With demand for talent outpacing supply, the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) is looking to attract more workers and graduates in the technology sector to the province.
The new Tech Pilot is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Through this pilot, eligible candidates with a job offer in one of 32 eligible occupations may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination, which may then be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The BC PNP will issue invitations on a weekly basis to qualified registrants in the BC PNP registration system, while also continuing to invite non-tech candidates through its other immigration initiatives. Candidates invited under the Tech Pilot will benefit from expedited processing under the BC PNP.
Applicants require a full-time, indeterminate job offer from an eligible employer in BC. The BC PNP offers different categories for individuals under its registration System, depending on their job, work experience, and level of education.
Once a candidate has determined his or her category, he or she may register online for free and receive a registration score. Every week (subject to processing capacity), the BC PNP will conduct a tech draw to invite the highest-scoring technology sector registrants to apply. From this point, invited candidates have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete online application. The government application fee is $700.
BC has stated that it will process tech applications on a priority basis. If approved, the applicant receives a nomination that he or she can use to apply for permanent residence.
Individuals who have been nominated and who meet the conditions of their nomination will receive a work permit support letter that allows them to obtain or renew their current work permit allowing them to work throughout the process.
Eligible occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot
| Occupation | NOC |
| Purchasing managers | 0113 |
| Telecommunication carriers managers | 0131 |
| Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts | 0512 |
| Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations | 1123 |
| Civil engineers | 2131 |
| Mechanical engineers | 2132 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 2133 |
| Chemical engineers | 2134 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 2147 |
| Information systems analysts and consultants | 2171 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 2172 |
| Software engineers and designers | 2173 |
| Computer programmers and interactive media developers | 2174 |
| Web designers and developers | 2175 |
| Biological technologists and technicians | 2221 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 2241 |
| Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) | 2242 |
| Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics | 2243 |
| Computer network technicians | 2281 |
| User support technicians | 2282 |
| Information systems testing technicians | 2283 |
| Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants | 4163 |
| Authors and writers | 5121 |
| Editors | 5122 |
| Translators, terminologists and interpreters | 5125 |
| Broadcast technicians | 5224 |
| Audio and video recording technicians | 5225 |
| Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts | 5226 |
| Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts | 5227 |
| Graphic designers and illustrators | 5241 |
| Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade | 6221 |
The BC PNP will continue to invite non-tech candidates through its other immigration initiatives.
If you have a job offer from an employer in BC and wish to learn more about your options, please contact wp@canadavisa.com for further guidance.
To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently, fill out a free online assessment form.
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