British Columbia invites 92 for Canada PR in latest BCPNP Tech Pilot draw
In the latest BCPNP Tech Pilot draw held December 15, 2020, the BCPNP (British Columbia Provincial Nominee Plan BCPNP) invited 92 foreign tech workers and international students to apply for a provincial nomination to become Canadian permanent residents. BCPNP has now invited close to 9,000 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination this year. Invitations were issued to Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates in both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration (SI) streams.
The December 15 BCPNP Tech Pilot draw issued invitations under four streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
Minimum score for December 15 BCPNP Tech Pilot draw was 80 for each of the four streams. The featured streams were:
- SI – Skilled Worker
- SI – International Graduate
- EEBC – Skilled Worker
- EEBC – International Graduate
The Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream is for candidates who have created a profile with the federal government’s Express Entry system, Canada’s national program for skilled immigrants to obtain Canadian permanent residence.
In order to receive an invitation through the EEBC candidates must be registered under both the federal Express Entry system AND British Columbia’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
The Skills Immigration (SI) stream is for skilled and semi-skilled workers whose occupations are in high demand in the province of British Columbia. You do not need to register with the federal Express Entry system to be eligible for the BCPNP SI draw.
The BCPNP Tech Pilot was launched in 2017 to assist employers in attracting potential immigrants in the Information Technology (IT) sector and to facilitate the immigration process for foreign tech workers and international students. The pilot has been extended to 2021.
BCPNP Tech Pilot draws are conducted weekly and invitations sent to eligible candidates with a valid one-year job offer in one of the program’s specified 29 occupations. The job offer must also have at least 120 days remaining at the time of application. B.C. also invites foreign workers and graduates in non-tech occupations every two weeks via BCPNP draws. For example B.C. held its largest provincial nomination draw on September 29, 2020 when a total of 450 Express Entry and Skills Immigration candidates were invited.
BCPNP Tech Pilot Job Requirements
- Job offer must be for one of the 29 targeted occupations (see below)
- Job offer must be for at least one-year duration
- Job offer must be valid for at least 120 days at time of application
Target Occupations Under the BCPNP Tech Pilot
| NOC Code | Job Title |
| 0131 | Telecommunication carriers’ managers |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 0512 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 2131 | Civil engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 2134 | Chemical engineers |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers |
| 2221 | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
| 2243 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | User support technicians |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 5121 | Authors and writers |
| 5122 | Editors |
| 5125 | Translators, terminologists and interpreters |
| 5224 | Broadcast technicians |
| 5225 | Audio and video recording technicians |
| 5227 | Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts |
| 5226 | Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts |
| 5241 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade |
About BCPNP programs
The BCPNP offers three ways to become a permanent resident in British Colunbia. Each pathway contains different categories you can apply under, depending on your National Occupational Classification skill level, job, or international student status.
Choose your pathway
Skills Immigration
Skills Immigration is for skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in B.C. It uses a points-based invitation system. The process involves registering and applying online for the BCPNP and a paper application process for permanent residency.
You may not need prior work experience for some categories. Skilled workers may have work experience from abroad. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category applicants need B.C. work experience. Recent international graduates of a Canadian university or college may not need any work experience, depending on the job being offered.
Express Entry BC
Express Entry BC is a faster way for eligible skilled workers to immigrate to B.C. You must also qualify for a federal economic immigration program. It uses a points-based invitation system, and is an entirely web-based registration and application process for both the BCPNP and permanent residency process.
You do not require B.C. work experience. However, you must have relevant work experience as well as meet other requirements such as education and language.
Entrepreneur Immigration
The Entrepreneur Immigration stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to actively manage a business in B.C. It is a points-based invitation system. Applicants must have the required personal and investment funds.
The Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot is for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business in participating regional communities across B.C.
BCPNP also has an option for companies looking to expand into B.C., and who need to get permanent residency for key employees.
Other immigration options
If you don’t qualify for one of the BC PNP streams, there may be other ways to come to B.C. Learn about your options, and see if you qualify as an immigrant, temporary resident or visitor.
About Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs
Under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Canada’s provincial and territorial governments like British Columbia are able to nominate individuals to reside in the province/territory as permanent residents in order to meet their economic needs.
Candidates who have created a profile in the federal Express Entry system AND have also applied for and received a nomination from a province’s PNP, are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score at the federal level, on top of the points that they have in the federal Express Entry pool. The additional 600 CRS points virtually guarantee that the candidate will also receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence under the federal Express Entry system.
- Create your BCPNP Online profile.
- Create your federal Express Entry profile.
