New PNP draw: BC welcomes 108 tech employees

Since the beginning of 2021, British Columbia has given over 9,000 invitations to seek a provincial nomination

On October 5, BC asked 108 tech employees to apply for a provincial nomination. Eligible candidates were invited through the BC PNP (British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program). Candidates invited through BC's Tech draws must meet the criteria for one of the Express Entry BC or Skills immigration categories, administered by the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Candidates who got invites in this draw came from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and had a provincial score of at least 70. This is the first time that the score has slipped 10 points below the average minimum of 80 points in over a year. Candidates who have been requested to submit an application for nomination now have 30 calendar days to do so. British Columbia has issued almost 9,000 invitations to file for provincial nomination so far in 2021.

The BC PNP Tech was established in May 2017 as a pilot initiative in response to labour market research that revealed that the most pressing issue for BC's technology industry was a lack of talent. Following the project's success, BC made it a permanent program. When suitable employees are not available locally, the program is meant to allow companies in British Columbia's technology industry to continue attracting and choosing foreign talent.

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The BC PNP Tech program, in particular, is a fast-track immigration option for in-demand technology workers and foreign students. To qualify for the stream, candidates must be registered in one of BC's existing provincial immigration streams with a valid job offer for at least 12 months in one of the 29 qualifying occupations.

Under the BC PNP Tech, job offers must be for a minimum of one year, with at least 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP. It must also be from a province-approved employer and be full-time. The top-scoring people who meet the qualifying requirements get invitations every week through the province's technology program.

Candidates who have been requested to submit an application for a provincial nomination must do so. After that, most technology applications will be processed within two to three months. If approved, applicants will get a nomination confirmation letter from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that may be used to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program Class. In addition, PNP applicants automatically receive 600 points for their Comprehensive Ranking System score and have a solid chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through Express Entry.