British Columbia Invites 56 Candidates In Latest Tech Draw
On July 13, British Columbia invited 56 candidates working in key technological occupations to apply for a provincial nomination.
The BC PNP Tech, which is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, issued the new invitations (BC PNP).
Those selected through B.C.’s Tech draws must meet the requirements of one of the Express Entry BC or Skills immigration categories managed by the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Candidates who got invitations in this draw were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and had to have a minimum provincial score of 80.
The 56 Candidates who have been invited to apply for the nomination have 30 days to do so.
About The BC PNP Tech Program
Following a labor market study, the BC PNP Tech was introduced in May 2017 as a pilot project, with the largest issue confronting B.C.’s technology sector being access to talent.
Due to its success, the British Columbia government recently announced that the project would become a permanent program.
In-demand tech workers and overseas students are eligible for this fast-track immigration scheme.
To qualify for this stream, the 56 candidates must be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid 12-month employment offer in one of twenty-six approved occupations.
Unlike other BC PNP streams, job offers under the Tech program must be for a minimum of one year, with at least 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP tech program.
It must also be full-time and from a province-approved employer.
The province’s tech program sends invitations to the top-scoring candidates who meet the eligibility requirements on a weekly basis.
Immigration candidates who are invited to apply for a provincial nomination must complete an application in its entirety.
Most tech applications will be approved in two to three months after this is completed.
If approved, candidates will obtain a nomination confirmation letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which they can use to apply for permanent residence under the Provincial Nominee Program Class.
List Of 29 Eligible Occupation For The BC PNP Tech Pilot
| NOC | Job Title |
|---|---|
| 0131 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 0512 | Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 2131 | Civil engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 2134 | Chemical engineers |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers |
| 2221 | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
| 2243 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | User support technicians |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 5121 | Authors and writers |
| 5122 | Editors |
| 5125 | Translators, terminologists and interpreters |
| 5224 | Broadcast technicians |
| 5225 | Audio and video recording technicians |
| 5226 | Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts |
| 5227 | Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts |
| 5241 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade |
About Express Entry For Tech Pilot
The Tech Pilot is linked to the federal Express Entry immigration application management system.
Express Entry candidates are awarded points based on human capital factors such as work experience, age, education, and language proficiency in French or English under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
They must also meet the minimum requirements for one of IRCC’s Express Entry programs:
As a provincial nominee, you may obtain an extra 600 points under the CRS and therefore have a score good enough to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in future federal Express Entry draw.
Express Entry draws continue to be conducted on a regular basis despite current travel restrictions and border closures.
PNPs have continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no sign of their activities abating in 2021.
