Maple News reports that on June 8, 2021, British Columbia issued 373 invitations to apply for provincial nomination through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), continuing its trend of conducting targeted draws to address specific labor market needs.
Since February, the province has been conducting two types of PNP draws: a general draw and a second targeted draw focused on candidates in occupations with high registration volumes, specifically retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and foodservice managers (NOC 0631). This dual-draw approach allows British Columbia to effectively manage demand in sectors that are both oversubscribed and underserved.
In the general draw, 323 invitations were issued under both the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. These included applicants from sub-categories such as Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled. The minimum scores required for this round ranged from 76 to 93 points, depending on the category.
An additional 50 invitations were issued in a separate, targeted draw for those under NOC 0621 and NOC 0631. Candidates in this draw required a minimum score of 110 to be invited, reflecting the competitive nature of these specific occupations.
So far in 2021, British Columbia has invited a total of 5,249 candidates through multiple BC PNP streams. This aligns with the province’s continued efforts to attract skilled talent that meets local economic demands.
The BC Provincial Nominee Program is designed to facilitate immigration for individuals who have the skills and experience required in the province. It features two main streams: Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC. Each stream is further divided into multiple sub-categories, all managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Candidates must first create a profile in the SIRS system to be considered. They are then scored based on several factors such as education, work experience, and language proficiency. Periodically, the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for a provincial nomination, which significantly boosts their chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence.
As the global talent landscape evolves, British Columbia’s strategic use of data-driven draws helps it remain competitive in attracting skilled immigrants poised to contribute to the province’s workforce and economy.