Maple News reports that British Columbia has invited 216 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw held on February 2, 2021. This latest draw targeted skilled workers and international graduates under both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams.
Of the total invitations issued, 208 were extended to candidates under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories. To qualify, applicants had to meet minimum score thresholds that varied by subcategory. Under the EEBC stream, the minimum scores were 104 for Skilled Workers and 100 for International Graduates.
In the Skills Immigration categories, minimum scores were slightly lower: 98 points each for both Skilled Workers and International Graduates and 79 points for the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category. These scores reflect the competitive nature of British Columbia’s selection process, which assesses candidates based on factors such as work experience, education, language ability, and employment location.
Candidates nominated through the EEBC stream must have already submitted a profile to Canada’s federal Express Entry system. Upon receiving a provincial nomination, they are awarded an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The province noted that the February 2 draw continued its policy of excluding certain sales and service occupations, a measure linked to ongoing labor market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach aligns with draw trends seen in British Columbia in recent months.
British Columbia conducts PNP draws nearly every week to meet provincial labor market demands and support economic recovery. As of early February, the province has issued a total of 740 invitations in 2021.
To participate in future draws, individuals interested in the Skills Immigration or EEBC categories must create an online profile with the BC PNP and register through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Candidates are then scored and ranked based on several factors, including education credentials, professional experience, and English proficiency.
Maple News will continue to provide updates on upcoming BC PNP draws and developments in Canadian provincial immigration programs.