This program lets skilled workers, healthcare professionals, recent graduates, and international post-graduates apply. It even has an option to align with Canada’s federal Express Entry system.
Requirements for BCPNP Skills Immigration
All Skills Immigration applicants, regardless of category, must meet these general requirements (unless stated otherwise):
Job Offer:
- Full-time, permanent job offer (except International Post-Graduates and BC PNP Tech Pilot).
- Occupation must be eligible and offered at industry-standard wages.
- NOC 0/A occupations may not require language tests, but BC PNP may request them for proficiency or if language points are claimed.
Language Skills:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French for NOC B, C, or D occupations.
Business Ownership:
- No ownership exceeding 10% in the offering company in the past 5 years or during application.
Economic Benefit to BC:
- Your employment should benefit BC’s economy (examples: knowledge transfer, workforce development, job creation, product innovation).
Other Requirements:
- Meet minimum income requirements (if applicable).
- Submit a complete application with the $700 fee (if invited).
- Employment cannot negatively impact labor disputes, settlement, or training of Canadians/permanent residents.
You will not be nominated if you meet any of the following criteria:
- You are banned from entering Canada.
- You are currently in Canada without legal status.
- Your temporary status in Canada has expired, and you haven’t applied to restore it within the 90-day window.
- You are currently working in Canada without authorization.
- You have a refugee claim in Canada that has not been resolved.
- You are subject to a removal order from Canada or another country.
Skilled Worker Category
This category targets workers with skilled work experience and post-secondary education or training.
Who can apply?
- You have a full-time, permanent job offer from a BC employer (except BC PNP Tech Pilot).
- The job is in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B).
- You meet the language requirements for your job level:
- NOC B: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French (all skills).
- NOC 0 or A: Language test may be required, but not mandatory (unless claiming language points).
- You have at least 2 years of experience directly related to the offered job (in the same NOC code). Experience in a similar NOC can be considered if demonstrably relevant.
- You can meet the minimum income requirements to cover housing and living expenses in BC (based on salary, location, and dependents).
- Your employer meets BC PNP’s minimum employer requirements.
Additional Notes:
- The BC PNP may request language tests even if not mandatory to assess your ability to perform the job duties.
Healthcare Professional Category
This category targets healthcare professionals in specific fields.
Who can apply?
- You have a full-time, permanent job offer from a BC public health authority in one of these professions:
- Physician
- Specialist
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- OR you are an allied health professional with a job offer, such as:
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Medical Radiation Technologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Midwives must be registered (or eligible to register) with the College of Midwives of British Columbia and have a confirmation letter from a practice group for at least 6 months.
- You have at least 2 years of experience directly related to the offered job (in the same NOC code). Experience in a similar NOC can be considered if demonstrably relevant.
- You meet the language requirements for your job level:
- NOC B: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French (all skills).
- NOC 0 or A: Language test may be required, but not mandatory (unless claiming language points).
- You can meet the minimum income requirements to cover housing and living expenses in BC (based on salary, location, and dependents).
Additional Notes:
- The BC PNP may request language tests even if not mandatory to assess your ability to perform the job duties.
International Graduate Category
This category is designed for recent graduates from Canadian universities or colleges who want to work in BC.
Who can apply?
- You graduated from a Canadian university or college within the past 3 years.
- You have a full-time, permanent job offer from a BC employer in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B) (except BC PNP Tech Pilot).
- You have a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible Canadian institution:
- Undergraduate or graduate degree.
- Diploma from a public institution (minimum 8 months full-time coursework, no more than 25% co-op/internship).
- You meet the qualifications for the job you’re offered (if applicable).
- You can financially support yourself and any dependents in Canada (show income, intended residence, and number of dependents).
- You meet the language requirements for your job level:
- NOC B, C, or D: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French (all skills).
- NOC 0 or A: Language test may be required, but not mandatory (unless claiming language points).
Additional Notes:
- The BC PNP may request language tests even if not mandatory to assess your ability to perform the job duties.
International Post-Graduate Category
This category is designed for recent graduates with master’s or doctoral degrees in specific fields from universities in British Columbia. Unlike other categories, you don’t need a job offer to apply!
Who can apply?
- You graduated with a master’s or doctoral degree within the past 3 years from a BC university in one of these fields:
- Agriculture, biological/biomedical sciences
- Computer and information sciences
- Engineering or engineering technologies
- Health professions
- Mathematics & statistics, natural resources conservation
- Physical sciences
- You plan to live permanently in British Columbia. You can show this through:
- Past or current residence in BC
- Family, work, or study ties to BC
- Efforts to settle in BC (job search, finding a place to live, community involvement)
- Ability to financially support yourself in BC
- Plans to obtain legal work authorization in BC
Additional Notes:
This summarizes the key requirements for the International Post-Graduate Category. Be sure to check the official BC PNP website for the most up-to-date information.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Category
This category is for people already living and working in specific industries or regions of British Columbia.
Who can apply?
- You are currently working full-time in BC in one of these areas:
- Tourism/hospitality
- Long-haul trucking
- Food processing
- OR any NOC C or D occupation in the Northeast Development Region (excluding live-in caregivers)
- You have a full-time job offer from your current BC employer (supporting your application).
- You’ve been working full-time in this role for at least 9 consecutive months before applying.
- You can maintain full-time employment throughout the application process.
- You meet the minimum income requirements to cover housing and living expenses in BC (based on salary, location, and dependents, with proof of meeting this requirement for the past 9 months).
- You have completed secondary education and any job-related licenses or certifications.
Additional Requirements:
- Long-haul truck drivers: Valid BC Class 1 driver’s license, air brake endorsement, and any other required certifications (e.g., dangerous goods transport).
- Language: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English (all skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing).
Note:
- Work experience during studies (co-op) or on a study/off-campus work permit does not qualify.
- You may still apply if you are no longer working for the supporting employer when you receive an invitation to apply (as long as you had valid status in Canada when registering and the job offer remains valid).
Are You Interested in Canada’s BCPNP Skills Immigration Program?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
