The BC PNP Skilled Worker stream is designed for individuals who have a post-secondary education or training and several years of employment experience in a professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupation.

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker

The Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker category allows foreign skilled workers that also qualify, or have applied through the Federal Express Entry (EE) system to apply under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration stream in conjunction with their Federal Express Entry system application and seek nomination by the province of British Columbia.

The advantage of applying under the Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker  category is a  faster and more efficient processing for eligible skilled workers and significantly reduce their application processing time. In addition, the applicant gains 600 points (out of a maximum of 1200) in their EE Comprehensive Ranking System score by being nominated by the province of British Columbia.

The general requirements and eligibility factors are the same as for the regular BC PNP Skilled Worker program, as indicated bellow, but applicants interested in applying under the Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker  category will need to first be eligible to and register with the EE system by creating their profile and obtaining a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Express Entry Profile Number, and, if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code that indicates you meet the criteria for one of the federal economic immigration programs subject to CIC’s Express Entry system.

BC PNP Skilled Worker Eligibility

To apply to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) as a BC PNP skilled worker, you must have the following:

1. Directly related work experience in an eligible occupation, and, if applicable, the credentials and qualification requirements of the position.
   • Your occupation must be classified as Skill Level 0, A or B in the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC). These positions normally require post-secondary education and several years of directly related work experience.
   • If you are working in a regulated occupation that requires mandatory certification, licensing or registration you must demonstrate that you meet these requirements when you apply to the BC PNP Skilled Worker stream
2. An offer of full-time indeterminate employment from an eligible employer at a wage that will allow you to establish economically in B.C.
   • Your employer must provide you with a written offer of employment on official company letterhead
   • 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. The BC PNP does not consider bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing distributions, tips/gratuities, overtime wages or other similar payments to be part of your wage.
   • You must be establishing an employee/employer relationship with your employer; if you will be providing services as an independent contractor to the business supporting your application, you are not eligible to the   BC PNP Skilled Worker stream
   • Your employer also needs to be eligible for the program
3. Evidence that you can support yourself (and your dependants). You must show that you have the ability to pay for your ongoing housing and living expenses in B.C.

Process

1. You and your employer complete the BC PNP Skilled Worker stream 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.