British Columbia

Canada’s third largest western-most province is British Columbia. British Columbia borders the Pacific Ocean and has the longest period of frost-free season. Notably, it has the mildest climate among all the provinces and territories of Canada. Its capital city is Victoria located in Vancouver Island well-known to be the largest city and the most important urban centers of the country.

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British Columbia

Welcome to British Columbia

Vancouver is consistently listed among the best cities to live and work in despite its high standard of living. Having said so, Vancouver offers high average income for its human resource. Aside from Vancouver, British Columbia also has Whistler that is home to the longest unsupported cable car in the world; and also has one of the best ski resorts in the world.

British Columbia is looking for individuals to fill in their labour market shortage. You can seek for employment, and business opportunities in this beautiful side of Canada by applying to one of their immigration programs.

What is the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)?

This immigration program is open to a broad range of workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs who want to settle in British Columbia permanently.

British Columbia Express Entry

Most programs under the BC Skills Immigration can be a fast lane for candidates towards a permanent residency status. If the candidate has an active Express Entry profile, he or she is eligible to apply to BC’s Skills Immigration stream.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Meet the criteria for at least on of British Columbia’s immigration programs
  • Obtain a valid IRCC Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker Validation Code
  • Receive a nomination under one for British Columbia’s immigration programs

The OINP is currently accepting applications for the following categories:

Skills Immigration

This program is fit for foreign nationals who have the appropriate skills to become part of BC’s workforce. Open to all immigrants who have job offers from this province to secure a permanent residency status.

Available streams under BC SI:

1

British Columbia Skilled Worker
his stream gives opportunities to immigrants who have a valid job offer from BC and is likely to contribute to BC’s work force.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Valid job offer from a BC employer with a NOC code of 0, A or B
  • Language Proficiency with a passing score of CLB 4
  • Same occupation and qualification as the job offer and at least 2 years of work experience
  • Meet the settlement fund requirements as determined by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

2

British Columbia Healthcare Professional
Open to immigrants who have an offer of employment from a public health authority in BC at the same time fill in labour gaps in the healthcare sector.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Valid job offer from a BC employer with a NOC code of 0, A or B
  • Language Proficiency with a passing score of at least CLB 4 or higher
  • Same occupation and qualification as the job offer and at least 2 years of work experience
  • Meet the settlement fund requirements as determined by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

3

British Columbia International Graduate
An opportunity for recent graduates of any Canadian post-secondary educational institution to work with a BC employer in a skilled position so long as they have a valid job offer.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Valid job offer from a BC employer with a NOC code of 0, A or B
  • Language Proficiency with a passing score of CLB 4 or higher
  • Completed a post-secondary educational credential in Canada in the past three years
  • Same occupation and qualification as the job offer and at least 2 years of work experience
  • Meet the settlement fund requirements as determined by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

4

British Columbia International Post-Graduate
Designed for immigrants with a Master’s or Doctoral’s degree from a certain eligible institution in BC.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Completed a Master’s or Doctorate degree from one of BC’s eligible institutions and in one of BC’s qualified programs
  • Meet the settlement fund requirements as determined by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

5

British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS)
Open to low-skilled workers with 9 months of work experience in BC who have a valid job offer.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Valid job offer from a BC employer with a NOC code of 0, A or B (except caregivers)
  • Language Proficiency with a passing score of CLB 4 or higher
  • Must have at least nine (9) months of work experience in British Columbia obtained in one of the ELSS In-Demand Occupation

Entrepreneur Immigration

This program is open to foreign nationals and companies with a successful track record in terms of business ownership, management and investment. This is also the perfect means to start a business in BC as a way to establish new enterprises in the province.

Available streams under the BC EI:

1

British Columbia Entrepreneur
Perfect for business owners and managers who want to start their own business and live in British Columbia at the same time. They may also buy an existing business provided that they participate in the day-to-day activities. After a minimum of 550 days, they can already apply for Permanent Residency.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Language Proficiency with a passing score of CLB 4 or higher
  • Completed a post-secondary education in or outside Canada; a business management experience is also preferred
  • Minimum of 3 years business ownership and/or management
  • Personal net worth of $600,000 CAD and investment of $200,000 CAD

2

British Columbia Entrepreneur Regional Pilot
Open to all experienced entrepreneurs who want to invest and/or put up and manage a business in British Columbia as referred by one of the program’s participating communities.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Must be able to establish a business with at least 51% ownership
  • Language Proficiency with a passing score of CLB 4 or higher
  • Completed a post-secondary education in or outside Canada
  • Minimum of 3-year 100% business owner management experience
  • More than 3 years as business owner-manager or more than 4 years as a senior manager or more than 1 year as business owner manager and more than 2 years as senior manager within the last 5 years
  • Personal net worth of $300,000 CAD and investment of $100,000 CAD

3

British Columbia Strategic Projects
An opportunity for highly successful foreign companies to invest in a branch office or operating facility in BC. They will eventually become nominated as a permanent resident after a period of time.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • Investment of $500,000 CAD
  • Annual Corporate Revenue of $20 million CAD

Specialized British Columbia Immigration Stream

1

BC Tech Pilot Program
this program is for skilled foreign nationals working in one of BC’s in-demand tech occupations which are aligned with BC Skilled Immigration with an expedited processing of application. There are 29 in-demand tech occupations for this program. Kindly go to https://www.welcomebc.ca/getmedia/0c9acee2-06ea-471b-bc9e-c7547d60d092/BC-PNP-Tech-Pilot_Key-Technology-Occupations.pdf.aspx for more info.

How to apply for the OINP?

1. Register online via https://www.pnpapplication.gov.bc.ca/user/sign-in and create your profile. Make sure that you complete every section of the registration.
2. Wait for the Invitation to Apply from the BC PNP; you have up to 30 days to submit a complete application via the BC PNP Online system.
3. If your application is approved, you will receive a nomination to apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
4. If you are nominated for permanent residence by the BC PNP, you have six months from the date on your confirmation of nomination to apply to IRCC for a permanent resident visa.

Note: The Government of Canada will always have the final decision on the approval of a Permanent Residency application.

For more information, you may visit the official Ontario page by clicking the link below:

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You may also schedule an appointment with our immigration experts to know more about British Columbia’s Immigration program.

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