BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (BC PNP)  

If you are planning to immigrate to British Columbia for better opportunities, then the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) can be the best choice for you. British Columbia is a province in western Canada and is a place of enormous natural beauty, snow capped mountains, green forests, landscape, and it is home to the 3rd largest city Vancouver.   

WHAT IS BRITISH COLUMBIA PNP (BC PNP)? 

If you are planning to immigrate to British Columbia for better opportunities, then the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) can be your best choice. British Columbia is a province in western Canada. It is a place of enormous natural beauty, snow-capped mountains, green forests, and landscape, and it is home to the 3rd largest city Vancouver.

WHAT IS PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS PNP?  

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows all provincial Canadian governments to nominate immigrants they require for their province or territory to fulfil their labour market needs. Applicants who want Canadian Permanent Residency can apply for visas through various PNP programs per their requirements.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (BC PNP)?  

Some benefits of the British Columbia PNP (BCPNP) are mentioned below:  

• The easiest way to settle in the province of British Columbia.  
• It helps the province government to meet the labour requirements.  
• BC PNP provides an opportunity to live, work, and study in British Columbia.  
• Can apply for Canada PR status. 
• British Columbia PNP’s different streams and categories permit immigrants with multiple profiles to apply for their visa/work permits.  

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (BC PNP)?  

Here are some basic British Columbia PNP eligibility requirements that are mandatory/necessary not only for this program but for all the programs.  

• Applicants have to show proof of legal status  
• Must have at least two years of work experience  
• Applicants need to have the intention to reside and work in the province  
• Need to have a valid job offer from a British Columbia employer (If necessary)  
• Language Proficiency 

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STREAMS UNDER THE BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (BC PNP)?

There are 3 Canadian Immigration Stream under the British Columbia PNP Categories:   

Skills Immigration Stream  

This stream allows the skilled workers, healthcare professionals, post-graduates, and international graduates as well as semi-skilled workers with an eligible occupation in British Columbia to submit their nominations (Expression of Interest [EOI]).  

Below are the subcategories of the Skilled Immigration section of the British Columbia PNP Program:  

Skilled Worker Category  

Overseas workers who have secured a valid/legitimate job offer for skilled employment can apply for visas under this category. If you are applying under this section then you need to have several years of work experience in your respective field, without proper work experience, it will be arduous for you to secure a job.  

Eligibility Requirements 

• Have a full-time permanent job offer from a BC employer 
• Your job should lie in any one of the skill levels of National occupational classification (NOC). 
• At least two years of full-time or equivalent work experience 
• Needs to have settlement funds to support all your expenses of immigration 
• Possess the necessary qualifications to perform the job 

Healthcare Professional Category  

Candidates who are planning or want to apply for British Columbia PNP under this section should have a valid job offer with several years of work experience in the healthcare sector as a Physicians, Nurse, Associated Medical Professions, and Psychiatric Nurse. It is one of the most important British Columbia PNP eligibility requirements. 

Eligibility Requirements 

• Applicants need to have a job offer from a BC employer in the health sector. 
• Must meet minimum language requirements, CLB level 4 (Canadian Language Benchmark)  
• The wage offer should be in line with the BC wage rates for the occupation 
• Licensed to practise your occupation in BC   

International Post-Graduate, BC Degree Category  

This section targets overseas workers and students who have a graduation degree with a master’s/doctorate degree from an authorised education institution within the boundary of the province of British Columbia.  

Eligibility Requirements 

• Must have completed a degree program at a post-secondary institution in B.C. 
• You must have completed your graduate program in the last 3 years 
• You need to be eligible for legal immigration status in Canada 
• Have to show an intention that you want to settle in British Columbia. 

International Graduate Category  

Foreign students who have completed their graduation from a recognized and authorized Canadian education institute in the last two years this section will suit them most. Before applying under this section candidates also need to have a legitimate job offer.  

Eligibility Requirements 

• Must have completed a degree, or diploma program at a post-secondary institution in B.C. 
• You must have completed your graduate program in the last 3 years 
• Need to have a valid job offer from a BC employer. 
• You must be qualified to work in your occupation in British Columbia. 
• Have to show that you can support yourself and your dependents 
• Language ability is important 

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category  

Candidates who are interested in certain semi-skilled or entry-level jobs in tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, and food processing can apply under this subcategory of the skills immigration stream.   

Eligibility Requirements 

• Must have a valid job offer from a BC employer 
• Must have worked for your employer for at least 9 months full-time before you apply.  
• Meet minimum academic requirements 
• Proof of funds 
• You must be qualified to work in your occupation in British columbia.

Express Entry Stream   

It is a BC Express Entry stream through periodic draws, authorising the province to nominate qualified candidates for recognition in Canada under the Canada Express Entry British Columbia system. This stream is for skilled workers, postgraduates, and international graduates only.  

Entrepreneur Immigration Category 

Entrepreneur immigration is one of the most preferred British Columbia streams. This category is aimed at the high net worth of candidates who have the desire to finance and handle a business in British Columbia and want to settle in the province.    

Below are the subcategories of the Entrepreneur Immigration section of the British Columbia Nominee Program:  

Entrepreneur Stream  

This section targets business owners, and senior managers who want to invest in the various firms and businesses in British Columbia. Entrepreneurs who want to settle their business in Canada, British Columbia immigration is the best choice for them.   

Eligibility Requirements 

• Language proficiency is required, at least CLB level 4 
• Have at least 3 years of experience in business ownership or management 
• Must invest $200,000 CAD in British Columbia 
• Personal Net Worth needs to be at least $600,000 CAD 

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot  

This program focuses on those entrepreneurs who want to open a new business or firm in the smaller community of British Columbia and provide their important contribution to the economy of the province.    

Eligibility Requirements  

• Applicants have to start a business with 51% ownership  
• Language proficiency is required, at least CLB level 4 
• Have at least 3 years of experience in business ownership or management 
• Personal Net Worth needs to be at least $300,000 CAD 
• Must invest $100,000 CAD in British Columbia 

Strategic Projects  

This category is the most preferred British Columbia stream amongst entrepreneurs because, under this section or category, foreign-controlled companies are allowed to operate in the province of British Columbia. The province may nominate up to five key foreign managers, professionals, and technicians for PR.   

Eligibility Requirements 

• Annual Corporate Revenue needs to be at least $20 million CAD
• Must invest $500,000 CAD in British Columbia 

HOW TO APPLY FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA PNP (BC PNP)?  

You can apply for British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program in a few easy steps which are mentioned below: –   

Step 1. Check your eligibility for (BCPNP)  

Step 2. Create your Express Entry Profile  

Step 3. Submit all the necessary documents  

Step 4. Wait for the nomination from British Columbia  

Step 5. Accept the Provincial Nomination  

Step 6. 600 points will be added to your CRS score once you accept the nomination  

Step 7. You have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  

Step 8. If you get selected will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)  

Step 9. Submit other required documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  

Step 10. Receive your Canada PR status

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE BC PNP? 

Candidates must have active full-time employment with a British Columbian employer while applying for professions under the B.C. Occupation demand list. A job offer is unnecessary if your education comes from British Columbia; otherwise, it is mandatory. The applicant must register in the Skilled Immigration Registration System (SIRS) and apply through the B.C. online portal after fulfilling this requirement.

SIRS will assign a score after evaluating candidates’ scores. Like the express entry pool, the SIR’s applications will only be considered for a year. After a year, the applicant will need to create a new profile. You can determine your eligibility for the area using the British Columbia Points Calculator.

WHY ALWAYS CONSIDER BASICS OF IMMIGRATION?

1. Expert Visa counselors provide Step-by-step guidance through a secure, online process.  
2. Apt evaluation of credentials and faster visa processing. 
3. Identifying all potential hazards and roadblocks in securing a visa. 
4. Assistance with documentation, immigration rules, citizenship, and border control procedures.
5. Multiple case assessment for better conflict resolution.
6. Designated process managers to provide personalized guidance.

Just like the basics of anything act as “building blocks” forming a strong foundation for constructing complex structures. The Basics of Immigration serve as the foundational elements of moving abroad, for any aspiring immigrant.