Written on December 13, 2024 by Brooke Finlay
Skilled Worker v.s. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker:
Understanding the Difference
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) offers a variety of immigration pathways for individuals looking to live and work in British Columbia permanently.
The program features numerous streams, each with its own set of requirements. BC PNP streams target a variety of applicants including skilled, semi-skilled, or entry-level workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.
As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) with over a decade of experience. I often notice people confusing the work experience requirements of different BC PNP streams. For example, an employer will mention that their supervisor is ready to apply to the BC PNP because they have worked for 9 consecutive months (this is a requirement of the entry level and semi-skilled stream).
This blog will compare the work experience requirements for two popular BC PNP streams: the Skilled Worker stream and the Entry Level and Semi-skilled Worker stream.
BC PNP Streams Overview
The program streams are categorized in two groups: Skills Immigration and Entrepreneur Immigration. Skills Immigration streams are tailored to workers and recent graduates with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by B.C. employers. The Entrepreneur streams are for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to create and actively manage a business in the province.
The program includes streams for:
- Skilled Workers: Professionals with the necessary training and experience for high-demand occupations.
- Semi-Skilled and Entry-Level Workers: Workers in specific high-demand, lower-skilled occupations such as tourism, hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food processing.
- International Graduates: Recent graduates from eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions.
- International Post-Graduates: Graduates with advanced degrees in natural, applied, or health sciences from a BC institution.
- Health Authority: Workers employed by a B.C. health authority in any occupation, at any NOC TEER level.
- Entrepreneurs: Experienced entrepreneurs ready to invest in and actively manage a business in BC.
The International Graduate and Postgraduate streams will be updated in January 2025. Three new streams will be introduced: 1) Bachelor’s stream; 2) Master’s stream, and; 3) Doctorate stream. Always check the BC PNP news and guides for the most updated information.
Skilled Worker Stream: Work Experience Requirements
To qualify as a Skilled Worker under the BC PNP, you must meet the following work experience criteria:
- Duration: You need at least 2 years of full-time skilled work experience within the 10 years before you apply.
- Location: This experience can be obtained inside or outside of Canada. You can also combine both Canadian and international experience.
- Definition of Full-Time: Full-time is defined as 30 hours per week or more. Part-time work can be considered if it accumulates to the equivalent of 2 years of full-time experience.
- Occupation: Any work experience in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations in the past 10 years is eligible.
The work experience does not have to be directly related to the job offered by your BC employer. However, directly related work experience will earn you more points in the BC PNP registration scoring system, increasing your chances of being invited to apply.
Check out our other blog post about how points are awarded in the registration system.
Entry Level and Semi-skilled Stream: Work Experience Requirements
The Entry Level and Semi-skilled Worker stream targets applicants in specific high-demand, NOC TEER 4 and 5 occupations in the tourism, hospitality and food processing sectors. If you’re working in the Northeast Development Region of the province, you may qualify if you’re working in any NOC TEER 4 and 5 occupation except live-in caregivers.
The work experience requirements for this program are as follows:
- Duration: You need at least 9 months of full-time consecutive work experience in an ELSS-eligible occupation (unless you’re in the Northeast Development Region).
The work experience must be accumulated immediately prior to registering with the BC PNP (i.e. there cannot be a break between your period of eligible work experience and completing your BC PNP registration)
- Employer: Your experience must be with the BC employer who has made you the job offer. Your employer must meet the BC PNP requirements.
- Definition of Full-Time: Full-time is defined as an average of 30 hours per week over the nine-month period.
- Occupations: Your work experience can be in different ELSS-eligible occupations, as long as the work is for the same employer. However, the job offer itself must be for a single occupation.
- Continuity: You must continue working for the BC employer during the application process. If your work permit expires after you register but before you are invited to apply, you can still apply as long as you maintain valid temporary resident status and the job offer remains valid. In this case, your employer must show ongoing recruitment for the vacant position.
Case Studies:
Here are examples I’ve witnessed during my practice that exemplify the importance of understanding the difference between the work experience requirements of both streams:
1. Skilled worker refused for applying in the ELSS stream:
An administrative assistant (NOC TEER 3) worked full-time for 9 consecutive months then registered in the ELSS stream.
Despite using the skilled NOC code associated with Administrative Assistant, the BC PNP registration system allowed them to register in the wrong stream and invited them to apply in the ELSS stream.
The immigration officer evaluating their application noticed they applied in the wrong stream and refused their application. The applicant became our client after they were refused to help fix the situation.
2. ELSS worker refused for not maintaining employment in an ELSS occupation:
An ELSS worker accumulated 9 months, consecutive, full-time work experience and registered in the ELSS stream. They were promoted to a skilled occupation before their application was submitted. The immigration officer requested copies of paystubs and identified that the applicant hadn’t continued to work full-time in an eligible ELSS-occupation and refused the application.
TL;DR
BC PNP has multiple streams. Each stream has a different set of requirements, including the type of work experience needed to qualify for the stream. It’s important to be aware of the differences and understand which stream is suitable based on your work experience so you can register and apply to the correct stream.
Curious about BC PNP in General?
Check out our article "British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Explained"
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