Latest B.C. Tech Pilot draw issues 92 invitations

B.C. issued invitations to immigration candidates through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration (SI) streams on December 15.

The EEBC stream is for candidates with a valid profile in the federal government’s Express Entry system, which is Canada’s main pathway for skilled immigrants who are hoping to obtain Canadian permanent residence.

The SI stream is for skilled and semi-skilled workers whose occupations are in high demand in the province of B.C.

Both streams allow candidates to apply under various categories.

Candidates selected in today's draw all needed a minimum provincial score of 80 and were from the following categories:

SI - Skilled Worker
SI - International Graduate
EEBC - Skilled Worker
EEBC - International Graduate

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech Pilot was launched in 2017 to assist employers in attracting potential immigrants in the Information Technology (IT) sector and to facilitate the immigration process for foreign tech workers and international students.

The BC PNP sends weekly Tech Pilot invitations to eligible candidates with a valid one-year job offer in one of the program's specified 29 occupations. The job offer must also have at least 120 days remaining at the time of application.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canadian immigration

Express Entry candidates who receive a nomination from British Columbia will be awarded 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 draw.

In order to be considered for immigration to British Columbia through the Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories, individuals must first create a profile through the BC PNP online portal and register under the program's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Latest BC PNP Tech Pilot figures

The province of British Columbia has conducted 27 tech-only draws so far in 2020 through its BC PNP, with the most recent draw prior to today's draw taking place on December 1, 2020.

Aside from tech pilot draws, B.C. also invites foreign workers and graduates in non-tech occupations every two weeks.

The province has been holding these draws regularly despite the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, on September 29, B.C. held its largest draw of the year. A total of 450 Express Entry and Skills Immigration candidates were invited in that draw. Over the past two months, B.C. has maintained that steady trend, issuing on average about 350 invitations during its draws.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canadian immigration