Written on December 2, 2024 by Brooke Finlay
Expert Tips from a Canadian Immigration Consultant
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) continues to increase in popularity, especially while the lowest scored required to be invited to apply for permanent residence in the Express Entry system remains high. As a result, the minimum score needed to get an invitation to apply to the BC PNP has also increased significantly.
I often consult with clients who, had they known certain details about the BC PNP ranking system earlier, could have made different decisions that would have been more advantageous to reaching their Canadian immigration goals. These individuals are often forced to go to great lengths to apply for a new work permit before they get invited to apply to the BC PNP.
In this blog, I share some of the most valuable tips and strategies you need to know as soon as possible to maximize your chance of getting an invitation to apply to the BC PNP.
Understanding the BCPNP
The BCPNP is a two-step immigration process that allows the province of British Columbia to nominate individuals for permanent residency in Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes the final decision about who becomes a permanent residence.
If BC PNP is completely new to you, we recommend reading “British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Explained” first.
The Two-Step Process:
- Provincial Nomination: Apply to the BCPNP through one of its streams. Applications are accepted by invitation only, which means you must first register and then wait to be invited based on your registration score.
- Federal Application: After being approved by the BC PNP (known as a provincial nomination), apply to the federal government for permanent residency.
Timeline and Process Overview
Here’s a general timeline of the BCPNP process:
- Registration: Complete your BC PNP registration. There is no fee for registration. It’s important to understand that registering is not the same as applying. You can only apply once you’ve been invited.
- Invitation to Apply: If your registration score is high enough, you will receive an invitation to apply. It’s beneficial to gather your documents before you’re invited to apply.
- Submit Application: Submit a complete application with all required documents. You have 30 days from the time you’re invited to complete and submit your application.
- Nomination: If approved, you receive a provincial nomination certificate. You will also receive a work permit support letter that enables you and your family members to apply for temporary residence in Canada (i.e. work and study permits).
- Permanent Residency Application: Apply to IRCC for permanent residency. This application includes your spouse, common-law partner and dependent children under 22 years old. Children who were under 22 at the time you submitted your BC PNP application, but who turned 22 or more before you apply to IRCC may still be included in your PR application based on the cut-off age for dependent children in the provincial nominee class.
BC PNP Streams
The BCPNP offers several streams, each targeting different types of applicants. Refer to our other blog “A Deep Dive into the BC PNP Ranking System” to understand the different streams.
Breakdown of the BCPNP Scoring Factors
Points are awarded in the BC PNP Registration Scoring System for the following factors:
- Wage: Points are awarded for the hourly wage rate of the job offer from your BC employer.
- Directly Related Work Experience: More points for directly related work experience.
- Language Proficiency: High scores in language tests for English and French.
- Education: Higher levels of education earn more points.
- Job location: Securing a job offer outside Vancouver will increase your score.
- Adaptability: Points are awarded for previous work or study in BC, but outside Vancouver.
Tips to Increase Your BCPNP Rank
1.Evaluate your eligibility and success rate for multiple streams
It’s possible you might qualify in more than 1 stream (Skilled Worker v.s. EEBC Skilled Worker) or could become eligible for another stream. Evaluate your eligibility for multiple streams and identify where you have the highest chance of success.
For instance, I had a client who qualified as a skilled worker. However, they were more likely to be invited to apply to the Entry Level and Semi-skilled (ELSS) stream. As a result, they strategically chose to take a demotion, accumulate experience as an ELSS worker and apply to the ELSS stream.
2. Maximize Your Language Test Scores
English or French language proficiency plays a significant role in your BCPNP registration score. Exceeding the minimum language test scores required to qualify will increase your BC PNP registration score. Additionally, even if you’re not required to provide a language test (for example, you have a job offer in NOC TEER 0 or 1), completing one will still enhance your score.
Aim to score Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 9 or higher in all four language proficiencies on an official language test. You should also consider completing a recognized language test in the second official language (English or French) because BCPNP rewards candidates with proficiency in both languages. Achieving a CLB 4 or higher in all 4 competencies on the second test can substantially boost your registration score.
3. Secure a Relevant Job Offer
Securing a job offer from an eligible BC employer that is directly related to your past experience can significantly improve your registration score. The BCPNP awards more points for job offers that match your previous work experience, whether gained inside or outside of Canada. Review our other blog on what constitutes “directly related” experience for detailed insights.
4. Look for Job Opportunities Outside of Vancouver
The BCPNP encourages settlement in areas outside of Vancouver by awarding additional points for job offers in rural regions. No points are given for job offers in Vancouver, so exploring opportunities in more remote areas can give you a competitive edge. Furthermore, accumulating work experience or studying in these regions prior to registering can further increase your BCPNP rank.
5. Gain Additional Work Experience: Accumulating more work experience directly related to the job you’re offered in B.C. will increase your rank. You will be awarded the most points if you have 5 or more years of directly related work experience, including 1 year in Canada, and you’re currently working for the employer who’s made you the job offer.
6. Further Education: Consider pursuing additional certifications or degrees. Bonus points for qualifications completed in Canada and extra bonus points for credentials completed in B.C. at a public post-secondary institution. Here’s a breakdown of the points for education:
|
Education
|
Points
|
|---|---|
|
Doctoral Degree
|
27
|
|
Master’s Degree
|
22
|
|
Post-Graduate Certificate or Diploma
|
15
|
|
Bachelor’s Degree
|
15
|
|
Associate Degree
|
5
|
|
Post-secondary Diploma/Certificate (Trades or Non-Trades)
|
5
|
|
Secondary School (High School) or Less
|
0
|
Common Mistake to Avoid
Apply in the Correct Stream
This might seem like a silly suggestion, but it’s essential to apply to the correct BCPNP stream. The registration system allows you to create a registration in any stream, even if you don’t qualify. A human being doesn’t look at your file until after you’ve been invited and apply. Your application will be refused if you applied to the wrong stream.
TL;DR
Meeting the BC PNP eligibility criteria is not enough to be successful. Strategic planning and careful consideration of your BC PNP registration score is essential to ensure you have the best chance of being invited to apply.
Additional Official Resources
FAQs
Eligibility criteria vary by stream. Generally, they include having a valid job offer, meeting language proficiency requirements, and having relevant work experience.
Typically, processing time was consistently 2-3 months. However, the processing time as of December 2024 is approximately 7 months. It’s expected that it will return to the normal processing timeframe in early 2025.
Most streams require a valid job offer, but some categories, like the International Post-Graduate and Entrepreneur streams, do not.
Curious about BC PNP Basics?
Check out our article "British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Explained"
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