British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

British Columbia Provincial Program is designed to attract immigrants who can contribute to the economic development of the province and fill the labor shortage in the region. The program is divided into two main areas: Skills Immigration and Entrepreneur Immigration. A distinctive feature of the program is a simplified application process for permanent residence for some streams, such as for medical workers (Healthcare Professional).

Document processing time by British Columbia Immigration Services under the Skills Immigration Direction:

Decision time by British Columbia Immigration Services through the Entrepreneur Immigration process.

Amount of fees for processing documents by stages for the main streams as of July 2024:

Skills Immigration

The Skills Immigration program is designed for skilled workers and graduates who wish to live and work in British Columbia. The immigration service primarily looks at the applicant’s experience and professional skills and their potential contribution to the regional economy. General requirements for this stream include:

• Language competence. Depending on the profession, it is necessary to prove knowledge of English or French at the CLB level of 4 or higher. Test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF or TCF) must be valid at the time of application.
• Salary. The salary should be in line with the market level and be comparable to the salary of Canadians and permanent residents with similar qualifications. There are no specific ranges, it is recommended to check them through resources such as WorkBC or Job Bank.
• Minimum income. The applicant must meet minimum income requirements. For example, for the Metro Vancouver Regional District, the minimum income for a family of 1 is $26,620, and for a family of 7 or more, it is $70,449. For the rest of British Columbia, the minimum income ranges from $22,186 to $58,713, depending on family size.
• Acceptable work situations. The job must provide a direct economic benefit to the province. Independent contractor or subcontractor work does not count.

Skilled worker. Stream for experienced and financially self-sufficient workers with a job offer from a local employer in NOC TEER 0–3 occupations. The applicant must have at least two years of experience in these occupations and must meet the minimum language requirements (minimum 4 points on CLB\NCLC).

Healthcare professional. This stream allows medical workers of the British Columbia health authorities to obtain permanent residence. The stream applies to doctors, nurses, midwives and others. An important feature is that there is no need to register for participation in the stream if you meet its requirements. In this case, an application can be submitted directly to the immigration authorities under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). Stream requirements:

• Job offer. Must have an offer of permanent, full-time employment from a public health authority in British Columbia. Physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives may apply if supported by a public health authority or midwifery practice group. Applicants must have a letter of recommendation and documentation of qualifications, employment and support from a health care provider.
• Qualification. The candidate must meet the educational requirements, work experience requirements and qualifications specified by the health authority.

International graduate allows graduates who have earned a degree, diploma, or certificate from an accredited Canadian institution to become permanent residents. The candidate must have completed at least 50% of their program of study in Canada. However, distance learning is not accepted (except for the period from January 2020 to June 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Other stream requirements:

• Application deadline. You must register with the BC PNP no later than three years after completing your program of study.
• Job offer. Must have a full-time job offer in a position that falls within NOC TEER 1, 2, or 3 categories.
• Requirements for the employer. The employer must meet the requirements of the program, including the availability of licenses and other necessary documents.

International post-graduate. For recent graduates of a master’s or doctoral degree in British Columbia. The master’s or doctoral degree must be in one of the following disciplines:

• Agriculture and related sciences
• Biological and biomedical sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Engineering and related disciplines
• Healthcare and allied professions
• Mathematics and statistics
• Protection of natural resources
• Physical sciences.

Doctoral (PhD) programs in other fields are also eligible, but only if completed at a public institution in British Columbia. More than 50% of the training must be completed in Canada. Applications must be submitted no later than three years after graduation, and no later than one year after the completion date listed on the diploma.

Entry level and semi-skilled. For entry-level or semi-skilled workers in tourism, hospitality, and food processing. The applicant must have already been working in British Columbia for a certain period of time.

Basic requirements:

• Work in NOC TEER 4 or 5 positions.
• Have a valid full-time job offer from a British Columbia employer and have at least nine months of experience with that employer.
• Language proficiency level not lower than CLB 4.
• The employer must meet the requirements of the program, such as having a valid license, supporting the nomination application, and providing working conditions that comply with the law.

Entrepreneur Immigration

The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program is designed for experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to invest and operate a business in British Columbia. The program aims to support economic growth and job creation in the province.

The basic requirements of the Entrepreneur Immigration stream include:

• Applicants must have proven experience in business management or leadership. Depending on the stream, the required experience may range from three years as a business owner to four years in a leadership position.
• The applicant must create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Relatives or close associates of the applicant do not count.
• Knowledge of English or French at CLB level 4 or higher at the time of application. Proof of language proficiency is required for the final report after the business plan has been implemented.
• The applicant must reside within 50 km of the business and be present in British Columbia for at least 75% of the time from the date of receipt of the work visa until the final report is submitted.
• Applicants must submit a detailed business plan that includes a business development strategy, financial performance assessment, and a description of the potential economic contribution to the province.
• Applicants must have legal immigration status in Canada and must not be at risk of deportation or have an asylum claim pending.

Entrepreneur immigration — base category. This stream is for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or acquire and grow an existing business in British Columbia. Basic requirements include minimum investment and job creation. Basic requirements for participation in the Entrepreneur Immigration — Base Category include:

• The candidate must actively manage the business, which means responsibility for day-to-day operations.
• The candidate must have a minimum net worth of $600,000 CAD ($436,800). The net worth must be legally acquired and documented.
• The candidate must have a post-secondary education (diploma, certificate) or business management experience within the last 36 months out of the last 60 months with 100% business ownership.
• The applicant must propose to establish a new business or acquire and develop an existing business in British Columbia. The business must contribute to the economic growth of the province and have the potential for sustainable commercial success.
• The applicant must invest at least $200,000 CAD ($145,600) in the proposed business within 610 days of arrival in British Columbia. The investment must be for key business expenses such as new equipment, marketing, rent, and other operating costs.

Entrepreneur immigration — regional. This stream is aimed at entrepreneurs who are ready to open a business in small communities in British Columbia. Unlike Entrepreneur Immigration — Base, the candidate needs support from the local community, which must be provided by a referral. Only after receiving a referral, the candidate can apply for participation in the stream. Other criteria include:

• A visit by the candidate to the selected community to assess opportunities and coordinate business ideas with local authorities.
• The minimum personal wealth of the applicant must be CAD 300,000 ($218,400), including the assets of his/her spouse and dependents.
• The business must be new and aligned with the economic priorities of the community where it will be established. The applicant must propose a detailed business plan.
• You must invest at least $100,000 CAD ($72,800) in your proposed business within 610 days (approximately 20 months) of arriving in British Columbia with a work permit.

Strategic projects is designed for foreign corporations that want to invest in British Columbia and expand their business. This stream allows companies to transfer up to five key employees needed to run their business to Canada to become permanent residents. The requirements for companies are as follows:

• The company must be financially sound and demonstrate a willingness and ability to expand internationally into British Columbia. The company’s investment in the region must bring significant economic benefit to the province.
• The minimum capital investment required to develop the company’s operations in British Columbia must be $500,000 CAD ($364,000).
• The company must create a minimum of three new full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each employee nominated.
• Employees must hold management or specialized positions within the company and have the qualifications and experience necessary to manage a business in British Columbia.

The BC Provincial Immigration Program (BC PNP) is an effective pathway to Canada’s permanent residence for professionals and entrepreneurs. Skills Immigration is suitable for skilled workers, medical professionals, and graduates; Entrepreneur Immigration is for businessmen who are ready to invest from 100 thousand CAD and create jobs. The program is focused on the economic growth of the province.