The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC-PNP) is an immigration program through which a broad range of workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs can settle in British Columbia permanently.
The BC-PNP is one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). It is one of the most varied of all the PNPs, with two broad streams for workers and graduates — Express Entry BC and Skills Immigration — plus an additional stream for entrepreneurs.
These streams are further divided into various categories. Some BC-PNP categories are aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Successful applicants under one of these categories obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool.
Furthermore, some BC-PNP categories are managed under a unique system, known as the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Under the SIRS, potential applicants are first required to register a profile and provide some personal information relating to their job offer in BC, work experience, language ability, and level of education. The SIRS works on an Expression of Interest / Invitation to Apply basis, whereby registered candidates are assigned a score (out of 200), and the BC government conducts periodic draws in which candidates who meet the cut-off threshold for their category in that draw are invited to apply for a provincial nomination.
Though some BC-PNP categories require applicants to have a job offer from a BC employer, certain categories managed outside the SIRS do not require applicants to have a job offer.
The BC-PNP also offers the BC PNP Tech program, introduced in 2017, whereby tech and IT workers may immigrate to BC and obtain Canadian permanent residence.
BC-PNP overview
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| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Skilled worker | Yes | Yes | Job offer in a skilled position |
| International Graduate | Yes | Yes | Job offer in a skilled position; studied at post-secondary level in Canada |
| International Post-Graduate | No | No | Graduated Master’s/PhD program in BC in natural, applied or health sciences |
| Health care professional | Yes | No | Job offer in a listed health occupation |
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| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Skilled worker | Yes | Yes | Job offer in a skilled position |
| International Graduate | Yes | Yes | Job offer in a skilled position; studied at post-secondary level in Canada |
| International Post-Graduate | No | No | Graduated Master’s/PhD program in BC in natural, applied or health sciences |
| Health care professional | Yes | No | Job offer in a listed health occupation |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | Yes | Yes | Job offer in tourism/hospitality, trucking, or food processing industry |
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| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | No, but must create at least one job | No | High net worth; business proposal |
As the table above shows, the BC-PNP is a highly varied Canadian immigration program containing multiple categories. Which categories work with which system(s) may also be presented in a diagram.
You can find out which BC-PNP categories are open right now, in our PNP Canada Live Tracker.
Getting help
Do you need assistance in preparing an application for Canadian permanent residence? If so, view our Book an Immigration Consultant page to see Moving2Canada’s list of recommended, accredited representatives who can assist you in your goals.
