Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia extended 357 invitations to immigration candidates through two separate draws under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) on November 23.
The invitations were sent to individuals registered under the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. Within these streams, candidates came from various sub-categories, including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled.
Out of the total, 258 candidates received invitations in a general draw. To qualify, they needed to meet minimum score thresholds ranging from 71 to 97, based on their specific sub-category within the BC PNP eligibility system.
An additional 99 invitations were issued through a targeted draw focusing exclusively on candidates whose occupations align with National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes 0621 (retail and wholesale trade managers) and 0631 (restaurant and food service managers). These candidates were required to have a minimum score of 103, regardless of their specific stream or sub-category.
British Columbia has been holding separate targeted draws twice monthly since February, responding to a high volume of applicants in certain labor market sectors. These draws are part of the province’s ongoing efforts to strategically manage immigration to meet specific workforce needs.
According to Maple News, nearly 11,000 invitations have been issued in 2023 through various PNP streams, highlighting the robust role the program plays in addressing regional labor shortages and attracting skilled workers.
The BC PNP is designed to support the province’s economic development by nominating individuals who possess the skills and experience in demand locally. The program operates two primary streams—Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC—which are further divided into sub-categories based on applicants’ qualifications and job roles.
Candidates must first register through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), where they are assessed and scored based on factors such as education, professional experience, and language proficiency. The highest-ranking individuals are then invited to apply for provincial nomination, bringing them a major step closer to Canadian permanent residency.