Express Entry BC (EEBC) Pathways

Receive priority in processing their BC PNP immigration application through Express Entry BC streams. Obtain additional 600 CRS points through EEBC. We help skilled workers and international students with BC PNP Express Entry.

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Overview

Prospective immigrants who would like to settle in British Columbia (B.C.) can apply through the EEBC – Express Entry BC pathways. In this comprehensive guide, we will learn about different BC PNP Programs which are aligned with the Federal Express Entry system. Let’s understand how it works, and what minimum eligibility requirements you need to be able to apply for Express Entry BC programs.

What is Express Entry BC?

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) was aligned with the Express Entry system when it was introduced in 2015 by IRCC. Express Entry BC -EEBC is a tool that helps eligible applicants receive priority in processing their BC PNP immigration application. Prospective immigrants who wish to apply through this program will need to meet the province’s minimum requirements to be eligible for BC PNP. Applicants can apply through one of the following streams:

BC PNP Express Entry Skilled Worker
BC PNP Express Entry Health Authority
BC PNP Express Entry International Post Graduate
BC PNP Express Entry International Graduate

It should be noted that applicants must also be eligible through one of the existing federal immigration programs to apply through Express Entry. These programs are Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class.

BC PNP Express Entry Programs

Let’s learn about the BC PNP programs you can apply for that come under Express Entry BC.

1. EEBC - Skilled Worker

The Express Entry BC (EEBC) Skilled Worker category of British Columbia PNP is designed for foreign skilled workers who have education and experience in high-demand occupations. There is a variety of professional, technical, trade, and managerial occupations that qualify you for obtaining permanent residence in BC.

Eligibility Requirements

To be able to apply for Canada PR under this category and become a provincial nominee in the province of British Columbia, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Meet the basic criteria for one of the Express Entry immigration programs
Receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code.
Obtain a valid job offer from an employer in BC for a full-time position without a set end date. The job must be in one of the skilled occupations of NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
Have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience.
Show enough funds to support your family during Canadian immigration.
Be eligible for legal immigration status in Canada.
Meet the language requirements if your occupation falls into NOC TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Your wage offer should align with BC wage rates for your occupation.

Express Entry BC Skilled Worker Category

2. EEBC - Heath Authority Category

To meet the demand for healthcare professionals, the province of British Columbia launched a particular immigration category in the BC Provincial Nominee Program. If you are qualified to work in public health, you can gain permanent residence in BC under the category of Express Entry BC Health Authority.

The most significant part of the application process is finding a job in the healthcare sector. You can use the Health Match BC service to access job opportunities with BC health authorities. You can also benefit from consulting their staff members who can answer your questions and support you during the application process.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the EEBC Health Authority category of British Columbia PNP, you will need to do the following:

Meet the essential criteria for one of the Express Entry immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class).
You must receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code.
Get and accept a job offer for a full-time permanent position with a public health authority as a physician, specialist, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, nurse practitioner, or allied health professional.
Obtain a confirmation letter from an established practice group in BC if you are a midwife.
Have a wage offer that aligns with local wage rates in your occupation.
Be able to perform your work duties and qualify for your profession.
Have at least two years of relevant work experience.
Demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada.
Meet the language requirements if your occupation equals NOC TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Be eligible for Canadian immigration.

Express Entry BC Health Authority Category

3. EEBC - International Graduate

The Express Entry BC International Graduate category is a pathway to Canadian immigration for those who completed a program at an eligible Canadian university or college and want to apply their knowledge and skills to the benefit of the BC economy. This category can help you get a chance to stay in Canada and gain permanent residence in BC.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered a provincial nominee under the EEBC international graduate category, you will need to meet the main requirements listed below:

Meet the essential criteria for one of the Express Entry Programs
You must receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code.
You must have a valid, full-time job offer from a BC employer. The job title must be listed in a National Occupational Classification, and the occupation must be TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
You must have graduated from a degree, diploma, or certificate program from a qualifying post-secondary educational institution within the past three years.
You need to qualify to work in your occupation.
You must meet minimum language requirements if your occupation is in NOC TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5.
The wage offered to you should match your profession’s wage rates in BC.
You must prove that you can support yourself and your dependents while settling in BC.
You must be eligible to obtain legal immigration status in Canada.

Express Entry BC International Graduate Category

4. EEBC - International Post-Graduate

BC PNP program offers those who have earned a graduate degree from a qualifying BC institution an opportunity to obtain Canada PR through the Express Entry BC International Post-Graduate category. This category is designed for specialists in the sectors of technology, healthcare, and applied sciences. If you are willing to pursue a BC provincial nomination under this category, you don’t need a job offer to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the British Columbia PNP as an international post-graduate, you must have obtained a master’s or doctorate (Ph.D.) degree in one of the following disciplines:

agriculture
biological and biomedical sciences
computer and information sciences and support services
engineering
engineering technology
health professions and related clinical sciences
mathematics and statistics
natural resources conservation and research
physical sciences

The list of eligible educational institutions for this category consists of:

Private post-secondary institutions:
- New York Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Trinity Western University
Public post-secondary institutions:
- British Columbia Institute of Technology
- Royal Roads University
- Simon Fraser University
- Thompson Rivers University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Victoria

If your program and educational institution are not on the list, you won’t be able to apply under the EEBC international post-graduate category. However, you might qualify to apply under the international graduate category instead.

Other eligibility criteria include:

You need to meet the basic criteria for one of the Express Entry immigration programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class). You must receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code.
Your degree must have been earned from one of the eligible post-secondary institutions in BC within the last three years.
You must be suitable for legal Canadian immigration.
You need to show your desire and ability to stay in BC permanently.

Express Entry BC International Post-Graduate Category

Eligibility Requirements for EEBC

General Requirements

To be eligible for the Express Entry BC (EEBC), applicants must meet some general requirements. This includes:

Meeting the criteria for any one of the federal economic immigration programs mentioned above.
Acquiring a valid Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code from IRCC, in addition to indicating their interest in settling in B.C.
Receiving a nomination through one of the BC PNP Express Entry categories.

It is vital for all applicants to ensure that they meet the BC PNP’s minimum criteria and one of the federal economic immigration programs before they apply. Applicants will also need to pay a CAD $1150 application fee along with their online application before it can be processed.

Employment Requirements

To be eligible for the BC PNP Express Entry program, applicants must meet the following employment requirements. This includes:

Having accepted a full-time employment offer from a B.C employer in an eligible occupation within B.C.
Being qualified for the position they are offered. The BC PNP follows the National Occupation Code (NOC) classification, WorkBC, and or industry standards in determining qualifications for an occupation position.
Being offered a wage rate that is competitive with BC wage rates for the same occupation.

An applicant’s employment must also contribute to:

Sustaining or producing jobs for Canadians.
Transferring skills and knowledge to Canadians.
Supporting new product development.
Growing the workforce via major projects.

Minimum Income Requirements

To be eligible for the BC PNP Express Entry program, applicants must meet the following employment requirements. This includes:

Applicants applying through any of the Express Entry BC streams with the exception of the International Post-Graduate category must demonstrate they meet the minimum income requirements. These requirements are related to:

Their annual wage in British Columbia.
The location of their residence is British Columbia.
The number of dependents with them.

The BC PNP requires applicants to meet their minimum family income requirements. This income is the applicant’s regular gross annual wage from their BC employer. If the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner possesses a valid work permit or employment authorization, their income will be added when calculating the total family income.

The family income threshold for the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the rest of B.C are shown in the following table.

Minimum Family Income Requirements
Family Size	Greater Vancouver Regional District	Rest of B.C
1	$22,804	$19,006
2	$28,390	$23,659
3	$34,902	$29,087
4	$42,376	$35,316
5	$48,062	$40,054
6	$54,205	$45,175
7 or more	$60,350	$50,296

Language Requirements

To be eligible for the BC PNP Express Entry program, applicants must meet the following employment requirements. This includes:

Applicants are required to meet the minimum language requirements outlined by IRCC. Language skills can be proved by taking one of the approved language tests. This includes:

The minimum score that is required for each of these tests is shown in the following table:

Minimum Language Score Requirements
	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS	4.5	3.5	4.0	4.0
CELPIP	4	4	4	4
TEF	145	121	181	181

Language test scores are valid for a total of two years from their issuance date. Applicants must have a valid language test score ready when they apply for Express Entry BC.

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Step-By-Step Process: Express Entry BC

The process of registering and applying for permanent residency under the Express Entry BC of the BC PNP consists of several stages. Understanding the requirements on every step and making sure you have the necessary documents ready will help you obtain your Canada PR successfully.

1. Submit Registration

During the first stage, you will be required to register with the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), allowing the BC PNP to assess your information, including the job offer, education and work experience, language skills, and wages. This will ensure that you meet the basic program and category requirements.

If you are applying under the EEBC – Skilled Worker and EEBC – International Graduate categories, you will need to register with the SIRS. EEBC – Healthcare Professional and EEBC – International Post-Graduate applicants should apply directly through BC PNP Online.

Before you register with the BC PNP online, you must create an online profile with the IRCC Express Entry System. You must be acceptable to one of the following immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class

When you receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code, you will be able to create an online profile with the BC PNP, complete all the registration sections and submit your registration. The registration indicates your interest to apply through the BC PNP Express Entry.

However, it’s not yet an application for Canadian immigration.

Your registration information enters a selection pool of candidates and stays there for up to 12 months or until you are invited to apply. The registrants are chosen based on their score which is affected by the following factors:

The National Occupation Classification skill level of your job offer.
The wage you are offered for your work.
The location of your potential employment.
Work experience that is directly relevant to your job.
Your education level.
Your language abilities.

2. Invitation to Apply

If you are a candidate with one of the highest scores, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry BC stream. Invitations are issued based on the annual quota for BC PNP nominations set by the IRCC. You can check the official BC provincial nominee program website for more information regarding the draw dates, the number of invitations, and minimum scores.

Once you receive an invitation, you will have up to 30 calendar days to submit your complete application through BC PNP Online. Please note that an invitation to apply doesn’t guarantee that your application will be approved.

If you are not invited to proceed with your application, you can work on improving your scores and re-entering the pool of candidates again later.

3. Application

You will be given 30 days to apply through BC PNP online. You will be required to complete the application forms and provide all the necessary documents to support the application. You will also need to pay a CAD $700 application fee.

The BC PNP will process your application according to the Provincial Immigration Programs Act and Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation as per the specific criteria for your Express Entry BC category. If it is approved, you will receive a provincial nomination and apply for permanent residence.

4. Applying for Permanent Residence

Once you receive a provincial nomination, you will be able to apply to IRCC for permanent residence in Canada via the Express Entry system. You must accept the nomination to receive a federal invitation to apply for permanent residence as a provincial nominee from IRCC.
Receiving a nomination from the BC PNP doesn’t authorize you to work while IRCC is processing your application for Canada PR. If you plan to work in BC during this time, you will have to obtain or extend your work permit. You must apply to IRCC for your work permit.

Express Entry BC vs. BC PNP Skills Immigration

The BC PNP Express Entry program should not be confused with the BC PNP Skills Immigration. Both these programs are popular with prospective immigrants who wish to settle in British Columbia. The major differences between both pathways are:

BC PNP Skills Immigration program does not require applicants to be eligible through the federal immigration programs mentioned above.
BC PNP Skills Immigration also includes categories for Semi-Skilled and Unskilled Occupations classified under NOC TEER 2, 3, 4 or 5.

How ELAAR can help you?

Prospective immigrants who wish to immigrate to British Columbia through any of the Express Entry BC programs mentioned above should contact our experts. Our exceptional team of RCICs understands the EEBC requirements. They can assess your BC PNP Express Entry eligibility and optimize your application. Make your journey to Canada easier under the guidance of the experts at Elaar Immigration by contacting us today.