The BC PNP is British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a British Columbia Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow that foreign national to apply for Canadian permanent residence with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.

BC PNP : SKILLS IMMIGRATION STREAM

There are five components in this category. All skilled immigration candidates with experience in 32 key in-demand occupations can qualify for expedited processing under the BC PNP Tech Pilot.

1. SKILLED WORKERS

To apply under this component the following requirements must be met:

• a) Candidate must have been offered a job by a B.C. employer in a skilled occupation (skill level “0”, “A” or “B” in the National Occupational Classification(NOC));
• b) BCPNP must determine that there is a positive demand and/or outlook for the particular occupation;
• c) The wage offered must be comparable to what is usually offered in B.C. for the occupation;
• d) The candidate must have the qualifications and experience required to perform the job offered;
• e) The offer of employment must be written and meet certain criteria, including being for a full time and indeterminate position;
• f) The employer must meet certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
• g) The candidate must be deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.;

2. HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Applicants in this category can be nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, physicians or allied health professionals, recruited by provincial and regional health authorities administered through Health Match BC (a recruitment service funded by the provincial government) and who meet the following requirements:

a) Registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners must have a full-time and indeterminate job offer from one of B.C.’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority, and be registered with the College of Registered Nurses of B.C. or with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of B.C.

b) Physicians must be sponsored by one of B.C.’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority and have a positive assessment from their supervising physician attested by a letter from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.

c) Midwives must be registered with the College of Midwives of B.C. and have been accepted into an established practice group in B.C. for at least six months.

d) Allied health professionals must have a full-time indeterminate job offer from one of B.C.’s regional health authorities or the Provincial Health Services Authority and must be registered with the provincial licensing body that regulates their profession.

3. INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES

This category is aimed at foreign nationals who have graduated from Canadian post-secondary institutions. The main requirements for candidates are:

• a) To have obtained an eligible degree or diploma from a Canadian post-secondary institution following a program of at least 12 months of full time studies within the two years preceding application;
• b) To have accepted an indeterminate full time job offer from a B.C. Employer for an occupation under NOC Skill Levels O, A, or B. Other occupations may be considered under certain circumstances;
• c) Wages offered are equivalent to prevailing wages for the position in B.C.
• d) The candidate must have the qualifications required to perform the job offered, but no previous experience is required;
• e) The employer must meet certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
• f) The candidate must be deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.;

4. INTERNATIONAL POST-GRADUATES

This program allows certain graduates of B.C. post-secondary institution to settle in the province. No job offer is required to apply in this category. Successful applicants will meet the following requirements:

• a) Completed an eligible Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in B.C. in a designated field of study within the two years preceding their application;
• b) Demonstrate their intention to settle in B.C.;
• c) Have the ability to become economically established in B.C.

5. ENTRY-LEVEL AND SEMI-SKILLED WORKERS

This category is aimed at temporary foreign workers already in B.C. working in the following occupations: hospitality/tourism services, long-haul trucking and food processing. The two year “Northeast Pilot Project” allows applications from a broader range of semi-skilled occupation based on the location of employment. The requirements are as follows:

• a) Job offer in a qualifying occupation in the Tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking or food processing industries. (Other occupations under NOC Skill levels C and D may qualify if the employment is in the Northeast Development Region).
• b) Candidate has been employed full time by the B.C. employer making the offer for at least 9 consecutive months;
• c) Wages offered are comparable to prevalent wages for the occupation;
• d) Candidate has completed 12 years of formal education;
• e) Candidate meets any regulatory or licensing requirements for the position offered;
• f) Candidate demonstrates basic proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages;
• g) Employer meets certain criteria, such as having a place of business in the province;
• h) Candidate is deemed to have the ability to become economically established in B.C.;