The BC PNP Tech programme allows tech workers going for British Columbia to receive priority processing for their immigration applications. The BC PNP Tech, which was recently upgraded from a pilot to a permanent installation, assists B.C. business in attracting foreign talent. As a result, it offers a streamlined Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for tech professionals looking to relocate to British Columbia.
If you’re in the Express Entry pool, you’ve already taken the first step in receiving an Express Entry BC nomination. You must be eligible for an Express Entry-managed programme, such as the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program, in order to get permanent residence. Then you must meet the requirements for one of the Express Entry BC subcategories: Skilled Worker, Healthcare Professional, International Graduate, or International Post-Graduate.
The B.C. government’s programme guide has a lot more information, but for the most part, you’ll need a job offer 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 occupations. The job offer should be for at least one year, with at least 120 days left on the contract. Every week, B.C. offers invitation rounds for tech candidates. They hold separate draws for the tech programme on some weeks, while they combine them in a general draw on other weeks.
You will have 30 days to apply for a provincial nomination if you are invited. Although being invited does not guarantee that you will obtain the nomination, if you do, you will have six months to apply for permanent residency. In the meantime, the BC PNP may be able to provide you with a work permit support letter, allowing you to continue working legally in Canada while you await a decision.
If you are an Express Entry applicant who has received a provincial nomination, you will receive an immediate 600 point boost to your overall score. This will elevate your profile to the top of the Express Entry pool for a subsequent draw, when you are extremely likely to obtain an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence.