A British Columbia PNP Tech Guide for Express Entry Candidates

Tech workers destined for British Columbia can get priority processing for their immigration application through the BC PNP Tech program.

Recently transformed from a pilot facility to a permanent facility, BC PNP Tech is helping British Columbia. employers recruit foreign talent. In turn, it offers an Accelerated Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for tech talent wishing to immigrate to British Columbia.

What are the requirements for BC PNP Tech?

British Columbia PNP Tech is for the candidates who are eligible for BC PNPs Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC stream.

If you are part of the Express Entry pool, you have already completed the first step to obtain a nomination through the BC Express Entry stream. To eventually obtain permanent residence, you will need to be eligible for a program managed by Express Entry such as the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program.

From there, you must be eligible for one of the BC Express Entry subcategories: Skilled Worker, Health Care Professional, International Grad, or International Post-Grad.

There are many more details available on the BC government program guide, but generally speaking, you will need a job posting to be eligible for most of these categories, except the International Post-Graduate.

For BC PNP Tech, in particular, you need a full-time job offer for one of the 29 qualifying occupations in the tech sector. The job offer must be for at least one year with 120 calendar days remaining on the contract. British Columbia organizes weekly invitation rounds for technical candidates. Some weeks they organize draws specifically for the technology program, other weeks it is merged into a general draw.

If you are invited, you will have 30 days to apply for provincial nomination. Being invited does not guarantee that you will receive the nomination, but you will have six months to use it for an application for permanent residence if you do. In the meantime, you may be able to get a letter of support for the work permit from BC PNP, so that you can continue to work legally in Canada while you wait for a decision.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination get a major boost of 600 CRS points. This will propel your profile to the top of the pool for a subsequent Express Entry draw, where you will most likely receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

Expedited Processing for Tech applications

BC PNP has jurisdiction only over its provincial immigration program. It cannot expedite your final application for permanent residence, as it is in the hands of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The BC PNP can provide immigrant applicants with options to continue working in the province throughout the immigration application process. The Tech program is one of the pathways that allow applicants to skip the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which can be a lengthy and costly process.

BC PNP also offers work permit support letters for applicants so that they can apply for a new work permit or renew their current status while awaiting permanent residence.

BC PNP prioritizes applications from individuals with job openings in the 29 key technology occupations. Once you submit a complete application, your case will be assigned to a dedicated processing team within one business day.

The provincial government webpage states that 80 percent of BC PNP requests are processed 2-3 months from receipt, but technical requests are usually processed within a shorter time frame.

What are the occupations eligible for BC PNP Tech?

If you work in any of these occupations, you may be eligible for the BC PNP Tech program. According to their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, here is a complete list of the 29 eligible occupations according to their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.

• NOC Code 0131 - Telecommunication carrier managers;
• NOC Code 0213 - Computer and information systems managers;
• NOC Code 0512 - Managers: Publishing, Motion pictures, Broadcasting and Performing arts;
• NOC Code 2131 - Civil engineers;
• NOC Code 2132 - Mechanical engineers;
• NOC Code 2133 - Electrical and electronics engineers;
• NOC Code 2134 - Chemical engineers;
• NOC Code 2147 - Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers);
• NOC Code 2171 - Information systems analysts and consultants;
• NOC Code 2172 - Database analysts and data administrators;
• NOC Code 2173 - Software engineers and designers;
• NOC Code 2174 - Computer programmers and interactive media developers;
• NOC Code 2175 - Web designers and developers;
• NOC Code 2221 - Biological technologists and technicians;
• NOC Code 2241 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians;
• NOC Code 2242 - Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment);
• NOC Code 2243 - Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics;
• NOC Code 2281 - Computer network technicians;
• NOC Code 2282 - User support technicians;
• NOC Code 2283 - Information systems and testing technicians;
• NOC Code 5121 - Authors and writers;
• NOC Code 5122 - Editors;
• NOC Code 5125 - Translators, terminologists, and interpreters;
• NOC Code 5224 - Broadcast technicians;
• NOC Code 5225 - Audio and video recording technicians;
• NOC Code 5226 - Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion;
• NOC Code 5227 - Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography, and the performing arts;
• NOC Code 5241 - Graphic designers and illustrators;
• NOC Code 6221 - Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade;