Maple News reports that on December 22, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) invited 230 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. The invitations were extended through both the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams—key pathways designed to support the province’s labor market needs.
Candidates were selected from various sub-streams including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled categories. Minimum scores to receive an invitation ranged from 77 to 99, depending on the stream:
– Skills Immigration: Skilled Worker – 95
– Skills Immigration: International Graduate – 95
– Skills Immigration: Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled – 77
– Express Entry BC: Skilled Worker – 99
– Express Entry BC: International Graduate – 99
Due to ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, BC has continued to place temporary restrictions on certain occupations, which remain excluded from the current draw cycle. The targeted draws aim to prioritize candidates for roles with critical labor shortages across the province.
The BC PNP is designed to attract skilled talent who can contribute to British Columbia’s economy and support its diverse industries. By leveraging both direct provincial streams and the federal Express Entry system, BC offers international graduates and experienced professionals an accelerated pathway to permanent residency.
To qualify under either the Skills Immigration or EEBC streams, candidates must first register through the BC PNP’s online portal under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Applicants are assessed based on several factors, including education, job offer location, work experience, language proficiency, and salary.
Those who receive a nomination from British Columbia through the Express Entry-aligned stream will benefit from an automatic 600-point boost to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, greatly increasing their likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system.
Maple News continues to monitor and report on regional immigration developments to keep skilled workers, international graduates, and employers informed of the latest pathways and opportunities for immigration to Canada’s provinces.