The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Semi-Skilled or Entry-Level Worker program seeks to fulfill semi-skilled labour shortages in British Columbia by attracting foreign individuals willing to work in one of program’s designated professions. If selected, BC will nominate the foreign applicant for a work a Canadian work permit and permanent residence.

BC PNP Semi-Skilled Worker Program Eligibility

To apply to the BC PNP Semi-Skilled or Entry-Level Worker program, you must have the following:

1. B.C. work experience.

• You must currently be employed and you must have been employed full-time by your employer in B.C. in an eligible occupation for at least nine consecutive months before applying to the BC PNP Semi-Skilled Worker program. Eligible occupations are divided into three categories:
  • Tourism and hospitality
  • Long-haul trucking
  • Food processing
  • All jobs in Skill Level C or D in the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) (except Live-In Caregivers), if you are working in the Northeast Development Region.
• You must maintain full-time employment with your employer in B.C. throughout both PNP and permanent residence application processes.
• Work experience that is part of a program of study (such as co-op) or obtained using an Off-Campus Work Permit does not qualify.

2. An offer of full-time indeterminate employment from an eligible employer at a wage that will allow you to become economically established in B.C.

• Your employer must provide you with a written offer of employment on official company letterhead. The letter must be:
  • signed and dated by a person authorized to hire employees and
  • signed and dated by you, and stating that you accept the job offer.
• Your employer cannot make any deductions from your pay (or require you to pay any fees) for recruitment or retention, including fees related to immigration.
• The wage stated on your offer of employment must be at market rate and comparable to the rate paid to workers with a similar level of experience and training for equivalent jobs in B.C. We do not consider bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing distributions, tips/gratuities, overtime wages or other similar payments to be part of your wage.
• If you were originally hired based on a positive Labour Market Opinion, the wage you are currently earning must be equal to or greater than the wage stated in the offer of employment and on the Labour Market Opinion.
• Your employer also needs to be eligible for the program.

3. Evidence that you can support yourself (and your dependants).

• You must demonstrate that you have the ability to pay for your housing and living expenses in B.C. We will assess this using your:
  • income and employment prospects,
  • location of residence in B.C.,
  • number of dependants, and
  • English language ability.

4. At least 12 years of schooling and any licensing or certification required for your job.

• You must have completed at least 12 years of formal education either within or outside of Canada. You will need to submit copies (in English) of your highest-level diplomas, certificates, degrees or transcripts.
• You must also meet any regulatory or licensing requirements of your occupation. For example, if you are applying as a long-haul truck driver you must hold a valid BC Class 1 driver’s license with air brake endorsement and any other certification required for the position, such as certification for transporting dangerous goods.

5. Proficiency in English if you are applying for a NOC Skill Level C or D occupation.

• You must submit the results of an approved English language proficiency test showing you have obtained a minimum score equal to a Benchmark 4 under the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 2000 in all four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
• For the purpose of your BC PNP Semi-Skilled Worker program application, test results will be considered valid for two years from the date the test was taken.

BC PNP Semi-Skilled Worker Program Application Process

1. You and your employer complete the BC PNP Semi-Skilled Worker program and CIC application forms.
2. The completed application forms are submitted to the BC PNP, along with the processing fee of CAD $550.
3. The BC PNP office reviews your application.
4. If your application is approved, B.C. will nominate you for permanent residence. You will then need to make a separate application to CIC for a permanent resident visa. You will have six months from the date of your nomination to apply to CIC.

Please Contact Us for more information on this program.