Maple News reports that on December 7, British Columbia extended immigration invitations to 318 candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), continuing its strategy to attract skilled talent suited to the province’s labor market needs.
The invitations were issued via two separate draws targeting applicants under the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. Within these streams, invitations went to candidates in sub-categories that included Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled workers.
Of the total invitations, 267 were sent through a general draw. Minimum score requirements for this group varied between 71 and 100, depending on the applicant’s stream and sub-category. Scores are determined by British Columbia’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), a points-based system that evaluates factors like work experience, language proficiency, and education.
In addition, a targeted draw focused on candidates whose occupations fall under the National Occupation Classifications (NOC) codes 0621 (retail and wholesale trade managers) and 0631 (restaurant and food service managers). This specialized draw invited 51 candidates with uniform minimum scores of 103.
Since February, the province has been conducting these specialized draws bi-monthly to address a surplus of registrants in certain sectors within SIRS. These targeted invitations help maintain a balanced labor market approach while addressing the province’s economic priorities.
To date in 2023, British Columbia has issued over 11,000 invitations across various streams within the BC PNP, underscoring its robust commitment to welcoming international talent.
The BC PNP is designed to help meet the province’s economic demands by selecting candidates who possess the experience and qualifications required in key industries. Those selected receive a provincial nomination, significantly increasing their chances of receiving permanent residency through Canada’s federal immigration system.
Candidates interested in British Columbia’s immigration pathways must register through SIRS to be considered for future draws. Those with the highest scores in each category are invited to apply for a provincial nomination when regular draws are conducted.
Through BC PNP, British Columbia continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Canada’s economic growth by selecting prospective immigrants aligned with the province’s workforce needs.