Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia issued a total of 395 invitations to immigration candidates through two separate Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws conducted on June 22, 2021. These latest rounds are part of the province’s ongoing efforts to address labor shortages and ensure a balanced distribution of talent across sectors.
Since February, B.C. has been running a dual-stream approach for its PNP invitations: one general draw and another targeting specific occupations with high registration volumes. The targeted draw focuses on candidates whose occupations fall under National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes 0621 (Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers) and 0631 (Restaurant and Food Service Managers). This strategy helps the province manage its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) more effectively and align immigration intake with labor market needs.
In the general draw, 341 candidates were invited from both the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. The sub-categories included Skilled Workers, International Graduates, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled workers. Minimum scores for eligibility ranged from 75 to 93, depending on the sub-category.
The targeted draw—also held through SI and EEBC streams—issued 54 invitations to candidates in the NOC 0621 and 0631 categories. Due to high demand, the cut-off score for this specialized draw was significantly higher, set at 109 points.
So far in 2021, British Columbia has issued 5,730 invitations through various BC PNP streams, demonstrating its commitment to selecting skilled talent aligned with the provincial job market.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is a key pathway for foreign nationals wishing to become permanent residents of Canada. It operates through two primary streams: Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC. Both streams include multiple sub-categories and are managed via the province’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
To be considered under SIRS, candidates must first create an account and receive a score based on factors such as education, work experience, and language ability. Those with the highest scores are invited to apply for a provincial nomination, which significantly boosts their chances for permanent residency under Canada’s immigration system.
British Columbia continues to be proactive in tailoring its immigration draws to meet real-time workforce needs, ensuring both economic growth and successful newcomer integration. Maple News will continue to monitor updates from British Columbia and other provinces on evolving immigration trends and policy changes.