British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

British Columbia is recognized globally as a preferred place to work, live, and immigrate. The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Express Entry Program creates a faster way to gain permanent residence as a Skilled Worker. British Columbia Nominees are eligible to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. 

Applicants who receive the nomination certificate are awarded 600 additional points that will help them to quickly get an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

According to Statista, British Columbia welcomed about 44,899 immigrants between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

The BC PNP is administered in partnership with the federal government. Express Entry BC connects to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system to speed up the permanent residence process.

• The applicant must have received an Express Entry Profile Number and a Job Seeker Validation Code from the IRCC Express Entry system. 
• The applicant must have accepted a full-time, indeterminate job offer in British Columbia. The job must be in a National Occupational Classification skilled occupation  (Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B).
• The applicant must have at least two years of directly related work experience.
• The applicant must have proof of financial support.
• The applicant must have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
• The applicant must meet minimum language requirements.
• The applicant must have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation.

• Data Source: Canada – Admissions of Permanent Residents by Province/Territory of Intended Destination and Immigration Category, January 2015 – November 2020. Open Data

• Data Source: Notice – Supplementary Information 2020-2023 Immigration Levels Plan – Canada.ca

Skilled workers with skill type 0 or Skill Level A or B  in the National Occupational Classification.

FORMS REQUIRED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY

• Schedule 4, Economic Class – Provincial Nominee
• Generic Application form to Canada – IMM 0008
• Schedule A Background/Declaration -IMM 5669
• Additional Family Information- IMM 5406
• Use of Representative – IMM 5476
• Additional dependants/declaration – IMM0008DEP (if applicable)
• Document Checklist [IMM 5690]
• Supplementary Information—Your travels [IMM 5562] 
• Separation Declaration for Minors Travelling to Canada [IMM 5604) 
• Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union [IMM 5409]

• Provincial Nomination Certificate 
• Language Test Result: This is usually valid for two years.
• Credential Evaluation Report
• Valid Passport: You must hold a valid regular passport that is not expired or about to expire.
• Police Certificate: Applicants must obtain and submit Police certificates for each country they have lived in for more than six months since 18 years of age.
• Job offer from an employer in British Columbia
• Medical Examination: a panel physician must conduct a medical examination before issuing a PR visa. The panel physicians will issue an information printout sheet and IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form after completing the medical examination. Follow this link to view the list of panel physicians for each country. Panel Physicians (cic.gc.ca).
• Work Reference Letter: You must obtain and submit with your application reference letters from your present or previous employer to prove your work experience. 
• Passport photos: Include two passport photos of each family member. The photo must be taken within the last six months of applying. Write the name and date of birth of each family member in one of the photos.
• Birth certificate: required if you have dependent children
• Marriage Certificate: This is required if you are married.
• Divorce certificate, adoption certificate, death certificate: You will need to submit these documents If it is applicable in your situation.

• Proof of Funds: Every applicant needs to provide evidence of funds except those authorized to work in Canada or have a valid job offer. The number of funds you need will depend on the size of your family. This minimum amount is updated yearly. Follow this link to view the most up to date funds required.

Find below a breakdown of the minimum funds you must have to immigrate to Canada.

Step 1: Registration

The first step is to determine your eligibility and register with the Skills Immigration Registration System as an expression of interest. Before registering for the program, an applicant must complete an Express Entry profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express and meet the requirement of either the programs Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program or the Canadian Experience Class. An Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker validation code must be submitted as part of the application. An applicant can register by creating a profile online.

Step 2: Invitation

The Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is a points-based registration and application system. Invitations are sent out periodically. Successful applicants will receive an invitation to apply under the Express Entry BC stream.

Step 3: Application

If invited, submit your Express Entry BC application through BC PNP Online. Applicants have 30 days to apply after receiving an invitation. The applicant must also pay the application fee of  $1,150.

Step 4: Nomination

Applicants whose application for provincial nomination are approved will be issued a provincial nomination certificate which they can then use to apply through the IRCC Express Entry system.

If your application is approved, you will be nominated for permanent residence through the IRCC Express Entry system. You must accept the nomination through the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada Express Entry portal in order to receive a federal invitation to apply for permanent residence as a provincial nominee from IRCC. If the application is approved by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, the applicant will become a Canadian permanent resident. Learn more about applying for the permanent residence provincial nominee category.

The BC PNP issued invitations to apply to qualified Skills Worker Immigration and Express Entry BC categories on January 19, 2021. A total of 195 invitations were issued. Read more about the invitation.