Maple News reports that British Columbia has issued 100 new invitations to immigration candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) on October 20. The draw included streams targeting skilled immigrants, recent international graduates, and entrepreneurs seeking to establish businesses in the province.
Of the total invitations, 80 were distributed through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams. These invitations went to candidates under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories, with a minimum required score of 80 across all groups. These programs target individuals with a strong combination of education, work experience, and language skills.
In a parallel segment of the draw, 20 invitations were issued under B.C.’s Entrepreneur Immigration program. This included 15 invitations through the Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category and 5 through the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot. The minimum score for selection in the Base Category was 122, while the threshold for the Regional Pilot was 109.
B.C. actively manages its immigration intake through various streams aligned with labor market needs. Draws are conducted nearly every week as the province seeks to attract talent to support its economy. Notably, the largest PNP draw this year occurred on September 29, when 450 invitations were issued in a single selection round.
The province also runs weekly Tech Pilot draws to address gaps in its booming technology sector. The Tech Pilot targets candidates with job offers in one of 29 eligible tech occupations. To qualify, candidates must be registered in an existing BC PNP stream and hold a valid 12-month job offer in a designated tech role.
To participate in BC PNP’s Skills Immigration or EEBC streams, individuals must create an online profile and register through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Candidates are assessed based on factors such as their education, work experience, language proficiency, and place of employment in B.C.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination are then eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the federal Provincial Nominee Program. With an active and responsive nomination program, British Columbia continues to be a top choice for newcomers aiming to build their futures in Canada.