Maple News reports that British Columbia has extended 256 new invitations to immigration candidates in the latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw conducted on December 8. The invitations allow selected candidates to apply for a provincial nomination, a key step toward permanent residency in Canada.
The invitations were issued through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) under the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. These streams target skilled workers and international graduates, as well as entry-level and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations across the province.
Candidates selected under the EEBC stream must have active profiles in the federal Express Entry system, which oversees the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class immigration programs. In addition, they must be registered with British Columbia’s own Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
The minimum score requirements in this draw ranged from 77 to 97, depending on the category. Specifically, candidates in the SI – Skilled Worker and SI – International Graduate categories needed a score of at least 95. Those in the SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category required a minimum score of 77. For the EEBC stream, both Skilled Workers and International Graduates needed scores of 97 to receive an invitation.
This provincial draw highlights British Columbia’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign talent that aligns with its economic and labor market needs. It also demonstrates the dual pathway structure of the BC PNP, allowing candidates to qualify through both federal and provincial systems.
Invitees now have up to 30 calendar days from the date of their invitation to submit a complete application through the BC PNP’s online portal. While an invitation is a positive step, it does not guarantee a nomination; candidates must still meet all eligibility and documentation requirements to succeed.
According to Maple News, draws such as these are continuing to play a key role in helping the province meet pressing labor shortages, particularly in healthcare, tech, and skilled trades.
Applicants selected in this round will be closely watching their next steps, as a provincial nomination significantly boosts a candidate’s Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by 600 points, essentially guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a future federal draw.