Maple News reports that British Columbia issued invitations to more than 435 immigration candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draws on August 17, 2021. The invitations reflect the province’s ongoing strategy to meet evolving labour market needs and support economic growth by welcoming skilled individuals and entrepreneurs.
Since February, the province has been holding two rounds of BC PNP invitations every month: a general draw, and a second targeted draw focusing on in-demand occupations such as retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631). These targeted draws address the high number of applicants in these sectors, ensuring a balanced approach to supporting economic sectors across British Columbia.
In the general draw, 363 invitations were issued across various BC PNP categories, including the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. Candidates from sub-categories such as Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled were among those invited. Minimum scores for these invitations ranged between 73 and 91 points.
An additional 64 invitations were issued in the targeted draw for candidates in NOC 0621 and NOC 0631, requiring a higher minimum score of 106. These targeted draws play a crucial role in aligning immigration with the province’s workforce demands.
Entrepreneurs were also part of the latest selection. B.C. extended eight invitations through its Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category and fewer than five through the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot. These streams are designed to attract innovative business owners who can invest in and expand local economies, particularly in smaller communities.
To date in 2021, British Columbia has issued more than 7,527 invitations through its Provincial Nominee Program, reaffirming its commitment to welcoming foreign talent that supports both the local job market and community development.
The BC PNP is designed to attract skilled foreign nationals interested in settling in the province as permanent residents. It operates two primary streams—Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC—each with multiple sub-categories. Applications are managed through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where candidates are assigned scores based on factors such as education level, work experience, and language proficiency.
By continually adapting its immigration draws to meet sector-specific needs, British Columbia remains one of Canada’s leading destinations for skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs seeking to build their future in Canada.