Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia invited 74 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence in its latest Tech Pilot draw held on February 9.
The invitations were issued through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) under the Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration categories. Eligible candidates were selected from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories. All invited individuals had to meet a minimum provincial score of 80, consistent with scores seen in other Tech Pilot draws this year.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot is a fast-tracked immigration stream launched in 2017 to address labor shortages in the province’s tech sector. It targets highly skilled tech professionals and international graduates, offering them a streamlined route to Canadian permanent residence. This pilot program has been extended several times, with the current extension valid until June 2021.
To qualify for the Tech Pilot, candidates must be registered under one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and hold a valid job offer of at least one year in one of 29 eligible tech occupations. These include roles in software development, engineering, digital media, and IT support, among others.
Applicants are required to create a profile in the BC PNP’s online system and register under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Candidates are assessed and scored based on several criteria including education level, work experience, and the strength of their B.C. job offer.
Those applying through the Express Entry BC pathway who receive a provincial nomination gain an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This significantly boosts their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an upcoming federal Express Entry draw, bringing them one step closer to permanent residency in Canada.
British Columbia continues to position itself as a leading destination for technology talent. The Tech Pilot initiative has proven to be a successful strategy in attracting skilled workers who contribute to the growth and innovation of B.C.’s dynamic tech industry.