Maple News reports that on October 6, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 72 invitations to skilled technology professionals under its dedicated Tech Pilot pathway. This initiative supports B.C.’s booming tech sector by facilitating immigration for high-demand IT workers.
The invitations were extended to candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories, aligning with both the Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration streams. To be eligible for selection, all candidates needed a minimum score of 80—consistent with recent tech-specific draws held since mid-June.
British Columbia conducts weekly Tech Pilot draws, targeting individuals who have a valid job offer in one of 29 designated technology occupations. Launched in 2017, the Tech Pilot is aimed at addressing critical labor shortages in the province’s fast-growing tech industry.
To qualify, candidates must be registered under one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and hold a job offer of at least one year in an eligible tech occupation. Applicants must also create a profile on the BC PNP’s online portal and register through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where they are evaluated on various factors including education, work experience, language proficiency, and location of employment.
Once nominated by the province, candidates may apply for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Provincial Nominee Class. Additionally, candidates in the federal Express Entry pool who receive a provincial nomination from B.C. are awarded an extra 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score—almost guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a forthcoming federal draw.
British Columbia continues to be a beacon for tech professionals, combining strong economic growth with targeted immigration initiatives to attract and retain global talent. As demand for IT expertise increases across Canada, provincial programs like B.C.’s Tech Pilot play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s tech workforce.
This latest draw underscores the province’s sustained efforts to address labor market needs through innovative and responsive immigration strategies.