Maple News reports that British Columbia has invited 232 immigration candidates through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draws held on January 11. The invitations were issued under two pathways: Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC).
The January 11 draws included a general draw and a targeted one. In the general draw, 201 candidates received invitations, with minimum scores ranging from 78 to 110, depending on the category and type of application. Eligible sub-categories included Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled under both SI and EEBC pathways.
In a separate targeted draw, 31 candidates with experience under National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes 0621 (retail and wholesale trade managers) and 0631 (restaurant and food service managers) were invited. Candidates in this draw required a minimum score of 110 to qualify.
Since February 2022, British Columbia has held separate draws twice a month to manage the high volume of candidates registered through its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). This system evaluates registered candidates based on a points structure considering factors such as education, work experience, and language proficiency. Only the highest-ranking applicants are invited to apply for a provincial nomination.
The BC PNP is designed to help the province target foreign nationals with the skills and experience needed to support B.C.’s economic growth. Through its Skills Immigration and Express Entry streams, the program provides a direct path to Canadian permanent residency for professionals in high-demand sectors.
Candidates who receive a provincial nomination from British Columbia can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with additional points boosting their federal Express Entry profile, if applicable.
Maple News continues to follow updates from provincial immigration programs across Canada, offering timely coverage to help applicants navigate the changing landscape of immigration policies and opportunities.