Immigrate to British Columbia, Canada as a skilled worker through BC PNP Skills Immigration Category. Check your eligibility today.
Overview
British Columbia offers numerous immigration programs to attract skilled workers from across the globe. These programs generally fall under the BC PNP Skills Immigration Category. BC offers multiple provincial nominee programs targeting tech workers, foreign nationals, and entrepreneurs. This comprehensive guide will examine each of these BC Skills immigration programs and how they work.
What is the BC PNP Skills Immigration?
The BC PNP Skills Immigration category is one of the province’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) subcategories. It contains programs that offer a Canadian permanent residence pathway for qualified foreign workers in specific fields. These programs are:
Some of these programs are aligned with the Express Entry system, while others are not. Applicants should therefore understand the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC requirements before applying to such programs.
Prospective applicants should also calculate their score under the BC PNP points calculator and determine if they meet the minimum threshold for the BC PNP latest draw. This BC PNP points system helps the province filter the best candidates, so prospective immigrants should ensure they score well on it.
Program Overviews
A brief overview of each of the programs under the BC PNP Skills Immigration category is given below:
1. BC PNP Tech
The British Columbia Tech PNP is for employers in British Columbia’s tech industry who wish to recruit foreign workers. Such employers can hire these workers and help them immigrate only if there are no Canadian residents or permanent residents available to fill the position.
The program offers a speedy pathway for workers in the tech industry who would experience longer processing times if they applied through other programs.
2. SI - Skilled Worker
The BC PNP Skilled Worker program is for skilled workers in professional, technical, management, trades, or other occupations who possess a valid Canadian job offer and wish to settle in British Columbia.
The province created the BC Skilled worker program to attract foreign workers who can fill vital job positions in the country. Prospective Skilled Worker BC PNP applicants must ensure they are qualified for the position they have received their job offer in.
3. SI - Health Authority Category
This program is for individuals that have graduated from a Canadian College or University and possess a job offer from a recognized Canadian employer.
It is intended to encourage international students to settle in British Columbia and become part of the province’s workforce.
Learn more about the BC PNP SI International Graduate category.
4. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)
The BC PNP Entry Level and Semi-Skilled program offer an immigration route for workers in specific occupations in the following industries: Long-haul trucking, Tourism, and hospitality, Healthcare, Food processing , etc.
This program caters to workers with valid Canadian job offers that work in occupations considered less skilled than those in the Skilled Worker category.
5. International Graduate
This program is for individuals that have graduated from a Canadian College or University and possess a job offer from a recognized Canadian employer. For this, an applicant must earn a degree, diploma, or certificate from an approved post-secondary school in Canada.
Please see the Program Guide for more information on the degrees, diplomas, and certifications that are eligible.
6. International Post-Graduate
BC PNP SI International Post-Graduate program offers an immigration pathway for individuals that have graduated with a degree in engineering or science from a British Columbia College or University. The province has omitted any job offer requirement for this program to encourage educated science and engineering graduates to settle in British Columbia.
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BC PNP SI Requirements
Each program under the Skills Immigration category has distinct requirements. Some of these are shown in the table below.
| Program Name | Intention to Live in BC | Job Offer | Work Experience | Qualifications | Wages | Minimum Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes | Yes | Two years in NOC 0, A, or B. | Qualified to perform duties for NOC 0, A, or B occupation. | Must match the average BC wage rate for the occupation. | $26,426 CAD inside Vancouver. $22,024 outside Vancouver. |
| Healthy Authority | Yes | Yes | Requirements set by the health authority. | Requirements set by the health authority. | Must match the average BC wage rate for the occupation. | $26,426 CAD inside Vancouver. $22,024 outside Vancouver. |
| International Graduate | Yes | Yes | None | Possess a degree, certificate, or diploma from a BC College or University and the qualifications to work in the job offer’s occupation. | Must match the average BC wage rate for the occupation. | $26,426 CAD inside Vancouver. $22,024 outside Vancouver. |
| International Post-Graduate | Yes | No | None | Possess a graduate degree in the engineering or science fields from a BC University. | No requirement | $26,426 CAD inside Vancouver. $22,024 outside Vancouver. |
| ELSS | Yes | Yes | Nine months with the same employer. | Must meet the qualifications for the job they are currently working in. | Must match the average BC wage rate for the occupation. | $26,426 CAD inside Vancouver. $22,024 outside Vancouver. |
| BC PNP Tech | Yes | Yes | Same as Skilled Worker or International Graduate category applicant has chosen. | Same as Skilled Worker or International Graduate category applicant has chosen. | Same as Skilled Worker or International Graduate category applicant has chosen | $26,426 CAD inside Vancouver. $22,024 outside Vancouver. |
How ELAAR can help you?
Prospective immigrants who wish to immigrate to British Columbia through any of the programs in the Skills Immigration category should contact us. Our exceptional team of Regulated Immigration Consultants understands the requirements for each program and can guide you through the application process.
Immigrate to Canada through BC PNP Skills Immigration
Immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker through British Columbia’s BC PNP Skills Immigration Category.
