B.C. invites 100 candidates in new PNP draw

British Columbia invited 100 total immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence on October 20.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued a total of 80 invitations through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams. Candidates were invited under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories.

The minimum required score for successful candidates was 80 across all categories.

In addition, 20 people were invited under B.C.'s Entrepreneur Immigration program. A total of 15 invitations were issued under the Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category, and 5 under the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot. Candidates needed a minimum score of 122 under the Base Category and 109 under the Regional Pilot.

B.C. holds draws through its various PNP categories and streams on a weekly basis. The largest BC PNP draw of the year issued 450 provincial nomination invitations on September 29.

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British Columbia holds weekly Tech Pilot draws through which candidates with job offers in 29 eligible occupations are invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Launched in 2017, the purpose of the Tech Pilot is to help B.C.’s technology sector recruit IT workers to help address current labour market needs.

In order to be considered eligible under the Tech Pilot, candidates need to be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least 12 months in one of the Tech Pilot’s eligible occupations.

To apply for the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC categories candidates must first create a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and register under its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Applicants are evaluated and issued a score based on factors such as level of education, work experience, proficiency in English and location of employment.

If an applicant is approved, they can then use their provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada under the Provincial Nominee Program.

Express Entry candidates who receive a nomination from British Columbia will be given an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and are effectively guaranteed an Invitation To Apply (ITA) in a future federal Express Entry draw.

The latest Express Entry draws was one of the the largest ever, inviting 4,500 candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Meanwhile, the Entrepreneur Immigration — Base Category is for entrepreneurs who are experienced and will start a business or take over an existing one in B.C.

The Regional Pilot aims to attract entrepreneurs in participating regions of the province in order to promote economic development.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration