The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held this month’s first BC PNP Tech draw on March 1. The province invited 136 applicants to apply for a provincial nomination through this draw.
In this BC PNP Tech draw, candidates from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories of BC PNP were invited. The minimum cut-off score was 85 for both categories. Invited candidates will now have 30 calendar days to apply for provincial nomination.
| NUMBER OF INVITATIONS
(NOI) |
CATEGORY | MINIMUM SCORE |
| 136 | SI – Skilled Worker | 85 |
| SI – International Graduate | 85 | |
| EEBC – Skilled Worker | 85 | |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 85 |
The main objective of BC PNP Tech draw is to develop the technology sector of British Columbia. The applications of registered candidates who have a job offer in the 29 specified in-demand occupations are prioritized in this draw. This allows them to get permanent residence through a fast-track method.
British Columbia has issued a total of 1,474 invitations in 2022 so far. The Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS) manages the BC draws. Weekly draws are conducted to invite high-scoring applicants having a valid job offer in the specified 29 key technology occupations.
The BC PNP Tech Draw
British Columbia operates the BC PNP for immigrants to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the province. Foreign nationals willing to work and live in BC are required to register online. They must fulfill the requirements of different subcategories under BC PNP (Skills Immigration Stream; and Express Entry British Columbia Stream in this draw) to apply online.
BC PNP Tech draw was started in 2017 under the Provincial Nominee Program of British Columbia. With the aim to fill the quality and talent gap in the technology sector of British Columbia, the province launched the BC PNP Tech draw. It was introduced as a Pilot program initially and was made 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 a priority-based, fast-track method for Canadian permanent residence to people from 29 different occupations. Since 2017, almost 6,500 tech workers have been nominated through BC PNP.
The high-scoring candidates in the pool are invited to apply to the BC PNP. Candidates who qualify after application processing receive a provincial nomination. They can further apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence through this nomination.
To be eligible for BC PNP Tech draw, an applicant is required to be registered in any one BC PNP stream offered to immigrants. They must also have a valid job offer from an eligible employer in the province for a minimum of one year out of which 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 these 29 tech occupations. The average processing time for most tech applications is within 2-3 months after successful submission. Once approved the candidates receive the provincial nomination confirmation. After that, they can apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program of IRCC.
