IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The province of British Columbia has launched a new points-based provincial nomination program for its Skills Immigration Registration System. The program assigns scores to candidates based on economic and human capital factors.

What does the change mean? The system prioritizes foreign job candidates based on skills and wage levels as well as language, work experience and education. Those with the highest scores will be invited to apply for a provincial nomination.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Permanent residency through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
  • Who is affected: Employers in British Columbia seeking to sponsor foreign workers in any of the categories within the Skills Immigration Category and international students with a post-graduate degree from an eligible educational institution in British Columbia.
  • Impact on processing times: The provincial government will periodically issue invitations to apply to candidates with the highest scores. An invitation does not guarantee a provincial nomination, but those invited must submit an application within 30 days. Those who are nominated may then apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
  • Business impact: The intake system provides more transparency and will attract skilled immigrants to British Columbia to meet high-demand economic needs in the province.
  • Next steps: Candidates may register their online profile with BC PNP online.

Background: The British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration Category comprises several routes, including Skilled Worker, Health Care Professional, International Graduate, International Post-Graduate, Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled, and Northeast Pilot Project.

Under the new points-based intake system, Skills Immigration candidates will register an online profile that is valid for one year. Candidates will be scored and ranked on a 200-point scale for skill level of the job offer (60), salary of the job offer (50), regional district of the job (10), directly related work experience (25), highest level of education (25), and language level (30). The number of points for each factor are further detailed in the program guide.

Those receiving the following points in their category will be issued an invitation to apply for a nomination, although candidates with fewer points may be invited to apply depending on demand and the quota available.

BC PNP Category Score
Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 135
Skills Immigration – International Graduate 105
Skills Immigration – Entry-Level Semi Skilled 95
Skills Immigration – Northeast Pilot 95
Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker 135
Express Entry BC – International Graduate 105

The provincial Express Entry BC category was introduced in 2015. Beginning in 2016, applicants under the Skills Immigration category are no longer able to convert an existing application to an Express Entry BC category.

BAL Analysis: The BC PNP points-based system mirrors the federal Express Entry system and enables the province to prioritize candidates and select top scorers for provincial nominations. The 2015 quota for the BC PNP was 5,800. The 2016 quotas have not been set by the federal government yet.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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