Maple News reports that on September 22, British Columbia extended invitations to 74 skilled tech professionals through its latest BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech Pilot draw. The draw targeted candidates registered under the Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration streams, continuing the province’s ongoing commitment to growing its tech workforce.
Candidates selected in this round were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and required a minimum provincial score of 80. This threshold is consistent with previous Tech Pilot draws since May, reflecting stability in the scoring criteria for tech-related immigration paths.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot is a specialized fast-track immigration stream designed to attract international talent in the technology sector. Initially launched in 2017, the program has been repeatedly extended due to strong demand, with its current iteration scheduled to run until at least June 2021.
To qualify, individuals must be registered in one of B.C.’s existing immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least one year in one of 29 eligible tech occupations. These include roles across software development, engineering, and IT support functions—sectors experiencing significant growth in British Columbia.
Applicants are evaluated using the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where they are scored based on education, professional experience, and the specifics of their B.C.-based employment offer. The SIRS score directly influences whether a candidate receives an invitation in any particular draw cycle.
Those applying via the Express Entry BC stream benefit from an added advantage: receiving a provincial nomination grants an extra 600 points under Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), virtually securing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in an upcoming federal draw.
British Columbia’s Tech Pilot continues to serve as a key pathway for employers seeking to fill crucial roles with global talent while offering skilled professionals a streamlined route to Canadian permanent residency. According to Maple News, with the tech sector continuing to surge, these draws are expected to remain a cornerstone of the province’s immigration strategy.