B.C. invited 84 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on May 4. Invited candidates who were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories needed a minimum provincial score of 80.
The province has now invited 3,977 immigration candidates in 2021. Invited candidates have 30 calendar days to apply for the nomination.
About the Tech Pilot
The BC PNP Tech Pilot is a fast-track Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for in-demand tech workers and international students. Candidates need to be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least 12 months in one of the Tech Pilot’s 29 eligible occupations.
To apply for the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC categories candidates must first create a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and register under its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Applicants are evaluated and issued a score that determines whether they may be invited to apply in a given invitation round. The score is based on a number of factors such as level of education, years of direct work experience, and having a B.C. job offer. Tech Pilot draws are held every week.
The pilot project was launched in May 2017, following a labour market study that found the biggest issue facing B.C.’s tech sector was access to talent. So, the Tech Pilot was created to support the tech sector’s growth by making it easier for workers with in-demand skills to immigrate to B.C. The pilot has been extended several times, most recently until next month.
Tech Pilot for Express Entry candidates
Express Entry candidates who receive a nomination from B.C. will be given an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and are effectively guaranteed an Invitation To Apply (ITA) in a future federal Express Entry draw.
Canada then invites them to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry draws. If they are approved, the last step is for them to land in Canada and claim permanent residency status.