Maple News reports that on June 1, British Columbia extended invitations to 68 skilled professionals in the technology sector through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech stream. These candidates are now eligible to apply for a provincial nomination, bringing them one step closer to permanent residency in Canada.
The invitations were issued under the BC PNP Tech, a specialized stream within the broader British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program targeting in-demand tech and IT professionals. Candidates selected in this draw were part of the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories under the Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration pathways. Each candidate needed a minimum provincial score of 80 to qualify. Once invited, applicants have 30 calendar days to submit a complete nomination application.
So far in 2021, British Columbia has invited 4,876 immigration candidates across various streams, reinforcing its commitment to attracting global talent in high-demand sectors.
Originally introduced as a pilot in May 2017, the Tech program was designed to tackle the province’s growing tech talent shortage. Over 6,000 workers have since been nominated through this agile platform, which gained recognition for its efficiency and industry impact. Due to its success and growing demand from employers, the province has now confirmed that the Tech Pilot will become a permanent fixture in its immigration strategy, now known as BC PNP Tech.
The newly permanent BC PNP Tech continues to offer priority processing and targeted invitations to individuals in 29 high-demand tech occupations. To be eligible, candidates must secure a valid, full-time job offer lasting at least 12 months—with no less than 120 days remaining on the contract at the time of application—from an eligible B.C. employer.
Unlike other PNP streams, BC PNP Tech eliminates the need for long-term, indefinite job offers, providing a faster and more responsive immigration route for both employers and candidates. As Canadian tech employers compete globally for top talent, this program positions British Columbia as a premier destination for skilled international professionals.
Maple News will continue to follow developments across Canada’s provincial immigration pathways and report updates on growing opportunities in the tech sector.