Maple News reports that the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has invited 80 skilled tech professionals to apply for provincial nomination in its latest Tech Pilot draw, held on January 12, 2021.
This marks the second BC PNP draw of the year and continues the province’s targeted recruitment efforts within the technology sector. Tech Pilot draws are held on a weekly basis, offering fast-tracked pathway opportunities for international talents holding job offers in British Columbia’s growing tech industry.
The 80 invited candidates came from both the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories under the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC streams. To receive an invitation, candidates were required to have a minimum provincial registration score of 80.
The BC PNP operates under a points-based assessment system called the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Scores are determined based on several factors including work experience, education, language skills, and the candidate’s job offer in British Columbia. Invitation scores vary by occupation demand and labor market needs.
Candidates who applied through the Express Entry BC stream and receive a provincial nomination from British Columbia will be awarded an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This significantly boosts their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence in subsequent federal draws.
In the previous draw on January 5, 2021, British Columbia issued 168 invitations to candidates across several categories, including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled.
Selected candidates from the January 12 draw now have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application through the BC PNP’s online portal. While an invitation to apply is a positive step forward, it does not guarantee nomination approval. Successful applicants will then be able to apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Through continued draws like this, British Columbia is reaffirming its commitment to attracting global tech talent and supporting workforce development in high-demand sectors across the province.