Written on September 27, 2024 by Brooke Finlay
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a popular pathway for skilled, entry level and semi-skilled workers, entrepreneurs and international graduates to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
As an expert Canadian immigration consultant with over 10 years of experience specializing in the BC PNP, I will guide you through the details of the BC PNP ranking system to help you understand how to maximize your chances of being invited to apply to the BC PNP.
Applying to the BC PNP
Applications to the BC PNP are accepted by invitation only,
except for certain streams like healthcare. This means, in addition to meeting
the program criteria, you must register and be invited to apply before you can
submit your application. Check out our blog “British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Explained” to understand the BC PNP process.
Invitations to apply are issued in rounds. Each time a round
of invitation is held, the BC PNP will publish the results on their website. There
are different rounds held for different program streams, as well as category
specific rounds for individuals with a job offer in priority sectors that
support the BC PNP’s strategic initiatives, like childcare and healthcare.
The BC PNP does not announce the lowest score required to be
invited to apply in advance of future rounds of invitation. We assess somebody’s
likelihood of being invited to apply based on analyzing the previous rounds of
invitation and drawing insights from trends.
Recent BC PNP Invitation Trends
Recent data from the BC PNP shows the following average scores needed to receive an invitation to apply across different categories in 2024:
- Skilled Worker and International Graduate (inc. EEBC) : Minimum scores between 120-134
- Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled: Minimum scores between 97-110
- Tech Pilot: Minimum scores between 103-122
- Healthcare: Minimum scores between 60-106
- Childcare: Minimum scores between 60-97
- Construction: Minimum scores between 75-98
- Veterinary Care: Minimum scores between 60-85
BC PNP Registration Scoring Factors
The BC PNP registration system awards points based on the following factors:
- Directly Related Work Experience
- Highest Level of Education
- Language Proficiency
- Hourly Wage of the Job Offer
- Location of Work
It’s important to thoroughly understand each factor to identify how you can maximize your points and take steps to increase your score.
Next, we’ll deep dive into each of the registration scoring factors, provide examples and share tips from over a decade of experience.
Directly Related Work Experience
Directly related work experience is defined as paid employment classified under the same NOC code as the job offer from your eligible BC employer. In some cases, experience in a related occupation at the same or higher NOC TEER will be accepted if you can demonstrate how it is directly related.
You will receive extra points if you have at least one year of directly related work experience in Canada and if you are currently working full-time for your B.C. employer in the same occupation as listed on your job offer.
Case Study:
We successfully helped a client gain recognition for work experience in a NOC TEER different than the one in the job offer letter from his B.C. employer. Our client had work experience as a carpenter foreman (NOC 72013, TEER 2), where they were responsible for workforce management, including training, scheduling, performance management, and dealing with escalated customer complaints. Our client received a job offer from a B.C. employer as a restaurant manager (NOC 62020, TEER 2). We successfully argued that the occupations were directly related because both roles involved similar responsibilities, such as scheduling, training, and performance management.
Language Proficiency
Points are awarded for completing a recognized English or French language test, even if it isn’t a requirement of your BC PNP stream.
Achieving Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 9 or higher in each of the four testing areas results in the most points.
Additional points are awarded if you complete both an English and a French test, scoring at least CLB 4 or higher in each competency. Language test results are valid for two years.
Highest Level of Education
You will receive points for your highest level of education. This includes education completed inside or outside Canada. The duration of your studies must exceed six months, and you must have successfully completed the education. English or French as a second language programs are not counted. You do not need an educational credential assessment (ECA) if your studies were completed outside Canada, nor does having an ECA increase your BC PNP registration score (like it did in the past).
Additional points are awarded if you completed your education in Canada, with more points given for education completed in BC. Extra points are also awarded to those with an eligible professional designation in BC, such as dental assistants, early childhood educators, pharmacy technicians, and practical nurses.
Hourly Wage
Points are awarded based on the hourly wage of the job offer, not the annual wage. No points are awarded for job offers at an hourly wage under $16. The maximum points are given for job offers with a wage of $70 per hour and above.
Be cautious about inflating wages to increase your registration score, even if your employer agrees. The BC PNP will verify wage data (such as that posted on WorkBC and Job Bank) and require justification if the wage appears unusually high for the occupation and location of work. Your employer should be able to demonstrate the wage offered is consistent with the company’s overall compensation structure.
Location of Employment
Points for the location of work within BC are awarded as follows:
- 0 Points: Metro Vancouver
- 5 Points: Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission, Chilliwack
- 15 Points: Locations outside the areas mentioned above
Additional points are awarded if you have at least 1 year of work experience outside Metro Vancouver (full-time or part-time equivalent) within the five years before you complete your registration.
Additional points are also awarded if you graduated from a public BC post-secondary institution outside Metro Vancouver within three years of completing your BC PNP registration. Eligible studies must be at least eight months full-time equivalent coursework, excluding co-op, practicums, internships. English or French as a second language programs are ineligible.
TL;DR
The BC PNP ranking system is a comprehensive tool used to determine which candidates are invited to apply. By understanding and optimizing these factors, you can make informed decisions that will increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply and, ultimately, becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
Curious about other immigration pathways?
Check out our article "Expert Strategies from Navio Immigration Consultants You Need to Know to Successfully Immigrate to Canada"!
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