Maple News reports that on August 25, British Columbia extended 72 invitations to apply for provincial nomination through its Tech Pilot under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). These invitations were issued to skilled foreign tech workers and international graduates in response to growing demand in the province’s rapidly expanding technology sector.
The latest draw targeted candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories of both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams. All invited candidates required a minimum score of 80—unchanged from previous tech-specific draws.
Launched in 2017, the BC PNP Tech Pilot is a focused immigration initiative designed to help provincial tech employers gain faster access to global talent in 29 in-demand tech occupations. These occupations include software engineers, IT project managers, and data analysts, among others. The program supports B.C.’s tech industry in filling persistent labor shortages, especially amid digital economic growth.
To be eligible under the Tech Pilot, candidates must be registered in one of B.C.’s existing immigration streams and possess a valid job offer of at least one year in a designated tech occupation. Interested individuals must first create an online profile through the BC PNP portal and register under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where they are assigned a score based on various factors, including education, work experience, English language skills, and job location within the province.
Those who receive a provincial nomination from B.C. can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Class. Express Entry candidates who receive a B.C. nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in upcoming federal Express Entry draws.
So far in August, B.C. has conducted four PNP draws across different streams, resulting in a total of 863 invitations. The consistent frequency of these draws showcases the province’s proactive efforts to meet both short-term labor needs and long-term economic goals.
Across Canada, provincial nominee programs like those in B.C. and Ontario are increasingly focused on inviting tech talent, acknowledging the essential role of digital innovation in national economic recovery and growth—even in the midst of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts underline Canada’s commitment to attracting top tech professionals and reinforcing its reputation as a global destination for tech careers.