In a New PNP Draw, B.C. Has Invited 108 IT Employees
Since the beginning of 2021, British Columbia has given over 9,000 invitations to submit an application for a provincial nomination.
On October 5th, B.C. invited 108 tech employees to apply for a provincial nomination.
The invitations were sent out through the BC PNP Tech stream of the Provincial Nominee Program in British Columbia (BC PNP).
Candidates invited through B.C.’s Tech draws must meet the requirements of one of the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories maintained by the Skills and Immigration Registration System in British Columbia (SIRS).
Candidates in this draw had to have a provincial score of 70 and were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories. This is the first time the score has decreased 10 points from the regular 80 minimum points in over a year.
Candidates who have been invited to apply for the nomination now have 30 calendar days to do so.
British Columbia has sent out over 9,000 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination so far in 2021.
The PNP Tech program in British Columbia:
The BC PNP Tech was introduced as a pilot initiative in May 2017 in response to a labor market analysis that concluded that the most pressing issue confronting B.C.’s technology sector was a lack of talent. Following the project’s success, B.C. decided to make it a permanent program. When suitable personnel are not available locally, the program is meant to help firms in British Columbia’s technology sector continue to attract and choose international talent.
The BC PNP Computer, in particular, is a fast-track immigration route for high-demand tech workers and overseas students. To be eligible for the stream, candidates must be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid 12-month work offer in one of 29 approved occupations.
Unlike other BC PNP streams, BC PNP Tech job offers must be for a minimum of one year, during the time of application to the BC PNP, there were at least 120 days left. It also has to be full-time and from a province-wide qualifying employer.
Invitations are given out weekly through the province’s tech program to the top-scoring candidates who match the eligibility standards.
Candidates who have been invited to seek a provincial nomination must fill out an application in its entirety. Most tech applications will be approved in two to three months after this has been completed.
Candidates will get a nomination confirmation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if they are approved, which they can use to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program Class.
PNP candidates automatically receive 600 points for their Comprehensive Ranking System score, giving them a fair chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through Express Entry.