC PNP Tech Draw was held on January 18, through which British Columbia invited 91 immigrants to apply for provincial nomination.
In this draw, candidates from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories of BC PNP Tech Draw were invited from the Skills Immigration and the Express Entry British Columbia stream. The minimum cut-off score was 80 for both. The candidates invited in this draw will now have to apply for nomination within 30 calendar days.
| NUMBER OF INVITATIONS
(NOI) |
CATEGORY | MINIMUM SCORE |
| 91 | SI – Skilled Worker | 80 |
| SI – International Graduate | 80 | |
| EEBC – Skilled Worker | 80 | |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 80 |
BC PNP Tech Draw aims at prospering 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.
What is 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.
Highest scoring registrants 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.
How is BC PNP Tech Draw different?
BC PNP Tech Draw was initiated in 2017 under the Provincial Nominee Program of British Columbia, to cover the quality and talent gap in the technology sector of British Columbia. It was introduced as a Pilot program, but was made permanent after seeing its 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 permanent residence. Since 2017, almost 6,000 tech workers have been nominated for permanent residency.
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 prioritised for these 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 residency through the Provincial Nominee Program of IRCC.
