the CanadaVisa Team - 19 October, 2017
In the latest British Columbia immigration draws, which took place on October 11 and 18, a total of 345 workers and international graduates received an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). Among the candidates who received an invitation to apply from the province were those invited under the BC PNP Tech Pilot.
BC PNP categories are managed under BC's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). In order to apply through the SIRS, eligible candidates are required to register an account, whereupon they are assigned a score based on their economic and human capital credentials. Candidates with the highest scores are then invited to apply when BC holds another one of its periodic draws. Categories that are managed under the SIRS require candidates to have a job offer from an employer in BC.
Also among the 345 candidates invited in this draw were those invited through an Express Entry-aligned sub-category. Once issued an invitation to apply, candidates in an Express-Entry aligned category are in a position to apply for and receive an enhanced BC PNP nomination certificate. A successful provincial nomination awards applicants 600 additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and an Invitation To Apply (ITA) at a later draw from the federal Express Entry pool.
It is important to note that an invitation to apply under the BC PNP is not the same as the ITA issued at the federal Express Entry level.
Skilled workers and graduates invited in the skills immigration categories will have their applications for permanent residence processed outside Express Entry after they receive a nomination from BC.
Eligible individuals interested in applying for immigration to Canada through specific categories under the BC PNP are required to enter the SIRS pool. Once in this pool, candidates are assigned a points score based on civil status, education, work experience, and other factors.
| Date | Category | Minimum Score Required | Number of ITAs Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
October 11, 2017 (Includes tech-only draw on October 18) | EEBC – Skilled Worker | 73 | 345 |
| EEBC – International Graduate | 67 | ||
| SI - Skilled Worker | 73 | ||
| SI – International Graduate | 67 | ||
| SI - Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | 40 |
The Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker category is for international skilled workers who have post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupation. Candidates must be eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool. A successful application under this category results in the candidate receiving 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and a subsequent ITA at the federal level.
Learn more about the Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker category.
International graduates who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within the past two years may be eligible to apply under the Express Entry BC – International Graduate category. Interestingly, this category is open to eligible graduates who graduated from a university or college in any location in Canada; it is not restricted to graduates from BC universities and colleges. This category is also aligned with the federal Express Entry system.
Learn more about the Express Entry BC – International Graduate category.
This base category is open to workers with post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a skilled occupation. A job offer is required.
Learn more about the Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker category.
This category is for international students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within two years of applying to the BC PNP. While applicants do not necessarily need prior work experience, applicants are required to obtain a job offer from a B.C. employer.
Learn more about the Skills Immigration – International Graduate category.
This category is open to candidates who may not be eligible for other Canadian immigration programs, as it allows certain non-skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. Candidates must work in an eligible occupation within the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food processing industries, or in a NOC skill level C or D occupation in the Northeast Development Region of the province.
Learn more about the Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category.
