British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Your Pathway to Canadian PR
British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada, is known for its vibrant economy and rich cultural mix. Home to Vancouver — Canada’s third-largest city — B.C. stands out as one of the country’s most ethnically diverse and economically dynamic regions. The province’s economy thrives on its natural resources, especially forestry and mining, while its spectacular landscapes of mountains, forests, and coastlines make it one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Immigration Pathways in British Columbia
Those planning to immigrate to British Columbia can apply through one of the following three primary programs under the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP):
- Skills Immigration Stream
- Express Entry British Columbia Stream
- Entrepreneur Immigration
Skills Immigration Stream
The Skills Immigration (SI) stream is intended for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates, post-graduates, and semi-skilled or entry-level employees. Except for international post-graduates, all applicants must hold a valid employment offer from a B.C. employer.
BC PNP Skills Immigration Categories
Skilled Worker Category
Designed for individuals who have received a valid job offer in a skilled occupation and possess several years of relevant work experience.
Healthcare Professional Category
Applicants with experience and job offers as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses, or allied health professionals can apply under this stream. The offer must be for one of the 11 eligible health-related occupations.
International Graduate Category
This stream targets individuals who have graduated from a recognized Canadian college or university within the past three years and have received a job offer from a B.C. employer.
International Post-Graduate Category
This category applies to graduates who have earned a Master’s or Doctoral degree in natural, applied, or health sciences from a qualified educational institution in British Columbia. A job offer is not required for this stream.
Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category
Workers in approved entry-level or semi-skilled positions in tourism, hospitality, food processing, long-haul trucking, or those employed in the Northeast Development Region of B.C. may be eligible under this program.
- Application Fee: CAD $1,150
- Request for Review Fee: CAD $500
- Processing Time: 2–3 months
Minimum Eligibility Criteria
- Must hold a full-time, indeterminate job offer in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Offered wage must meet provincial standards (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Must have sufficient funds to support self and dependents (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Must meet the minimum language requirement — CLB 4 for TEER 2, 3, 4, or 5 roles
- Must fulfill category-specific conditions
- Employer must satisfy B.C. PNP eligibility standards
Application Process
- Create a profile and register through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), allowing the province to evaluate your education, job, wage, location, and language ability against current labour market needs.
-
Registration is done via BCPNP Online.
Note: Applicants under the International Post-Graduate and Healthcare Professional categories do not need to register with SIRS and may apply directly through BCPNP Online. - Receive a registration score based on your submitted information.
- Qualified applicants enter a selection pool. The highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply through periodic provincial draws.
- Once invited, candidates must submit a complete online application within 30 days.
- If nominated, you can apply for permanent residence through the Canadian federal government.
| Category | Is a job required? | Is it currently receiving applications? | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) | Yes | Must have at least two years of work experience in skilled work. |
| Healthcare Professional | Yes | Yes | Must have at least two years of experience as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals. |
| International Graduate | Yes | Yes | Must have graduated from an eligible university or college in the last three years. |
| International Post-Graduate | No | Yes | Must have graduated with a Master's or PhD from a B.C. university in the natural, applied or health sciences programs of study. |
| Entry-level and Semi-skilled worker | Entry-level and Semi-skilled worker | Yes | Must work in certain positions in tourism, food processing, or long-haul trucking or must be living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia |
Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC)
The Express Entry BC Stream connects directly to Canada’s federal Express Entry system, allowing qualified applicants to receive expedited processing for both their B.C. PNP application and, if nominated, their permanent residence application.
The following Skills Immigration categories can be processed through Express Entry BC:
- Skilled Worker Category
- Healthcare Professional Category
- International Graduate Category
- International Post-Graduate Category
Application Fee: CAD $1,150
Processing Time: 2–3 months
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Must possess a valid Express Entry profile with the federal government (IRCC)
- Must have a Job Seeker Validation Code from the Express Entry system
- Must have an accepted full-time job offer (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Must meet B.C. wage rate standards (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Must demonstrate financial ability to support self and dependents (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Must meet minimum language proficiency (except for International Post-Graduate)
- Must satisfy any additional stream-specific requirements
- Employer must be B.C. PNP eligible (except for International Post-Graduate)
Application Process
- Create an active Express Entry profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Register through SIRS so the province can assess your eligibility based on employment, education, and other key criteria.
- Receive a score and enter the candidate pool.
- Top-ranked individuals receive invitations to apply for provincial nomination.
- Submit your complete application via BCPNP Online within 30 days of invitation.
- If approved, you’ll receive a nomination through the Express Entry system and must accept it to receive 600 additional CRS points.
| Category | Is a job required? | Is it currently receiving applications? | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Yes | Yes | Must have at least two years of work experience in skilled work (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3). |
| Healthcare Professional | Yes | Yes | Must have at least two years of experience as physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses or allied health professionals, or a midwife with a letter of confirmation from an established practice group in B.C. |
| International Graduate | Yes | Yes | Must have graduated from an eligible university or college in the last three years. |
Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)
The SIRS is a points-based evaluation system used to rank candidates according to their potential contribution to B.C.’s economy. Scores are determined based on a combination of economic and human capital factors, including education, wage, location, and relevant experience.
SIRS Scoring Table
| Scoring Sections | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Economic Factors (80) | |
| Hourly Wage of the B.C. Job Offer | 55 |
| Regional District of Employment | 25 |
| Human Capital Factors (120) | |
| Directly Related Work Experience | 40 |
| Highest Level of Education | 40 |
| Language | 40 |
| Language | 40 |
| Total Points Available | 200 |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is the federal immigration selection system that manages applications for:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Certain Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams are linked with Express Entry (known as enhanced streams), while others operate separately (base streams).
Applicants are evaluated through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points for factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an extra 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next federal Express Entry draw.
Entrepreneur Immigration
Entrepreneurs seeking to settle and invest in British Columbia can apply through three available pathways:
-
Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category
For senior managers or business owners wishing to invest in a new or existing business in B.C.
Note: Registrations for this stream are temporarily suspended; updates are expected soon. - Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot For international entrepreneurs planning to establish a business in a smaller B.C. community.
- Strategic Projects Category For foreign corporations that want to set up operations in B.C. and nominate up to five key employees for permanent residence.
Entrepreneur Immigration Fees
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Registration | $300 |
| Application | $3,500 |
| Request for Review | $500 |
Strategic Projects Fees
| Fee Type | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Registration | $300 |
| Application | $3,500 |
| Key Staff | $1,000 (per person) |
Processing Timeline
- Registration Score Notification: 6 weeks (from submission date)
- Application Decision Notification: 4 months (from full submission date)
Process Overview
- Register through BCPNP Online and submit your brief business concept.
- Receive a score and enter the qualified candidate pool.
- Highest-scoring applicants receive invitations to apply.
- After invitation, submit your complete application within four months and undergo a personal net worth assessment by a B.C.-approved accounting firm.
- Upon approval, receive a two-year work permit to establish and operate your business.
- Once your business meets performance criteria, you become eligible for a provincial nomination and can then apply for permanent residence.
For Strategic Projects, companies must first verify their eligibility, conduct an exploratory visit, and register their intent to invest. If approved, they must sign a Performance Agreement with the province before key staff can apply for work permits and, later, permanent residence.
Minimum Requirements
| Category | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot | Minimum net worth of CAD $300,000; at least 3 years as business owner or 4 years in senior management; CLB 4 or higher; must meet education and community-specific requirements. |
| Strategic Projects Category | Company must be financially stable, capable of expansion into B.C., and demonstrate significant economic benefit to the province. |
B.C. PNP Tech Program
The B.C. PNP Tech program was created to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the province’s fast-growing technology sector. Launched in 2017 as a pilot initiative, it became a permanent program in June 2021.
It targets skilled workers who have a valid job offer in one of 29 eligible tech occupations in B.C. The offer must be for at least one year and have a minimum of 120 days remaining at the time of application.
British Columbia PNP – Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), applicants must meet specific eligibility conditions. These criteria vary depending on the particular immigration stream chosen.
However, all programs under the BC PNP share some common eligibility standards, including the following:
- Valid proof of legal status authorizing you to immigrate to British Columbia.
- At least two years of full-time experience in a skilled occupation.
- A clear intention and ability to perform the duties assigned by your B.C. employer.
- A confirmed job offers from an eligible employer based in British Columbia.
- Proof of English language proficiency as per program requirements.
Documents Required for BC PNP Application
When applying for a provincial nomination from the Government of British Columbia, you must provide accurate and verified documents to support your application.
If you are unsure which documents are needed, here’s a complete checklist for reference:
- A written employment offer letter printed on the official company letterhead.
- Proof of sufficient settlement funds for yourself and accompanying family members.
- A valid passport and relevant travel documents.
- Documents verifying legal immigration status in Canada (if applicable).
- Educational qualification documents such as degrees, diplomas, or certificates along with Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Employment reference letters validating previous work experience.
- Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or equivalent).
- Police clearance certificate and background verification.
- Civil identity documents, such as birth or marriage certificates.
BC PNP Application Process
Below is an overview of the application process for the Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program:
Step 1: Registration
The initial step involves registering under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). This registration enables the B.C. government to assess your credentials, including job position, work location, education level, wage, and language proficiency.
Before registration, candidates must ensure they have a valid Express Entry profile created with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 2: Invitation
Eligible candidates under the EEBC – Skilled Worker and EEBC – International Graduate categories receive an invitation to apply based on their SIRS score.
All registered candidates are ranked in the pool, and the highest-scoring profiles are invited through periodic BC PNP draws. Invitations are issued depending on the annual nomination quota and program processing capacity.
Step 3: Application
Once invited, candidates must submit their complete provincial nomination application via BC PNP Online.
Applicants under the EEBC – Healthcare Professional and EEBC – International Post-Graduate categories do not need an invitation; they can apply directly through the BCPNP online portal.
Step 4: Nomination
In this stage, successful candidates receive a provincial nomination, which allows them to apply for permanent residence (PR) through IRCC.
Upon approval, the BC PNP issues a nomination certificate, and candidates must accept the nomination via their IRCC Express Entry profile to obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR under the Provincial Nominee category.
British Columbia PNP – Processing Time
The table below outlines the estimated processing timelines for each BC PNP stream and stage:
| Category | Processing Stage | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| BC Express Entry & Skills Immigration | Nomination Application | 2 to 3 months |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | Registration Score Notification | 6 weeks from the date of registration |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | Work Permit Stage | 4 weeks from the date of application submission until the decision notification |
| IRCC (Federal Level) | Non-Express Entry Nomination Applications | 15 to 19 months |
| IRCC (Federal Level) | Express Entry Streams | 6 months |
British Columbia PNP – Processing Fees
The application cost for the BC Provincial Nominee Program depends on the chosen immigration stream. Below is the detailed fee structure for different categories:
| Category | Type | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Skills Immigration | Registration | No Fee |
| Application | $1,475 | |
| Request for Review | $500 | |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | Registration | $300 |
| Application | $3,500 | |
| Request for Review | $500 | |
| Strategic Projects | Registration | $300 |
| Application | $3,500 | |
| Key Staff | $1,000 | |
| Request for Review | $500 |
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FAQs: Benefits of Moving to Canada
The BC PNP allows skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs to receive a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residency. It helps British Columbia meet its labor market and economic needs by selecting qualified candidates.
The BC PNP includes several streams: Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC, Entrepreneur Immigration, and Tech Pilot. Each stream targets different candidates based on skills, experience, and job offers in British Columbia.
To qualify, you need a valid job offer from a B.C. employer, relevant work experience, language proficiency, and proof of intent to live in the province. Eligibility criteria vary by stream and occupation.
The BC PNP nomination process generally takes 2 to 3 months, while the federal permanent residence application through IRCC may take an additional 6 to 19 months, depending on the category.
Yes, most BC PNP streams require a valid job offer from a B.C. employer. However, graduates in specific programs and certain tech or healthcare professionals may qualify without a job offer under specific sub-streams.
