Maple News reports that British Columbia has invited 488 immigration candidates in its latest round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, held on August 31, 2021. The invitations were distributed across four separate draws aimed at attracting in-demand workers to support the province’s labor market needs.
Since February, B.C. has been conducting bi-monthly PNP draws — one general and one occupation-specific. The targeted draws focus on candidates in high-registration occupations, particularly retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631). This strategy helps balance invitations across sectors and avoid oversaturation in specific job categories.
In the August 31 general draw, 467 invitations were issued to candidates in both the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. Eligible sub-categories included Skilled Workers, International Graduates, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled workers. Minimum scores for these categories ranged from 69 to 90 points, depending on the sub-stream.
A separate, targeted draw focused exclusively on candidates in NOC 0621 and NOC 0631. In this round, an additional 21 invitations were issued to candidates with scores of 106, reflecting the province’s need to streamline applicants in high-demand roles.
In total, B.C. has issued over 8,000 invitations through the BC PNP so far this year, underscoring the province’s commitment to attracting skilled global talent across multiple industries.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is designed to support economic growth by inviting skilled foreign workers to become permanent residents in the province. The program operates two main streams — Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC — both of which are managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
SIRS assigns candidates a score based on key factors including education, work experience, and language proficiency. Highest-ranking candidates are then invited to apply for a provincial nomination, which can significantly enhance their chances of receiving permanent residency through Canada’s federal immigration pathways.
With regular draws and targeted selection, the BC PNP remains an attractive option for candidates seeking a permanent future in one of Canada’s most economically dynamic provinces.