Immigration programs: British Columbia

BC PNP Tech Pilot Immigration to British Columbia

Qualified technology professionals can immigrate to Canada through the BC PNP Tech Pilot. British Columbia's tech sector is a major driver of economic growth in the province, with industry employment at its highest.

The BC PNP Tech Pilot Program was established in 2017 and extended to June 2021 to attract talent and meet the demand for the technology workforce in British Columbia. 

 

Requirements for Applicants

To apply for the BC PNP Tech Pilot, you must have the following requirements: 

• a full-time job offer for at least 1 year;
• at the time of applying, there must be at least 120 days before the expiration of the job offer;
• the profession should be on the list of 29 professions approved for this pilot program.

 

Categories and professions of candidates

NOC Occupation 

0131 Telecommunications Service Managers 

0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers 

0512 Publishing, Film, Broadcasting and Performing Arts Managers 

2131 Civil Engineers 

2132 Mechanical Engineers 

2133 Electrical Engineers and Electronics Engineers 

2147 Computer Engineers (except software developers and designers) 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants 

2172 Database analysts and data administrators 

2173 Software engineers and developers 

2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers 

2175 Web designers and web developers 

2221 Biotechnologists and biotechnologists 

2241 Electrical and electronic engineering 

2242 Technical specialists for the maintenance of electronic systems (household and industrial equipment) 

2243 Technicians and mechanics for working with industrial devices 

2281 Computer network technicians 

2282 Technical support specialists 

2283 Information systems testing technicians 

5121 Authors and writers 

5122 Editors 

5125 Translators, terminologists 

5224 Television and radio broadcasting technicians 

5225 Audio and video recording technicians 

5227 Supporting professions in film, television and radio broadcasting and performing arts 

5226 Other technical and coordinating professions in cinema, television and radio broadcasting, photography, and performing arts 

5241 Graphic designers and illustrators 

6221 Sales professionals in the wholesale trade

 

How does BC PNP Tech Pilot Works?

Tech Pilot is one of the areas of the BC Provincial Nominee Program, so the candidate will receive a nomination from the province if successful. To receive a nomination, you first need to receive an invitation to apply. 

BC PNP issues invitations to apply weekly to qualified professionals who have registered for the program and have a job offer in one of 29 eligible occupations. The free registration process involves providing information about the British Columbia employer who issued the job offer. To receive an invitation to apply, both the applicant and their employer must meet all program requirements at the time of registration. 

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee that the applicant will be asked to apply for the provincial program. First, the candidate must determine which category he falls under the program. The provincial BC PNP program offers different categories for candidates under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), depending on their previous job, work experience, and educational level. The categories depend on the skill level of the NOC and include: 

• Skilled Workers;
• Health Care Professionals (health professionals);
• International Graduates (foreign graduates of Canadian universities); International Post-Graduates (foreign graduates of postgraduate and doctoral studies of universities in the province);
• Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Workers (workers of low and intermediate qualifications).

 

Process

1. Once a candidate has determined his or her category, he or she can register with the SIRS and receive points based on criteria (work experience, educational level, etc.). Registration is free. 
2. Each week (based on capacity), BC PNP will select the candidates with the highest scores and issue an Invitation to apply for the British Columbia Provincial Program. 
3. Invited candidates have up to 30 calendar days from the date of the invitation to submit a completed online application. The government application fee is $ 700 CAD. 
4. BC PNP will process applications for this program on a priority basis. 
5. If approved, the applicant receives a nomination from the Province of British Columbia, which he or she can use to submit an application and application package to the IRCC for permanent residency. 
6. Individuals who have received a nomination and who meet the conditions of their nomination will receive a letter of support for a work permit, which will allow them to obtain or renew their current work permit, allowing them to work throughout the immigration process.

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