Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia has issued 74 invitations to immigration candidates through its BC PNP Tech stream on September 21. This targeted draw aims to bolster B.C.’s technology sector by attracting skilled international talent where local labor is in short supply.
The BC PNP Tech stream operates under the broader British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) and is tailored to support the province’s growing demand for skilled tech workers. Candidates selected in this round belonged to the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories. They required a minimum provincial score of 80 to be eligible for an invitation.
The program utilizes the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS) to manage applications, ensuring that high-scoring candidates with qualifying job offers in the tech sector are prioritized. Once invited, candidates have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination.
Since the beginning of 2021, British Columbia has issued more than 8,661 invitations through various streams under its provincial nominee program.
BC PNP Tech was originally introduced as a pilot in May 2017 to address findings from a labor market study highlighting a significant talent shortage in B.C.’s fast-growing tech industry. The success of the pilot led to its establishment as a permanent immigration pathway in June 2021.
This specialized stream offers a fast-tracked immigration process for foreign tech workers and international graduates with skills in 29 key tech occupations. To qualify, candidates must have a job offer of at least 12 months—with a minimum of 120 days remaining—at the time of application. The offer must be for full-time employment with an eligible B.C. employer.
Unlike other BC PNP categories, BC PNP Tech sends out invitations on a weekly basis. This frequency aims to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to meet the dynamic demands of the technology sector in the province.
According to Maple News, as Canada continues to position itself as a global hub for technology and innovation, programs like BC PNP Tech remain critical tools in helping employers bridge workforce shortages and maintain competitiveness on a global scale.