On November 16th 2021, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) changed its points system to modify point allocations for applicants.
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To summarize, the points system (which, like in Express Entry-managed programs is used to assess applicants’ eligibility for immigration under permanent residence) has changed in the following ways:
These changes (still divided between human capital and economic factors) are reflected in the new table for points allocation:
Scoring Selections | Max Points | |
---|---|---|
Human Capital Factors | Directly Related Work Experience | 40 |
Highest Level of Education | 40 | |
Language Proficiency (English or French) | 40 | |
Economic Factors | Hourly Wage of the B.C. Job Offer | 55 |
Area within B.C. | 25 | |
Total Points Available | 200 |
The first and arguably most notable change to the new points allocation system, is the removal of points based on the NOC skill level of the job offer of an applicant.
Previously assigned up to 60 points in value based on the NOC, these points have now been distributed across both human capital and economic factors of applicants.
Pursuant to the removal of points for NOC code of job offer, every other human capital or economic factor has been given an increased weightage:
Another change in the points allocation for economic factors was the addition of 5 points that can be awarded to eligible professional designations held by an applicant. This includes any valid trade certificate held by SkilledTradesBC or Industry Training Authority British Columbia (ITABC); but also makes reference to specific professions on page 56 of the BCPNP program guide.
A maximum score for language ability (30 points) can now be achieved with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 9 as opposed to the previous 10. The CLB is Canada’s national standard for evaluating language ability, based on official language tests.
A further change here is that ability in both English and French is now recognized and receives an additional 10 points for applicants who have both.
Additional modifications have been made to the district of employment of applicants in B.C. Whereas previously select locations outside of Vancouver would receive a tiered number of points, the current scoring criteria allocates:
Additionally, the criteria allocate 10 additional points to individuals with specific regional education or work experience (as opposed to the previous allocation for one year of any Canadian experience).
The final major change to the points criteria was a higher wage ceiling to receive the maximum number of points based on income. There are also 5 additional points available here for applicants (55, previously 50).
Whereas previously an annual salary of $100,000 would guarantee an applicant the maximum number of points in this category, B.C. has adjusted this ceiling to an annual income of $145,000; applicants who previously held a salary of $100,000 now only receive 33 points, as opposed to the old maximum of 50.
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