British Columbia has now invited close to 6,000 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination this year.

British Columbia invited 302 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence in a draw held August 18.

Invitations issued in this draw went to candidates registered in the Skilled Workers and International Graduates categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)’s Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC  (EEBC) streams. Candidates in the Skills Immigration: Entry level and Semi-skilled Workers category were also invited.

The BC PNP Express Entry categories are open to candidates with a profile in the federal Express Entry system. The federal system manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada’s main economic immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

The SI category is for skilled and semi-skilled workers whose occupations are in high demand in the province of B.C.

The minimum score requirements in today’s draw ranged between 76 and 98 for the five EEBC and SI categories that were involved.

The minimum scores were distributed as follows:

• SI – Skilled Worker: 96
• SI – International Graduate: 98
• SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 76
• EEBC – Skilled Worker: 96
• EEBC – International Graduate: 98

In order to receive an invitation through the EEBC candidates must be registered under both the federal Express Entry system and B.C.’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Express Entry is the federal government’s application management system. Express Entry candidates are given points based on human capital factors such as age, work experience, education, and language proficiency in English or French.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

B.C held three draws so far in August, including a Tech draw held August 11.

Tech Pilot draws are held weekly and candidates are also awarded a score based on factors such as education, work experience and language proficiency as part of the registration process.

Created in 2017, the Tech Pilot addresses labour demands in British Columbia’s tech sector that cannot be met locally. Its goal is to ensure B.C.’s tech sector has access to the talent it needs to continue growing.

Tech Pilot candidates are exempt from the permanent, full-time job offer requirement that applies to most immigration categories under the BC PNP. However,  they must demonstrate a job offer that is at least one year in duration and has at least 120 calendar days remaining at the time they apply for a provincial nomination.

British Columbia announced recently that the Tech Pilot will be extended until June 2021.