Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia extended invitations to 358 immigration candidates on November 10 through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The selected individuals are now eligible to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
Invitations were issued under both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams. These streams target skilled individuals with experience in high-demand occupations and include subcategories such as Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled.
The minimum scores required for this draw varied by category. For candidates applying under the Skills Immigration stream, the minimum points were as follows:
– Skilled Worker: 93 points
– International Graduate: 94 points
– Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled: 75 points
Under the EEBC stream, the thresholds were slightly lower:
– Skilled Worker: 92 points
– International Graduate: 93 points
Due to ongoing economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, British Columbia continues to temporarily exclude certain occupations from its draws. A full list of these excluded jobs is maintained by the BC PNP.
To be considered under the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC pathways, candidates must first create an online profile through the BC PNP’s portal and register via the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Applicants receive a score based on criteria such as education, work experience, English proficiency, and the location of their employment in the province.
Those who receive a provincial nomination can then apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Notably, Express Entry candidates nominated by B.C. receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
According to Maple News, B.C. conducts PNP draws regularly, often on a weekly basis, as it continues to select skilled immigrants to support its labor market and economic goals.