British Columbia Invites 59 Candidates In Latest BC PNP Tech Draw
On July 27, British Columbia invited 59 candidates working in important tech occupations to apply for a provincial nomination.
The BC PNP Tech, which is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, issued the fresh invites (BC PNP).
Those invited through B.C.’s Tech draws must fulfill 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 invites in this draw came from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and had to have a provincial score of at least 80.
Candidates who have been invited to apply for the nomination have 30 calendar days to do so.
British Columbia’s Tech Pilot now a permanent program
The BC PNP Tech was introduced in May 2017 as a pilot project following a labor market study that discovers the biggest issue confronting B.C.’s technology sector was access to talent.
The tech pilot project has been very successful and has led to over 6,000 potential immigrants becoming nominated for Canadian permanent residence.
Hence, based on its success, the tech pilot project has been extended on an annual basis for the past four years.
This year, however, instead of extending the pilot project again, and following requests from various stakeholders and employers in the IT sector, British Columbia announced that the program is becoming permanent.
The program, now called the BC PNP Tech, remains a fast-track immigration gateway for in-demand skilled tech workers and international students.
Candidates need to be registered in one of the province’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least twelve months in one of the twenty-nine eligible occupations to be eligible.
Unlike the other BC PNP streams, job offers under BC PNP Tech must be for at least a period of one year, with a minimum of 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP.
The job offer must also be full-time and from an eligible employer in British Columbia.
Invitations via the province’s tech program are issued weekly to the top-scoring candidates who meet the eligibility criteria.
Candidates who are invited to apply for a provincial nomination have thirty days to lodge a complete application.
Once this is done, most tech applications will be processed within 2 to 3 months.
If they are approved, tech candidates will get a nomination confirmation that can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence from Canada’s immigration department also know as IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Program Class.
List Of 29 Eligible Occupations For The BC PNP TECH Pilot
| NOC | Job Title |
|---|---|
| 0131 | Telecommunication carrier managers |
| 0213 | Computer and information system managers |
| 0512 | Managers – publishing, motion picture, broadcasting, and performing arts |
| 2131 | Civil engineers |
| 2132 | Mechanical engineers |
| 2133 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 2134 | Chemical engineer |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designer |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developer |
| 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 mechanic |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | User support technician |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 5121 | Authors and writers |
| 5122 | Editors |
| 5125 | Translators, terminologists, and interpreters |
| 5224 | Broadcast technician |
| 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 designer and illustrators |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade |
About the BC PNP Tech program
The BC PNP Tech was established in May 2017 as a pilot program in response to labor market research that revealed that the most pressing issue for B.C.’s technology industry was a lack of talent.
Because of the project’s success, British Columbia recently announced that it will become a permanent program.
This fast-tracked immigration program is designed for high-demand IT employees and foreign students.
To qualify for this stream, candidates must be registered in one of B.C.’s current provincial immigration streams and have a valid employment offer for at least twelve months in one of the twenty-nine eligible occupations.
Unlike other BC PNP streams, job offers under the Tech pilot program must be for a minimum of one year, with a minimum of 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP.
It must also be full-time and from an eligible employer in British Columbia province.
Invitations are given out weekly through the province’s tech program to the top-scoring candidates who satisfy the eligibility conditions.
Immigration candidates who are invited to apply for a provincial nomination must complete an application.
After that, most tech applications will be processed within two to three months.
If approved, candidates will get 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.
