British Columbia
Because of its proximity to both the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean on Canada’s west coast, British Columbia is a popular tourist destination. An increasing number of people want to come to the province to take advantage of its expanding economy and increasing need for skilled labour.
As Canada’s westmost province, British Columbia (BC) has long been recognized for its Pacific coast and mountain ranges. Vancouver is Canada’s third-largest metropolis and one of the country’s most varied provinces. When it comes to the finest cities to live in, Vancouver routinely ranks as one of the best.
For talented and experienced employees, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides a fast-track service for permanent residency applications. Entrepreneurs and their qualifying family members may also apply for permanent residency in British Columbia under this programme.
It was also meant to attract foreign people with the specific talents and expertise that British Columbia was looking for. High-impact employees and entrepreneurs who are well-suited to British Columbia’s job market and economic development initiatives comprise this group of foreign nationals.
Foreign nationals who apply for permanent residency via the BC PNP benefit speedier processing periods than those who apply through other Canadian immigration programmes.
As part of the BC Provincial Nominee Program, qualified people who have the requisite work experience and training to fill in-demand occupations in British Columbia are able to apply for immigration to Canada.
The immigration process and registration for the BC PNP depend on which of the pathways you can apply for, this is determined by your:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC);
- Work Experience;
- Skill Level; or
- International Student Status.
A Provincial Nomination (PN) from the province is required for those who have successfully applied to come to Canada under the programme. In order to qualify for all PNPs you will also need the following:
- Medical Certificate;
- Police Clearance
- Biometrics; Security Checks; and
- Federal Checks.
You, your spouse or partner, and your dependent children may apply for permanent residency in British Columbia if you are successful in obtaining a nomination from the province.
Below are the 4 ways to immigrate to Canada under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program:
BC Express Entry Stream
This stream enables British Columbia to propose a specific number of individuals from the Express Entry system and is one of the quickest methods to get permanent residency in the province. This stream is broken into several other categories, namely the:
- EE PNP Skilled Worker;
- EE PNP International Graduate;
- EE PNP International Post Graduate; and
- EE PNP Healthcare Professional.
EE PNP Skilled Worker
Immigrants who wish to work in high-demand fields across Canada, but not exclusively in British Columbia, may consider applying for this category.
| EE PNP Skilled Worker Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | Yes |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience | At least 2 years of related work experience |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP International Graduate
Students who have just graduated from a Canadian institution or college and want to relocate to British Columbia, Canada, are eligible for this stream.
| EE PNP International Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes |
| Connection to Province | Yes |
| Job Offer | Yes (Skill Level 0, A or B) |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A – CLB 7; NOC B – CLB4) |
| Level of Education | Tertiary qualification (degree, diploma, or certificate) from a Canadian institution in the past 3 years |
| Work Experience | No |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP International Post Graduate
Students who have recently earned a master’s or doctoral degree in the natural, applied, or health sciences from a BC university or institution and want to come to British Columbia, Canada, should apply via this route.
| EE PNP International Post-Graduate Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes |
| Connection to Province | Yes |
| Job Offer | Yes (Skill Level 0, A or B) |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A – CLB 7; NOC B – CLB4) |
| Level of Education | Master’s or Doctorate in the past 3 years, in one of the following:Agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences;Biomedical or biological sciences;Computer or informational sciences;Conservation and research of natural resources;Physical sciences.Engineering or Engineering Technology and engineering-related fields; Healthcare or clinical sciences; Mathematics or statistics; |
| Work Experience | No |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
EE PNP Healthcare Professional
For healthcare professionals who desire to move to British Columbia and fill the present need of doctors, nurses, psychiatric nurses, and other health care workers, this stream is for you.
| EE PNP Healthcare Professional Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | Yes |
| Connection to Province | Yes |
| Job Offer | Yes (written) in one of the following occupations:Physician;Healthcare specialist;Registered nurse;Registered psychiatric nurse;Nurse practitioner; or Health professional like a:Diagnostic medical sonographer;Clinical pharmacist;Medical laboratory technologist;Medical radiation technologist;Occupational therapist; orPhysiotherapist |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (NOC 0 or A – CLB 7; NOC B – CLB4) |
| Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience | At least 2 years of related work experience |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 6 months (Express Entry); or 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
Please note that if you are a midwife, you must have: A Letter of Confirmation from an acknowledged medical institution in BC (be a member for at least six months) and A registered member with the College of Midwives of British Columbia.
BC Skills Immigration Stream
Fast-tracked processing time of 2-3 months is available for people who work in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing industries and do not qualify for the abovementioned immigration programmes. ELSS Category provides for fast-tracked processing time of 2-3 months.
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | Yes |
| Job Offer | Yes – Must be in one of the following job sectors in BC: tourism/hospitality;long-haul trucking; orfood processing sector. |
| Language Proficiency | Yes – CLB 4 |
| Level of Education | Yes (relevant secondary qualification or high school certificate and licensing or certification required for the job) |
| Work Experience | Must have been employed for at least 9 consecutive months in BC immediately before application |
| Age | No |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 2-3 months (BC PNP Online) |
To apply for the SI system you must:
- Create an online profile through the BC PNP and register;
- Choose one of the five categories:
- Skilled Worker;
- Healthcare Professional;
- International Post Graduate;
- International Graduate; or
- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
- Receive a registration score and enter into a selection pool for the category you chose;
- Complete your registration when you receive your confirmation email along with your BC PNP registration number.
Please note that your registration will be kept in the pool for 12 months or until you get an Invitation to Apply from BC (if you meet all the requirements).
BC Entrepreneur Stream
An experienced entrepreneur who intends to invest and actively run a qualifying firm in the province is eligible for this stream. Individuals who want to run a firm must have previous expertise in that field. They must demonstrate that they are able to:
- Establish themselves in BC;
- Invest in a new or existing business; and
- Employ Canadian citizens or permanent residents to give significant economic benefits to the province
Why Entrepreneurs Choose BC
The business climate in British Columbia is one of the most exciting in the country. There are several advantages for entrepreneurs in the city’s location, cheap taxes, competitive operating expenses, and a multicultural workforce that is well trained and highly efficient.
If you are an entrepreneur who is ready to buy or invest in and actively manage a business in the province, you can apply through one of the following business immigration streams:
- Entrepreneur Base Category – to purchase an existing business in BC;
- Entrepreneur Regional Pilot – to start a new business in BC; or
- Strategic Projects Category – for foreign corporations who want to establish a subsidiary or branch in BC.
Entrepreneur Base Category
These people are interested in obtaining permanent residency in Canada by purchasing a company in British Columbia and then moving there.
| BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
| Level of Education | Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of past 5 years with 100% business ownership |
| Age | No |
| Work Experience | Business Ownership or Management of at least 3 years(within last 10 years) |
| Income/Settlement Funds | No |
| Investment | Minimum $200,000 CAD Personal Net Worth of at least $600,000 CAD |
| Average Processing Time | 15 – 19 months |
Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
People who intend to establish a new company in British Columbia and ultimately settle in Canada as a permanent resident are encouraged to apply in this category.
| BC Entrepreneur Base Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
| Level of Education | Post-secondary or Sufficient Business Experience for at least 3 of the past 5 years with 100% business ownership |
| Age | No |
| Work Experience | Business Ownership or Management of at least 3 years(within last 5 years) |
| Income/Settlement Funds | No |
| Investment | Minimum $100,000 CAD Personal Net Worth of at least $300,000 CAD |
| Average Processing Time | 15 – 19 months |
Strategic Projects Category
This category is for companies and company owners outside of Canada who are interested in setting up a subsidiary or branch office in British Columbia with the goal of ultimately obtaining permanent residency in Canada.
| BC Strategic Projects Category Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | No |
| Language Proficiency | CLB4/NCLC4 or higher in English or French |
| Level of Education | Key staff members must have relevant qualifications for the position |
| Age | No |
| Work Experience | Key staff members must have relevant senior/executive experience and must be currently employed in a foreign corporation |
| Income/Settlement Funds | No |
| Equity Investment | Minimum $500,000 CAD |
| Average Processing Time | 15 – 19 months |
BC Tech Pilot
The Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology has designated a number of high-demand tech jobs in British Columbia as eligible for immigration under this programme. In order to attract bright professionals and overseas students, the initiative expedites the process of obtaining permanent residency.
What Jobs Can You Apply With For the BC PNP Tech Pilot?
There are currently 29 jobs that are eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot program.
As a result of the program’s outstanding performance and to guarantee that businesses can fulfil their employment needs in the future, it has just been extended until June 2021.
In addition, the province is able to choose qualifying candidates via weekly lotteries in the programme.
| BC Tech Pilot Eligibility Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Express Entry Profile | No |
| Connection to Province | No |
| Job Offer | Yes – at least one-year job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations |
| Language Proficiency | Express Entry Requirements (CLB 7 for FSWP and CEC; CLB4 for FSTP) |
| Level of Education | Express Entry Requirements (tertiary qualification, high school and/or job-specific training or on-the-job-training) |
| Work Experience | At least 2 years of related work experience |
| Age | Express Entry Requirements |
| Income/Settlement Funds | Yes |
| Average Processing Time | 2 – 3 months |
Other Benefits of This Program
- You do not need a Labour Market Impact Assessment; and
- You can get a work permit support letter that lets you:
- Renew your work permit; or
- Apply for a new work permit
If you would like to make British Columbia your new home, you have come to the right place.
