Immigrate to British Columbia via the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Become a Permanent Resident of Canada

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are one of the most popular pathways to permanent residence in Canada. The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) facilitates immigration for a variety of eligible skilled workers, entrepreneurs and students, and it could be your route to establishing a new life in British Columbia. 

About the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

The province of British Columbia is a major hub of economic activity and cultural diversity in Canada. Located on the Western coast of Canada, British Columbia is home to the country’s third largest city – Vancouver – and renowned for its stunning natural beauty. With Pacific Ocean views, impressive mountain ranges and lush forests, it comes as no surprise that British Columbia is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Through the BC PNP, people with relevant skills and experience can qualify for certificates that allow them to apply for permanent residence. This process involves registering for the BC PNP followed by a paper application process for permanent residency. The BC PNP usually has faster processing times than other immigration programs. 

This program accepts applications from prospective immigrants under two main BC PNP streams, which are divides into various subcategories:

• Skills Immigration Categories
  • Skilled Workers
  • International Graduates
  • Healthcare Workers
  • Semi-Skilled Workers
• Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
  • Experienced Entrepreneurs

Express Entry BC streams are often the fastest route for skilled workers to immigrate to BC, however, which means, successful applicants also qualify for a federal economic immigration program, which uses a points-based invitation system, for both the BC PNP and permanent residency process through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, if an applicant is ineligible for Express Entry, they can still apply for a BC PNP Nomination and submit a paper-based application for Permanent Residency. 

Working While Waiting to Become a Permanent Resident

One of the main advantages of the BC PNP Program, is the option to work in BC while your application for Permanent Residency is being processed. This is due to the fact that most of the PNP categories require a pre-arranged job offer from a BC employer. To facilitate the employer’s needs, the BC government will issue a letter of support for the applicant to apply for a work permit right away, even before they have applied for Permanent Residence. 

If you believe that the BC Provincial Nominee Program is right for you, book a discovery call with a Tudor House Immigration Consultant to learn more.