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British Columbia PNP

Updated: March 8th, 2023


British Columbia (BC) is Canada's westernmost province, widely known for its Pacific coastline and mountain ranges. It is one of the most diverse provinces and is home to the country's third-largest city, Vancouver. Vancouver is consistently listed as one of the world's best cities, making it ever-popular with immigrants. Here's a short breakdown of life in BC.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (British Columbia PNP, or BC PNP) is aimed at providing a fast-track service for permanent resident applications for experienced and skilled workers. It also caters to business people and their eligible family members to settle in BC permanently.

The British Columbia PNP was also designed to attract foreign nationals with the necessary skills and experience targeted by the province. These foreign nationals include high-impact workers and entrepreneurs suitable for BC's labour market and economic development priorities.

Foreign nationals applying through the BC PNP enjoy faster processing times than other Canadian immigration programs, which is just one of the advantages of applying for permanent residence through the BC PNP.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, or BC PNP, creates immigration pathways for skilled workers with the relevant work experience and training to fill in-demand jobs in British Columbia.

The immigration process and registration for the BC PNP depend on which of the pathways you can apply for. This is determined by your:

  • National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • Work Experience;
  • Skill Level; or
  • International Student Status.

Those who successfully apply to immigrate to Canada through the program can get permanent residence when they receive a Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province. To qualify for all PNPs, you will also need the following:

  • Medical Certificate;
  • Police Clearance;
  • Biometrics;
  • Security Checks; and
  • Federal Checks.

If you get a nomination from the province, you, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children can apply for permanent residence in British Columbia.

If You Have a Job Offer in BC:

British Columbia Skills Immigration

For those wanting to move to Canada via the BC PNP and have a job offer in a skilled or in-demand occupation, chances are the best pathway for you falls under the British Columbia Skills Immigration Stream. This stream is a program under the BCPNP that offers pathways for skilled and semi-skilled workers. These include the Skilled Worker, Health Authority, International Graduate, International Post-Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Worker streams. 

Candidates are scored based on work experience, education, language proficiency, hourly wage, and job location in British Columbia. Most programs require a job offer from a BC employer but do not require a Labor Market Impact Assessment. The program aims to help foreign workers and graduates contribute to the BC economy and provides an immigration pathway for tech workers and skilled refugees. Find out how you can land a job in BC here.

For Those Who Studied Outside Canada:

Skilled Worker

This stream is for skilled foreign workers who have high-demand occupations and not only want to immigrate to British Columbia but want to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence quicker.

Skilled Worker Category Eligibility Requirements
Connection to Province No
Job Offer Yes
Language Proficiency Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP)
Level of Education Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and job-specific training or on-the-job-training)
Work Experience At least two years of related work experience
Age Express Entry Requirements
Income/Settlement Funds Yes
Average Processing Time Six months (Express Entry); or
2-3 months (BC PNP Online)

Health Authority

This stream is for healthcare professionals applying for permanent residence in British Columbia. It can help fill the demand currently facing the healthcare sectors as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, or allied healthcare professional.

Healthcare Professional Category Eligibility Requirements
Connection to Province Yes
Job Offer
Yes (written) in one of the following occupations:
  • Physician;
  • Healthcare specialist;
  • Registered nurse;
  • Registered psychiatric nurse;
  • Nurse practitioners; or Health professionals like:
  • Diagnostic medical sonographer;
  • Clinical pharmacist;
  • Medical laboratory technologist;
  • Medical radiation technologist;
  • Occupational therapist; or
  • Physiotherapist
Language Proficiency Express Entry Requirements (TEER 0 or 1 - CLB 7; TEER 2 or 3 - CLB 4)
Level of Education Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and job-specific training or on-the-job-training)
Work Experience At least two years of related work experience
Age Express Entry Requirements
Income/Settlement Funds Yes
Average Processing Time Six months (Express Entry); or

2-3 months (BC PNP Online)

Please note that if you are a midwife, you must have: A Letter of Confirmation from an acknowledged medical institution in BC (be a member for at least six months) and A registered member with the College of Midwives of British Columbia.

BC Tech Pilot

The BC provincial government created this program for skilled tech workers to immigrate to BC through jobs noted by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology as being in demand. In addition, the program aims to attract talented workers and international students by speeding up the permanent residence application.

What Jobs Can You Apply With For the BC PNP Tech Pilot?

There are currently 29 jobs that are eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot program. 

The program also has weekly draws that allow the province to choose qualified applicants.

 
BC Tech Pilot Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Option No
Connection to Province No
Job Offer Yes - at least one-year job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations
Language Proficiency Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB 4 for FSTP)
Level of Education Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and job-specific training or on-the-job-training)
Work Experience At least two years of related work experience
Age Express Entry Requirements
Income/Settlement Funds Yes
Average Processing Time 2 - 3 months

Find out if you're eligible for the BC PNP Tech Pilot here.

Other Benefits of This Program

  • You do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment; and
  • You can get a work permit support letter that lets you:
  • Renew your work permit; or
  • Apply for a new work permit

Note:

While these programs are open to those who did not study in Canada, those who have can also be eligible for these programs.

For Those Who Studied in Canada:

For Those Who Studied in Canada:

International Graduate

This stream is for students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college in the last three years and want to live and work in British Columbia, Canada.

International Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements
Connection to Province Yes
Job Offer Yes (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3)
Language Proficiency Express Entry Requirements (TEER 0 or 1 - CLB 7; TEER 2 or 3 - CLB 4)
Level of Education Tertiary qualification (degree, diploma, or certificate) from a Canadian institution in the past three years
Work Experience No
Age Express Entry Requirements
Income/Settlement Funds Yes
Average Processing Time Six months (Express Entry); or
2-3 months (BC PNP Online)
 

International Post Graduate

This stream is for students who have recently graduated from a BC university or college with a master's or doctorate in the natural, applied or health sciences and want to immigrate to BC, Canada.

 
International Post-Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements
If applying through Express Entry
  • Express Entry Profile Number
  • Job Seeker Validation Code
Connection to Province Yes
Job Offer Yes (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3)
Language Proficiency Express Entry Requirements (TEER 0 or 1 - CLB 7; TEER 2 or 3 - CLB 4)
Level of Education Master's or Doctorate in the past three years in one of the following:
  • Agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences;
  • Biomedical or biological sciences;
  • Computer or informational sciences;
  • Conservation and research of natural resources;
  • Engineering or Engineering Technology and engineering-related fields; Healthcare or clinical sciences; Mathematics or statistics;
  • Physical sciences.
Work Experience No
Age Express Entry Requirements
Income/Settlement Funds Yes
Average Processing Time

Six months (Express Entry); or

2-3 months (BC PNP Online)

For Those Working in Tourism, Hospitality, or Food Processing:

Besides being able to apply through the streams mentioned above directly through the BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream on the BC PNP portal online for a fast-tracked processing time of 2-3 months, you can also apply for permanent residence through the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS) Category if you do not qualify for the previous immigration programs and work in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing sector.

The eligible occupations for this stream are as follows:

NOC Code Eligible Occupations
64314 Hotel front desk clerks
64320 Tour and travel guides
64321 Casino workers
64322 Outdoor sport and recreational guides
64300 Maîtres d’hotel and hosts/hostesses
64301 Bartenders
65200 Food and beverage servers
65201 Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
65210 Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services
65310 Light duty cleaners
65311 Specialized cleaners
65312 Janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners
65320 Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
65329 Other service support occupations
94140 Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
94141 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
94142 Fish and seafood plant workers
94143 Testers and graders, food and beverage processing
95106 Labourers in food and beverage processing

If you're unsure of your NOC code, here's our NOC guide. If you work in one of these occupations, here’s what you need to qualify for this program:

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Option No
Connection to Province Yes
Job Offer

Yes - Must be in one of the following job sectors in BC:

  • tourism/hospitality;
  • long-haul trucking; or
  • food processing sector.
Language Proficiency Yes - CLB 4
Level of Education Yes (relevant secondary qualification or high school certificate and licensing or certification required for the job)
Work Experience Must have been employed for at least nine consecutive months in BC immediately before application
Age No
Income/Settlement Funds Yes
Average Processing Time 2-3 months (BC PNP Online)

To apply for the SI system, you must:

Step 1: Create an online profile through the BC PNP and register.

Step 2: Choose one of the five categories:

  • Skilled Worker;
  • Healthcare Professional;
  • International Post Graduate;
  • International Graduate; or
  • Entry Level and Semi-Skilled.

Step 3: Receive a registration score and enter a selection pool for your chosen category.

Step 4: Complete your registration when you receive your confirmation email and BC PNP registration number.

For a full breakdown of how to apply to a PNP, here's our full breakdown.

Please note that your registration will be kept in the pool for 12 months or until you get an Invitation to Apply from BC (if you meet all the requirements).

Visit our website here for a complete list of qualifying in-demand jobs in British Columbia.

Suppose you have found the opportunity of a lifetime in BC and want to take advantage of it quickly. In that case, you'll want to speak to a certified immigration expert like a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC). An RCIC can fully evaluate you to find the perfect stream and ensure you're ready to take on this golden opportunity once you arrive.

If You're an Entrepreneur Ready to Start a Business in the Province:

BC Entrepreneur Stream

All business and investment-focused BC PNPs fall under the BC Entrepreneur Stream.

BC Entrepreneur Stream

This stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province. Individuals must have business ownership and management experience. They must demonstrate that they can:

  • Establish themselves in BC;
  • Invest in a new or existing business; and
  • Employ Canadian citizens or permanent residents to give significant economic benefits to the province

Entrepreneur Base Category

This category is for those interested in business immigration to Canada and who want to buy an existing business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.

 
BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Option No
Connection to Province No
Job Offer No
Language Proficiency CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French
Level of Education Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of the past five years with 100% business ownership
Age No
Work Experience Business Ownership or Management of at least three years(within the last ten years)
Income/Settlement Funds No
Investment

Minimum CAD 200,000

Personal Net Worth of at least CAD 600,000

Average Processing Time 15 - 19 months

Entrepreneur Regional Pilot

This category is for those interested in business immigration to Canada and wants to start a new business in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.

BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Option No
Connection to Province No
Job Offer No
Language Proficiency CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French
Level of Education Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of the past five years with 100% business ownership
Age No
Work Experience Business Ownership or Management of at least three years(within the last five years)
Income/Settlement Funds No
Investment

Minimum CAD 100,000

Personal Net Worth of at least CAD 300,000

Average Processing Time 15 - 19 months

Strategic Projects Category

This category is for foreign corporations and business owners interested in business immigration to Canada and wants to establish a subsidiary or branch in British Columbia and eventually obtain permanent residence in Canada.

BC Strategic Projects Category Eligibility Requirements
Express Entry Option No
Connection to Province No
Job Offer No
Language Proficiency CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French
Level of Education Key staff members must have relevant qualifications for the position
Age No
Work Experience Key staff members must have relevant senior/executive experience and be employed in a foreign corporation.
Income/Settlement Funds No
Equity Investment Minimum CAD 500,000
Average Processing Time 15 - 19 months

Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC

Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC

Entrepreneurs like British Columbia for its strong economy, supportive business environment, and high quality of life. 

The British Columbia government also offers a range of programs and services to support entrepreneurs, including tax incentives, funding programs, and business advisory services. The province has a strong startup ecosystem, with incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces that provide entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities.

In addition to its strong economy and supportive business environment, British Columbia also offers a high quality of life. The province is known for its natural beauty, stunning mountains, forests, and coastline. It also has a diverse and multicultural population, with vibrant cities and communities offering various cultural and recreational activities.

British Columbia offers entrepreneurs economic opportunity, business support, and quality of life, making it an attractive location to start or grow a business. 

FAQs

What are my Employment Requirements?

  • You must have a written job offer
  • You will have to complete the employer sections of the application forms
  • You will have to notify the BC PNP if there are any changes in your employment status. This includes promotion or termination if you have been laid off, are on extended leave or if the business has closed or changed ownership.
  • Your employer must be established as an employer in good standing in BC.
  • Your employer must provide full-time, indeterminate (permanent or with no set end date) Employment.
  • Your employer must have a history of good workplace and business practices
  • They will have to sign an employer declaration
  • The job must meet domestic labour market recruitment requirements, where applicable.
  • They must offer you a wage in line with industry standards

Why Must I Certify my Qualification?

Some employment in British Columbia is regulated. If you want to work in a held job in Canada, you must show that your education fits the country's criteria. If you work in one of these fields, such as in the medical industry, you'll have to certify your qualifications with a Canadian Authority board. Here's how you can certify your qualifications with the World Education Services.

Find Your Way to the West Coast

BC PNP

If you want to make British Columbia your new home, you have come to the right place. Our online evaluation will determine your eligibility for the British Columbia PNP and any other Canadian immigration programs. We work with RCICs to ensure you have the best possible chance of starting your journey to British Columbia.