BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM (BCPNP) VISA

The Canadian British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program visa provides an exciting opportunity for qualified skilled workers, experienced entrepreneurs, and international graduates to settle in scenic BC and become permanent residents of Canada. Individuals who demonstrate an ability to contribute to both BC’s community and economy are selected and nominated by the province as potential immigrants. Provincial nominees who apply for permanent residence also enjoy accelerated processing by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

The Strategic Occupations component is designed specifically for British Columbia’s employers who wish to recruit or retain qualified foreign labor. The following categories exist within this component:

• Express Entry Stream includes professionals, managers, technicians, and skilled tradespersons;
• Designated Health Professionals include registered nurses, physicians, psychiatric nurses, and midwives;
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Pilot Project accommodates those in the hospitality, tourism, food processing, and transport industries.

To be eligible for nomination under the Strategic Operations component of BC’s Provincial Nominee Program, the candidate must have accepted a permanent, full-time offer of genuine employment in a skilled occupation from an employer in British Columbia. A skilled occupation normally requires the candidate to have obtained a formal qualification and several years of related work experience.

Candidates who are nominated under British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program can immediately apply for a Canadian work permit and are eligible to submit an application for permanent residence to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. An applicant’s spouse and any dependent children are also eligible to immigrate provided they meet the Canadian immigration requirements.

Canada’s permanent residents are entitled to live, work and study in Canada on a permanent basis. Additional benefits of Canadian permanent residence include access to government-subsidized education and state-of-the-art healthcare (Medicare), as well as unrestricted access to Canada’s labor market and its associated insurance and pension benefits. Permanent residents also have the ability to apply for Canadian citizenship and the opportunity to sponsor family members to join them in Canada.