The BC PNP Tech program gives tech employees heading for British Columbia priority processing for their applications.
The BC PNP Tech, which was recently upgraded from a pilot to a permanent structure, assists B.C. businesses in attracting foreign talent. As a result, it offers a streamlined Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for tech professionals looking to relocate to British Columbia.
Through Express Entry, you can apply for BC PNP Tech.
Only persons who are already qualified for the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC streams are eligible for the BC PNP Tech.
If you’re in the Express Entry group, you’ve already taken the first step in receiving an Express Entry BC recommendation. You must be eligible for an Express Entry-managed stream, such as the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program, to get P.R.
Then you must meet the requirements for one of the Express Entry BC subcategories: International Graduate/Post-Graduate, Skilled Worker, or Healthcare Professional.
The B.C. government’s program manual has a lot more information. Still, for the most part, you’ll need an offer of employment to be qualified for most of these categories — with the exception of International Post-Graduate.
For the BC PNP Tech, you must have a full-time employment offer in one of 29 approved tech-related professions. The job opportunity should be for at least 12 months, with at least 120 days left on the contract. Every week, B.C. offers to invite rounds for tech candidates. They conduct separate draws for the tech program on some weeks, while they combine them in a regular draw on other weeks.
Individuals get 30 days to register for a provincial nomination if they get invitations. Although being asked does not ensure that you will obtain the recommendation. But if the applicant gets it, they will have six months to apply for P.R. The BC PNP may be able to provide you with a work permit letter of support, allowing you to continue working lawfully in the country while you await a judgment.
If you are an Express Entry applicant who has received a provincial nomination, you will receive an immediate 600 point boost to your total rating. This will elevate your account to the top of the Express Entry pool for a future draw when you are extremely likely to obtain an Invitation to Apply for P.R.
A word on the subject of expedited processing
The BC PNP is only responsible for its own province’s immigration program. It can’t speed up your P.R. application because that’s up to the federal immigration department.
The BC PNP can provide opportunities for immigrants to carry on with their job in the region during the procedure. The Tech project is one of the options for applicants who want to avoid the expensive and time-consuming Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Nominees can also acquire work permit letters from the BC PNP, which they can utilize to request a fresh one or prolong their existing one while waiting for PR.
The BC PNP prioritizes applicants who have job opportunities in one of the 29 critical technology professions. Your file will be allocated to a designated group within one working day after submitting a complete application.
According to the provincial government’s website, 80% of BC PNP requests take two to three months to evaluate once they are received, but Tech applications usually take less time.
What are the 29 occupations that are qualified for the BC PNP Tech?
You may be qualified for the BC PNP Tech if you employ in one of these professions. The 29 acceptable professions are listed below as per their code of National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- 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
