
Program Overview
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) allows the province to nominate individuals for permanent residence who have the skills and experience needed in B.C.’s labour market. It includes two main categories:
● Skills Immigration (SI): For skilled workers, international graduates, and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations.
● Entrepreneur Immigration (EI): For experienced business owners and investors ready to start or buy a business in B.C.
Each stream aligns with British Columbia’s economic needs and regional priorities.
Skills Immigration Streams
Skilled Worker Stream
● Must have a full-time, indeterminate job offer in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
● Minimum two years of relevant work experience.
● Language test required for TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
● Job offer must meet B.C. wage standards.
● Must demonstrate ability to support self and dependents.
● Available under both BC PNP and Express Entry BC (EEBC) pathways.
Health Authority Stream
● For applicants with a job offer from a B.C. public health authority.
● Includes physicians, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals.
● No registration required. Direct application permitted.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Stream
● For workers in tourism/hospitality, food processing, or long-haul trucking.
● Must have completed 9 consecutive months of employment with the same B.C. employer.
● Job offer must be full-time and indeterminate.
● Not eligible under Express Entry.
International Post-Graduate Stream
● For graduates of eligible B.C. post-secondary institutions with master’s or doctoral degrees in natural, applied, or health sciences.
● No job offer required.
● Must apply within three years of graduation.
● Eligible under both BC PNP and Express Entry BC.
● No registration required.
Entrepreneur Immigration Streams
Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category
● Minimum personal net worth of CAD $600,000.
● Minimum investment of CAD $200,000 in a new or existing eligible business.
● Active day-to-day management required.
● Must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian or permanent resident.
Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
● For entrepreneurs launching a business in small B.C. communities.
● Minimum net worth of CAD $300,000.
● Minimum investment of CAD $100,000.
● Community referral is required.
● Must create at least one full-time job.
● Must actively manage the business.
Application Process
1. Registration (if required)
● Register on the BC PNP Online portal and receive a score.
● Registration is valid for 12 months.
2. Invitation to Apply (ITA)
● Selected candidates are invited to submit a full application.
● Health Authority and International Post-Graduate applicants can apply directly without ITA.
3. Application Submission
● Complete application must be submitted within 30 days of receiving ITA.
● Pay the non-refundable processing fee.
4. Nomination
● If approved, receive a BC PNP nomination certificate.
● Apply for permanent residence through IRCC using your nomination.
Processing Times and Draws
● Processing Times: Range from 2 to 4 months depending on the stream.
● Draws: Conducted regularly and may target specific sectors, occupations, or regions.
● Selection Factors: Include occupation, wage, work location, education, and language ability.
Yes. The International Post-Graduate stream does not require a job offer.
No. Only the Skilled Worker and International Post-Graduate streams have an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
$200,000 for the Base Category, and $100,000 for the Regional Pilot.
Yes. You must obtain a referral from a participating regional B.C. community.
Yes. The Health Authority Stream allows direct application for select health occupations.
Plan Your Immigration to British Columbia
Whether you are a worker, graduate, or entrepreneur, our RCIC-led team can guide you through the BC PNP process with clarity and compliance.