The BC PNP Tech program is an immigration stream that offers a path to permanent residency for technology workers. This program is designed to meet the needs of technology employers in British Columbia, Canada. This program is free to use and provides employers with access to a pool of skilled international workers who are interested in moving to Canada. The program is available for a limited number of candidates and is open to people who have a job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations. Applicants must have at least a year of work experience in the occupation to be considered. The program also requires a specialized skill set in demand in the province.
The free registration process includes providing information about the applicant’s supporting B.C. employer. Both the applicant and employer must meet all program requirements at the time of registration, but meeting these requirements does not guarantee that an invitation to apply will be issued. Once a candidate has been nominated, they can apply to IRCC for permanent residence using their nomination certificate.
BC PNP Tech Draw
Candidates who receive invitations in the tech draw will have 30 days to apply for provincial nomination. Once they receive their nomination, they can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
This latest draw by the BC PNP includes 107 invites for both the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories, with targeted streams for the Tech, Childcare, and Healthcare sectors. The minimum required score in these draws was 85. Applicants invited in this round will earn an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System, which can help them receive an ITA in the Express Entry system later on.
BC PNP Tech Eligibility
The BC PNP Tech program gives international workers in high-demand occupations a pathway to permanent residence in Canada. It was launched as a pilot in 2017 and became permanent in 2021. The program offers a number of advantages for skilled workers, including priority access to the province’s skills immigration streams.
To be eligible for the BC PNP Tech program, applicants must have a job offer from a B.C. employer in one of 29 eligible occupations and meet other program requirements. Applicants must also register with the BC PNP online system and provide information about their supporting B.C. employer. The registration process is free and takes up to 30 days to complete. Once the registration process is complete, the highest-scoring candidates will receive an invitation to apply for the BC PNP program. Successful applicants will be issued a work permit support letter and can then apply for Canadian permanent residency. They must also submit an application through the BCPNP Online system within 30 days and pay the applicable BCPNP fees, which are $1,150 CAD.
BC PNP Tech Points
The BC PNP Tech program aligns with BC’s Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC (EEBC) programs. If you are interested in applying for this stream, verify that your NOC code falls within one of the 29 in-demand occupations. You must also meet the general requirements of the stream under which you apply and any specific requirements listed in Part 7.
You must register your profile with Express Entry and provide key information before applying to the BC PNP. This information will be assessed as part of the SIRS point system, and you will be invited to apply for the BC PNP if you meet program criteria. If you withdraw your registration before the BC PNP completes an assessment, you may not receive a refund of application fees.
You can earn additional points if you graduate from a public university in B.C. or have a job offer in an eligible occupation. These points are awarded based on your education and work experience, as well as the location of your job. Paid co-op work terms and practicums are not eligible for these points.