Maple News reports that British Columbia has issued 87 new invitations to tech professionals through its BC PNP Tech stream on November 16, reaffirming the province’s commitment to attracting high-demand international talent in its booming technology sector.
The invitations were sent under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), specifically its BC PNP Tech stream—a dedicated immigration pathway that helps address local labour shortages by opening doors to skilled foreign tech workers and international graduates.
To qualify for the draw, candidates had to be registered under either the Express Entry BC or Skills Immigration categories. Both streams are managed through the province’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). The selected candidates in this round scored a minimum of 75 points and came from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories.
Those invited now have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination, which can significantly fast-track their path to permanent residence in Canada.
The BC PNP Tech initiative was originally launched in 2017 as a pilot program following research that identified a talent shortage in British Columbia’s tech ecosystem. Due to its success, it was made a permanent feature of the provincial immigration framework in 2021.
The program is designed to help B.C.-based tech employers fill vacancies when local experience is limited or unavailable. It features accelerated processing for eligible tech talent who have a job offer for at least one year in any of the 29 designated tech occupations. Job offers must be full-time and valid for at least 120 days at the time of application.
So far in 2021, British Columbia has issued over 10,500 invitations through various BC PNP streams, with the Tech stream playing a pivotal role in bringing global expertise into Canada’s innovation landscape.
Through pathways like BC PNP Tech, British Columbia continues to bolster its reputation as a key destination for international tech professionals, offering not just job opportunities but also a clear route to permanent residency in one of Canada’s most vibrant provinces.