Maple News reports that on April 27, British Columbia issued 362 invitations to immigration candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), continuing its strategic efforts to attract skilled workers and address labor market needs. The latest invitation rounds included both a general draw and a targeted draw focused on specific high-demand occupations.
In the general draw, 348 candidates were invited across various categories under the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. These included applicants in the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled subcategories. The minimum scores for this draw ranged from 78 to 95 points, depending on the stream and sub-category.
In a second, more targeted draw, 14 invitations were extended to candidates with occupations classified under National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes 0621 (Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers) and 0631 (Restaurant and Food Service Managers). These candidates required a higher minimum score of 113 points, reflecting the program’s prioritization of talent in management and hospitality-related sectors.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is designed to support the province’s labor market needs by nominating foreign workers and graduates who can contribute to the economy. The program operates through two primary streams—Skills Immigration and Express Entry—both of which are managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Candidates must first register with SIRS and are assigned scores based on comprehensive criteria, including education, professional experience, and language proficiency.
Regular draws are held to invite top-ranking individuals from the candidate pool to apply for provincial nomination. Those who receive an invitation have 30 days to submit a complete application through the BC PNP’s online portal.
Maple News notes that British Columbia continues to strategically use its PNP draws to fill immediate workforce gaps while aligning with Canada’s broader immigration objectives. The province’s flexible approach—including occupation-specific draws—demonstrates a commitment to economic recovery and long-term growth through immigration.
For prospective Canadian immigrants, opportunities in British Columbia remain promising, especially for those aligned with the province’s in-demand occupations and willing to contribute their skills to its dynamic economy.