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Tech and IT workers may immigrate to BC and obtain Canadian permanent residence quickly through the BC PNP Tech program (formerly the BC Tech Pilot), which is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

The BC PNP Tech Program was introduced in 2017 to assist BC employers in finding international tech talent to fill positions in in-demand occupations across the province. The BC PNP Tech program was initially launched as a pilot, called the BC PNP Tech Pilot, before being made a permanent fixture in BC immigration in 2021.

Workers in any of the listed eligible occupations may be eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot.

Eligible occupations for BC PNP Tech program

BC PNP Tech Occupations
10030 Telecommunication carriers managers
20012 Computer and information systems managers
21100 Physicists and astronomers
21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
21211 Data scientists
21220 Cybersecurity specialists
21221 Business systems specialists
21222 Information systems specialists
21223 Database analysts and data administrators
21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
21231 Software engineers and designers
21232 Software developers and programmers
21233 Web designers
21234 Web developers and programmers
21300 Civil engineers
21301 Mechanical engineers
21310 Electrical and electronics engineers
21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
21320 Chemical engineers
21399 Other professional engineers
22110 Biological technologists and technicians
22220 Computer network and web technicians
22221 User support technicians
22222 Information systems testing technicians
22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
50011 Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
22312 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
51112 Technical writers
51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
52112 Broadcast technicians
52113 Audio and video recording technicians
52120 Graphic designers and illustrators
53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

Why a BC PNP Tech program?

The initiative was first launched because demand for talent in BC’s tech sector is increasing faster than supply. By creating a unique pathway for skilled tech and IT workers, BC can satisfy the demand for tech talent.

The pilot functions in conjunction with the existing BC PNP categories. As such, eligible candidates must satisfy the criteria of one of BC’s Skills Immigration or Express Entry categories, which are managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Under the SIRS, eligible candidates may register and receive a ranking score. Every week, subject to processing capacity, the BC PNP will conduct a tech draw to invite the highest-scoring tech sector registrants to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. Invited candidates have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete online application, which is processed on a priority basis. If approved for provincial nomination, an application for permanent residence may then be submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Individuals who have been nominated and who meet the conditions of their nomination will receive a work permit support letter allowing them to obtain or renew their current work permit, ensuring that they may work throughout the permanent residence application process.

Job offers under the BC PNP Tech program must meet the following criteria:

  • the job offer must be for a single job in one of the 29 occupations listed above;
  • the job offer must be at least one year in duration (365 days); and
  • there must be at least 120 calendar days remaining on the job offer at the time of application.

Individuals whose occupation is not listed above may still be able to immigrate to Canada through the BC PNP under one of the many categories managed under that program. For an overview, see this page.

About the author

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Rebecca Major

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Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Rebecca Major is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (R511564) with nearly 15 years of licenced Canadian Immigration experience, gained after graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in the UK. She specializes in Canadian immigration at Moving2Canada.
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Citation "British Columbia PNP Tech (BC PNP Tech)." Moving2Canada. . Copy for Citation