Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia has issued a total of 379 invitations to immigration candidates as part of its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws held on May 11. The province continues its bi-weekly strategy of conducting two separate rounds of invitations—one general draw and another focused on key high-demand occupations.
Since February, British Columbia has been conducting targeted PNP draws to address specific labor market needs. In the general draw, 331 candidates were invited through both the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. Included in this group were applicants from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled sub-categories. The minimum scores for selection in this round ranged between 77 and 94 points.
In a second, occupation-specific draw, B.C. invited 48 candidates working as retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631). These candidates needed a higher score of 112 points to be selected. The targeted approach reflects the province’s effort to prioritize industries with immediate workforce shortages.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is designed to attract skilled foreign workers and international graduates who can contribute to the province’s economy. It offers immigration pathways through two main streams: Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC. These are managed under the province’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where candidates are assigned scores based on factors such as education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Only the highest-scoring candidates in each draw receive invitations to apply for a provincial nomination. Those who are invited have 30 days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application through the BC PNP’s online portal.
Receiving a provincial nomination significantly boosts a candidate’s chances of securing permanent residency in Canada, particularly if they are in the federal Express Entry system, as a nomination adds 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
This strategic mix of general and targeted draws allows British Columbia to respond effectively to current labor demands, supporting both population growth and economic development in the province.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on future draws and changes in immigration policy across Canada.