New BC PNP Tech draw: 74 candidates have been invited

BC has given over 8,661 invitations to seek a provincial nomination since the beginning of 2021

On September 21, BC asked 74 tech employees to apply for a provincial nomination. The invitations were sent out by the BC PNP Tech, a division of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). As per the SIRS (Skills and Immigration Registration System) guidelines, candidates invited through BC's Tech draws must fulfil one of the Express Entry BC or Skills immigration categories.

Candidates with a provincial score of at least 80 under the skilled worker and international graduate subcategories were invited to this draw. Candidates invited under this draw now have only 30 days to apply for provincial nomination. British Columbia has issued over 8,661 invitations to apply for provincial nomination so far in 2021.

PNP Tech Program in British Columbia

The BC PNP Tech was launched in May 2017 as a pilot project responding to labour market data that indicated a talent shortage as the most significant issue for BC's technology economy. Following the success of the pilot, BC made it a permanent programme. When appropriate personnel are not available locally, the programme is designed to enable firms in British Columbia's technology industry to attract and choose international talent.

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Particularly, the BC PNP Tech is a fast-track immigration pathway for in-demand IT or Technology sector workers and international students. But prior to that, candidates are required to be registered in one of BC's existing provincial immigration streams. To be eligible for the stream, they should also have a valid 12-month job offer in one of 29 qualified occupations.

Job offers under the BC PNP Tech must be for at least a 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 recognised by the province. Invitations are distributed weekly through the province's tech programme to the highest-scoring people who meet the qualifying requirements.

Candidates who are requested to apply for a provincial nomination must do so. The majority of technology applications will thereafter be processed within two to three months. If approved, candidates will get a nomination confirmation letter from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which may be used later to apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program Class. PNP applicants earn 600 points automatically for their Comprehensive Ranking System score, and so have a very good probability of receiving an Invitation to Appointment.