British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

British Columbia is one of the most dynamic and desirable provinces to live in Canada, attracting a large number of immigrants each year. With a flexible and transparent provincial immigration system, the opportunity to settle in British Columbia has never been more accessible and appealing. In this article, Phan Immigration will provide the latest information about the British Columbia immigration policies for our readers.

Introduction to the Province of British Columbia

British Columbia is one of the most vibrant provinces in Canada, located on the country’s far west coast. The province is home to Vancouver, the third-largest city in Canada. British Columbia boasts a unique geographical position:

• To the north, it borders Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
• To the east, it borders Alberta.
• To the south, it shares borders with the U.S. states of Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
• To the west, it faces the Pacific Ocean and the southernmost part of Alaska (USA).

The province spans an area of 944,735 km² (364,764 square miles), with a population of 5,531,553 people in 2023, growing to 5,698,430 people in 2024. British Columbia stretches approximately 1,180 km from north to south and has a maximum width of 1,030 km from east to west. The province features diverse terrain, combining a coastline with numerous islands and narrow bays, towering mountain ranges along the western mainland, and vast inland plateaus. Its climate and landscapes are diverse, creating a unique character not easily found in other regions of Canada.

British Columbia is one of the last regions to be explored and settled in North America. It experienced significant development in the second half of the 20th century, rising to become one of Canada’s most important provinces in terms of population, economy, and overall development.

The province covers an area of 944,735 km² (364,764 square miles), with a population of 5,531,553 people in 2023, projected to grow to 5,698,430 people in 2024.

Why Choose to Settle in British Columbia?

British Columbia (B.C) is one of the most attractive destinations for immigration to Canada, offering numerous advantages. Here are some reasons why this province is an ideal choice for immigrants:

• Healthy Living Environment: With modern infrastructure and full amenities, British Columbia offers a high quality of life. However, the cost of living is relatively high and should be carefully considered.
• Quality Healthcare Services: Residents have access to quality healthcare at reasonable costs through the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP).
• Competitive Income Levels: Salaries vary depending on skills and experience, with workers also benefiting from healthcare and dental insurance.
• Multicultural Community: B.C is home to a diverse and open community, with many immigrant groups from around the world.
• Indigenous Culture: Approximately 200,000 Indigenous people live in B.C, contributing to the province’s unique culture with a history spanning over 10,000 years.
• Diverse Job Opportunities: There are various job opportunities across different industries.
• Safety and Security: B.C offers a secure environment, ensuring a safe living space for its residents.

Immigration Programs in British Columbia (BC PNP)

Skilled Worker Immigration Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have a full-time, permanent job offer from an employer in British Columbia in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
• Must be able to perform the job duties outlined in the job offer.
• At least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent) in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
• Language proficiency: Minimum CLB 4 in English or French.
• The wage offered must be in line with the current wage levels for the occupation in British Columbia.
• Must demonstrate the ability to support oneself and any dependents.
  Note: The job offer does not need to be permanent if it is in a priority technology occupation or a NOC 41200 (university lecturer).

Registration and Application Process: The registration process for the British Columbia Skilled Worker Immigration Program is as follows:

• Step 1: Candidates create a profile in the BCPNP Online system.
• Step 2: Each profile is scored based on eligibility criteria and program suitability.
• Step 3: Candidates with a score higher than the draw threshold will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination during the periodic draws.
• Step 4: Candidates have 30 days to submit their application through the BCPNP Online system. If nominated by British Columbia, the candidate can proceed to apply for permanent residency with the federal government of Canada.

You may also explore the Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – another program in Central Canada with attractive skilled worker streams.

Processing Time: The processing time for the British Columbia Skilled Worker Immigration Program is typically around 6 months.

Application Fee: The application fee for the British Columbia Skilled Worker Immigration Program is approximately 1,475 CAD (26,026,228 VND), with an additional 500 CAD (8,978,550 VND) fee for requests for reconsideration.

Express Entry BC Immigration Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three Express Entry programs.
• Must have a valid Express Entry profile number and a valid Job Seeker Validation Code.
• Must demonstrate the ability to live, work, and establish economic stability in British Columbia.
• Must participate in Express Entry BC (EEBC) through two BC PNP streams: Skilled Worker and Health Authority.

Registration and Application Process: The process for applying to the British Columbia Express Entry Immigration Program is as follows:

• Step 1: Candidates must create a valid Express Entry profile according to the requirements set by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada).
• Step 2: Register with the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) for British Columbia to assess factors such as job, education, work location, language proficiency, and wage compared to the provincial labor market.
  Note: Candidates in the International Post-Graduates category and the Health Professionals category may apply directly without needing to register with SIRS.
• Step 3: Candidates will be scored based on various criteria and placed into the appropriate selection group. Those with scores higher than the required threshold will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for provincial nomination during the scheduled draws.
• Step 4: If selected, candidates will receive a nomination from British Columbia through the Express Entry system. Candidates will then have 30 days to complete and submit their application online through B.C PNP Online.

Processing Time: The processing time for the British Columbia Express Entry Immigration Program is typically 2–3 months.

Application Fee: The application fee for the British Columbia Express Entry Immigration Program is approximately 1,150 CAD (20,650,665 VND).

Entrepreneur Immigration Program

Eligibility Criteria

Basic Entrepreneur Immigration:

• Personal net worth of at least 600,000 CAD.
• Business and/or management experience; if lacking business experience, must hold a qualification equivalent to a 2-year college program.
• Minimum language proficiency of CLB 4/NCLC 4 in English or French.
• Must establish a new business or acquire and operate an existing business.
• Minimum investment of 200,000 CAD into the business.
• Must create at least one full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Regional Pilot Entrepreneur Immigration:

• Establish a business that aligns with the community’s priorities for nominations.
• Business and/or management experience.
• Personal net worth of at least 300,000 CAD.
• Minimum investment of 100,000 CAD into the business.
• Create at least one full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Language proficiency of CLB 4.
• Must have or be eligible to obtain legal immigration status in Canada.
• Must be legally admitted into Canada if currently residing there.

Strategic Projects:

• Be a senior employee of a foreign company with the necessary skills and experience to establish and operate a business in British Columbia.
• Be appointed to an executive or senior management position or have specialized knowledge crucial to business operations in B.C.
• Work full-time and long-term at the business in B.C.
• Receive compensation in line with industry and company wage structures.

Application Process
The application process for the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Program is as follows:

For Basic Entrepreneur Immigration:

• Step 1: Complete registration and submit a business plan summary through B.C PNP Online.
• Step 2: Receive points based on criteria, and the highest-scoring candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• Step 3: Candidates have 4 months to finalize their application through B.C PNP Online. An authorized auditing company will verify the personal net worth.
• Step 4: If the application meets requirements, candidates will receive a temporary work permit (2 years) to establish their business in British Columbia.
  • Within 20 months, candidates must complete their business plan.
  • After meeting all requirements, candidates will receive a provincial nomination and can apply for permanent residency.

For Strategic Projects:

• Step 1: Verify the company’s eligibility and key personnel.
• Step 2: Conduct a visit to British Columbia to explore the business environment and contact B.C PNP to discuss the investment plan.
• Step 3: Register and provide details about the company, proposed investment, and qualifications of key personnel.
• Step 4: B.C PNP will review the application, and if approved, the company will receive an Invitation to Apply, which must be completed within 90 days. If accepted, the candidate and key personnel sign an agreement with the province.
• Step 5: Receive a support letter for a work permit application and submit it to IRCC.
• Step 6: After arriving in Canada and fulfilling the agreement, the company submits a final report to B.C PNP. If requirements are met, candidates will receive a provincial nomination and have 180 days to apply for permanent residency with IRCC.

Processing Time

• Registration Points Notification: 6 weeks from the submission of the registration application.
• Decision Notification for Application Submission: 4 months from the submission of the application.

Application Fees

• Registration Fee: Approximately 300 CAD (~5,384,880 VND).
• Application Fee: 3,500 CAD (~62,823,600 VND).
• Key Personnel Application Fee: 1,000 CAD per person (~17,949,600 VND).

You may also consider the Ontario Immigration Program with its diverse PNP and Express Entry pathways.

General Eligibility Requirements for Immigration to British Columbia

To participate in the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), candidates must meet the following conditions:

• Good health.
• No criminal record.
• At least 1–2 years of experience in a field that aligns with the labor market needs in Canada.
• Aged 20 or older.
• Education: Minimum high school graduation (Grade 12).
• Language Proficiency: Minimum IELTS score of 4.5, with basic communication skills in the interview.

Benefits of Settling in British Columbia, Canada

When settling in British Columbia, immigrants can enjoy the following benefits:

• The opportunity to settle with the entire family (spouse and children under 22 years old).
• Children are eligible for free education from elementary school through high school.
• Eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after 3 years of residence.
• Income starting from 30,000 CAD/year or more.
• Access to full healthcare and social security benefits.
• Live in a modern, safe, and friendly environment.
• No requirement for English proficiency certificates to apply for a work visa.
• Fast processing time for applications, usually within 1 year.
• No financial proof required when submitting an application.

Latest Updates on British Columbia Immigration Policies

In 2025, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (B.C PNP) will introduce three new streams for international graduates, including:

• Bachelor’s Stream: For graduates with a Bachelor’s degree from eligible educational institutions. A full-time, open-ended job offer is required.
• Master’s Stream: For graduates with a Master’s degree in any field of study from eligible educational institutions. Graduates must have a full-time job offer for at least one year in a high-skilled occupation.
• Doctoral Stream: For graduates and candidates with a PhD from eligible educational institutions.

Key Points About the New Streams:

• No Occupation or Job Offer Limitations: The new B.C PNP streams are not limited to the list of eligible occupations.
• No Limit on Approved Program List: Graduates from any Bachelor’s program in any field may qualify if they meet the criteria.
• No Competition for ITA (Invitation to Apply): Graduates with different degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) will not directly compete against each other in the selection process.
• Language Proficiency Requirements: Applicants must meet an English proficiency level of CLB 8 or a French proficiency level of NCLC 8.

Frequently Asked Questions about the BC PNP Immigration Program

Which occupations are prioritized for immigration under the British Columbia PNP?

Below is the list of eligible occupations for the BC PNP immigration program:

• Hotel receptionist
• Tour guides and travel agents
• Casino employees
• Outdoor and recreational sports guides
• Hotel managers and attendants
• Bartenders
• Food and beverage servers
• Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support work
• Cleaners
• Specialized cleaning workers
• Gatekeepers, janitors, and heavy-duty cleaners
• Dry cleaning and laundry staff at hotels and resorts
• Other service support occupations in hotels and resorts
• Process control and food and beverage machine operators
• Industrial slaughterers, butchers, poultry processors, and related workers
• Fish and seafood processing plant workers
• Food and beverage testers, sorters, and processors
• Food and beverage processing workers

Eligibility for a Work Permit in British Columbia

If you plan to work temporarily in British Columbia (B.C.), you will need to apply for a work permit. In some cases, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, which does not require a job offer. This is known as an open work permit.

If an open work permit is not available, you will need a job offer from an employer. Before hiring foreign workers, most employers must obtain a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which proves that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is qualified for the job. A positive LMIA is also known as a confirmation letter.

Once the employer obtains a positive LMIA, they can hire you as a temporary foreign worker, and at that point, you can apply for a work permit. Note that the employer is required to pay the fee to apply for the LMIA.

Is a Job Offer Required for the BC PNP?

For the BC PNP Skilled Worker Stream, candidates must have a valid job offer from an employer in the province in TEER 0, A, or B occupations, and at least 2 years of related work experience.

The British Columbia immigration policy has undergone significant updates, creating more opportunities for workers, international students, and those looking to build a new life in Canada. If you have any questions about the British Columbia immigration policies, please contact Phan Immigration today for detailed guidance on each step of the BC PNP program.