B.C. invited 168 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence on January 5, 2021.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued invitations through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration streams.

Candidates were invited under the following sub-categories: Skilled Worker, International Graduate, and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled.

Below is a more detailed breakdown of the sub-categories included in the draw and the minimum scores required in order to receive an invitation :

• Skills Immigration: Skilled Worker: 95
• Skills Immigration: International Graduate: 95
• Skills Immigration Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled: 77
• Express Entry BC: Skilled Worker: 99
• Express Entry BC: International Graduate: 99

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the activities of certain sectors and businesses in British Columbia. For this reason, some occupations continue to be excluded from recent draws. A list of occupations that were not included in the last draw can be found on the BC PNP web page.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canadian immigration

The Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams of the BC PNP are designed to attract and retain international workers or graduates who have the qualifications, education and work experience to fill positions that are in high-demand in British Columbia.

If you are interested in applying under one of those two streams, the first step is to create a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and register under its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

You will then be evaluated and issued a score based on factors such as job location, level of education, work experience, proficiency in English and salary.

If you are approved, you will be able to use your provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Having a profile in the Express Entry system and receiving a nomination from British Columbia will give you an additional 600 points toward your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

These added points will essentially guarantee that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a future federal Express Entry draw.

Express Entry and PNPs are two of the main ways skilled workers can immigrate to Canada.

Express Entry draws generally take place every two weeks.

B.C. holds draws through its various BC PNP categories and streams on a weekly basis.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canadian immigration

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