85 potential candidates invited under latest BC PNP Tech draw

This year, British Columbia has given almost 10,000 invitations for provincial nomination

On October 19, BC asked 85 tech employees to apply for a provincial nomination under its BC PNP Tech stream. The BC PNP (British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program) is an economic immigration route used by British Columbia to attract experienced, in-demand foreign employees. In addition, the program provides a path to Canadian permanent residency for those who desire to live and work in British Columbia.

Candidates invited through BC's Tech draws must fulfil the requirements of one of the Express Entry BC or Skills immigration categories, which is managed and administered by the SIRS (Skills and Immigration Registration System).

This draw was primarily targeted to attract the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories with a required provincial score of 75. Invited candidates would have 30 days to apply for the nomination. British Columbia has sent out over 10,000 invitations to register for provincial nomination so far in 2021.

Talking about the BC PNP, following a labour market analysis, the BC PNP Tech was introduced in May 2017 as a pilot initiative to tackle the challenge of providing skilled tech workers for BC's technology industry. Seeing its successful implementation, British Columbia decided to make it a permanent program. This program provides the necessary supply of skilled employees to BC's tech companies while hiring internationally skilled individuals.

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The BC PNP Tech, in particular, is a fast-track Canada immigration route for high-demand tech employees and international students. Candidates must register themselves in one of BC's existing provincial immigration streams with a valid 12-month work offer in one of the 29 qualifying occupations to qualify for the stream.

Unlike the other BC PNP streams, employment offers under the BC PNP Tech must be for at least one year, with at least 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP. It must also be full-time and from an employer recognized by the province.

Every week, the province's tech program distributes invites to the highest-scoring people who meet the eligibility requirements. Candidates who are asked to seek a provincial nomination must apply within the prescribed time limit. After this, most technology applications will be granted in two to three months.

If their application is granted, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide them a nomination confirmation letter, which they can use to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program Class.

PNP candidates are automatically awarded 600 points for their Comprehensive Ranking System score, increasing their chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency through Express Entry.