Maple News reports that British Columbia invited 358 skilled immigration candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) on October 26, 2021. This latest draw targeted applicants in key economic sectors via the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams.
Candidates selected in this round were drawn from multiple subcategories including Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry Level and Semi-Skilled pathways. The minimum required scores for selection ranged from 68 to 91 points, depending on the stream, with 306 of the total invitations issued in the general draw.
In addition to the general draw, British Columbia conducted a separate targeted draw focused on specific high-demand occupations. This additional draw, also under the SI and EEBC streams, invited 52 candidates working as retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631). The candidates in this group needed to score at least 104 points to receive an invitation.
Since February, the province has adopted a strategy of holding targeted invitation rounds twice monthly to manage the increasing volume of registrants through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), particularly in overrepresented sectors. This approach helps maintain a balanced intake aligned with regional labor market demands.
With these latest draws, British Columbia has now surpassed 10,000 invitations issued in 2021 through various BC PNP streams — a milestone that reflects the province’s sustained efforts to attract and retain global talent.
The BC PNP is one of Canada’s prominent immigration pathways, designed to welcome foreign workers who possess in-demand skills and who intend to settle permanently in British Columbia. It operates two primary immigration streams — Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC — each with several subcategories tailored to different professional and educational backgrounds.
To qualify under these streams, applicants are generally required to hold a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer. The program is particularly attractive to international graduates and skilled workers looking to transition from temporary to permanent residency in a province known for its strong economy and high quality of life.
As labor market needs evolve, B.C. continues to adapt its immigration strategies to ensure that employers have access to qualified workers while providing newcomers with opportunities to build successful lives in Canada.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on provincial and federal immigration developments across Canada.