Maple News reports that the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) invited 90 eligible candidates to apply for provincial nomination on April 20 through its Tech Pilot stream.
The invitations were issued to candidates under the Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration categories, specifically targeting Skilled Workers and International Graduates. To receive an invitation, applicants needed a minimum provincial score of 80.
This draws attention to the growing demand for tech talent across British Columbia, as the province continues to leverage its Tech Pilot initiative to meet labor market needs. So far in 2021, B.C. has issued a total of 3,531 invitations to immigration candidates.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot is a fast-tracked immigration pathway designed for tech professionals and international graduates who possess specialized skills in 29 eligible tech occupations. To qualify, applicants must have a valid job offer of at least one year and be registered under an existing BC PNP stream.
Candidates go through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where they are assessed and scored based on factors including education, work experience, and job offer. Weekly Tech Pilot draws ensure that qualified candidates are selected regularly to meet the sector’s high demand.
Launched in 2017, the Tech Pilot was introduced in response to a labor market study that identified scarcity of skilled tech workers as a major challenge for B.C.’s growing innovation economy. Since its inception, the pilot has been extended several times and is currently set to run until at least June 2021.
Those nominated through the Express Entry BC stream receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in one of Canada’s federal immigration draws.
Express Entry is the federal application management system covering three major programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are ranked based on core criteria such as age, education, skilled work experience, and language proficiency.
By integrating provincial nominations with the federal Express Entry system, British Columbia is positioning itself as a top destination for global tech talent — accelerating both individual immigration journeys and the province’s long-term economic growth.