Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia has issued 59 invitations to immigration candidates working in the technology sector. The invitations were part of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech draw held on July 27. This targeted draw continues the province’s efforts to attract and retain top tech talent through fast-track immigration pathways.
Candidates selected in this round were invited through the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories under either the Express Entry BC or Skills Immigration streams. All candidates were required to have a minimum provincial score of 80 to qualify for this specific draw, as assessed by the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Selected applicants now have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination. If approved, a provincial nomination significantly strengthens a candidate’s profile when applying for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The BC PNP Tech program, initially launched in May 2017 as a pilot, has become a permanent fixture due to its success and strong industry demand. The program was created in response to a provincial labor market report, which revealed that tech companies in B.C. were facing significant challenges in sourcing qualified professionals locally.
This specialized immigration stream is tailored for in-demand tech workers and international students who have secured valid job offers of at least one year in duration. The job must be full-time and offered by a qualified employer in British Columbia, with at least 120 days remaining on the offer at the time of application.
Currently, 29 tech occupations are eligible under the BC PNP Tech program, covering various roles such as software engineers, IT project managers, and web developers. Invitations are issued weekly to top-scoring candidates who meet all eligibility criteria, allowing B.C. employers to fill crucial positions quickly and sustain the province’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.
Tech applications processed under this stream are typically finalized within two to three months, offering a clear and efficient pathway to permanent residency for skilled international professionals.
As the global competition for tech talent intensifies, British Columbia continues to position itself as a leading destination for innovation and opportunity, providing international skilled workers with a promising gateway to life and career in Canada.
For more updates on Canadian immigration and provincial nomination programs, stay tuned with Maple News.