The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has launched a new intake system to better align with British Columbia’s labor market and economic development priorities.
British Columbia is expected to lead the country in economic growth in 2016. Although British Columbians are front of the line for those job opportunities, we know that economic immigration will play a role in meeting the labour demands of our diverse, strong and growing economy. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the Province s only direct economic immigration tool for bringing in new British Columbians to assist in filling the nearly one million job openings due to retirements and economic growth.
The PNP s new Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is a points-based system that gives candidates a registration score that determines whether they are invited to apply. Their score is based on a number of factors that reflect an individual s ability to succeed in the labour market and contribute to the provincial economy such as level of education, years of direct work experience and a B.C. employment offer. The new system more closely aligns with the federal government s immigration process for skilled labour.
For example, B.C. s tech sector is consistently growing faster than the overall economy. For many employers their need for talent is urgent, especially in highly specialized areas. The new registration system allows employers to access skilled labour quickly to bring highly skilled newcomers into the province to support continued growth in the industry.
SIRS
SIRS system gives candidates a registration score that determines whether they are invited to apply.
Once a candidate submits a registration through SIRS, he or she will receive a registration score and will be entered into a selection pool for the category in which he or she has registered (candidates may register under one category only). The registration, which is free of charge, will remain in the selection pool for a maximum of 12 months from the date of submission.
Periodically, the BC PNP will invite the highest-scoring registrants from each category to apply for provincial nomination.
Which BC PNP categories are covered by the SIRS
Registration under the SIRS is mandatory for certain BC PNP categories, some of which fall under Express Entry B.C., British Columbia’s enhanced immigration stream that is dedicated to nominating candidates who are eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool. Upon submission of their application at the federal level, these candidates benefit from processing times of six months or less.
The SIRS is also used for certain categories that fall under the BC PNP Skills Immigration stream, a ‘base’ stream. Candidates who receive a base nomination have their applications processed outside Express Entry. The route from a successful BC PNP base nomination to permanent residence is a two-step process. Candidates must first satisfy the criteria for the stream, apply, and receive a nomination certificate. Next, with this certificate in hand candidates may apply to the federal government, which will oversee the necessary medical and security background checks before granting permanent resident status.
SIRS Categories
- Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker
- Skills Immigration – International Graduate
- Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
- Skills Immigration – Northeast Pilot Project
- Express Entry B.C. – Skilled Worker
- Express Entry B.C. – International Graduate
Candidates eligible under one of the following categories do not need to register under the SIRS and may apply directly to the BC PNP:
- Skills Immigration – Health Care Professional
- Skills Immigration – International Post-Graduate
- Express Entry B.C. – Health Care Professional
- Express Entry B.C. – International Post-Graduate
BC PNP Facts
- The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the Province s only direct economic immigration tool for bringing in new British Columbians.
- B.C. s quota of PNP nominations is set by the federal government.
- For 2015, that allocation was 5,500 and the province negotiated an additional 300 to achieve 5,800, more than any other province.
- The 2016 PNP allocation from the federal government has yet to be confirmed.
- B.C. continues to work with the federal government to increase economic immigration and receive more PNP allocations.
- Since the 2001 inception of the program, more than 34,000 workers and entrepreneurs have been attracted to the province through the PNP.
- In 2014, 80% of B.C. s total immigrants came to British Columbia through federal immigration streams.
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