Maple News reports that British Columbia has issued 72 invitations to skilled tech professionals and international graduates in its latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held on August 25. This initiative continues through the province’s Tech Pilot program, aimed at addressing labor shortages in British Columbia’s booming technology sector.
The invitations were granted under both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams, specifically targeting the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories. The minimum required score remained steady at 80 points — consistent with the previous tech-specific draw earlier in August.
Launched in 2017, the Tech Pilot program functions as a fast-track immigration option to help employers in British Columbia recruit highly skilled workers in 29 eligible technology occupations. Candidates must have a valid job offer lasting at least 12 months to qualify.
To be considered under this program, candidates must first register through the BC PNP online portal and create a profile under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Applicants are then scored based on criteria such as education, work experience, English language proficiency, and the location of their employment in B.C.
Those who are successfully nominated gain significant advantages. For Express Entry candidates, a nomination from B.C. adds 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, effectively guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent federal draw.
British Columbia has been actively inviting candidates across numerous PNP categories. In August alone, the province has held four separate draws and issued a total of 863 invitations.
This renewed focus on technology workers comes at a critical time, given the increasing global demand for IT talent and the sector’s vital role in the Canadian economy — particularly during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maple News continues to monitor provincial and federal immigration programs that support economic priorities and provide pathways to permanent residence for highly skilled workers.