British Columbia PNP Draw: August 7, 2024

On August 7, 2024, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its latest draw, issuing 145 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. This draw featured both general and targeted invitations, showcasing the province’s strategic approach to addressing specific labour market needs.

The BC PNP continues to prioritize sectors facing critical shortages, with this draw focusing on attracting professionals in childcare, construction, and healthcare. These sectors are essential to supporting British Columbia’s economic growth, and the targeted draws help fulfil specific labour demands.

Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option)

1. Childcare

Workers with a job offer in the following occupation may benefit from targeted invitations to apply: 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants

Occupations listed here are not the only ones eligible for the BC PNP.  Priority occupations may receive a targeted invitation once a registration is submitted.

1. Construction

• Workers in the construction sector must meet the following requirements to benefit from targeted invitations to apply:
• The job offer must be for an indeterminate, full-time job in one of the priority construction occupations
• Must have a valid trade certificate issued by, or an apprenticeship registered with Skilled Trades BC
• The trade certificate must correspond with the job being offered
• Priority construction occupations:

22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists

72102 Sheet metal workers

72103 Boilermakers

72104 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

72105 Ironworkers

72106 Welders and related machine operators

72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)

72201 Industrial electricians

72300 Plumbers

72301 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

72302 Gas fitters

72310 Carpenters

72311 Cabinetmakers

72320 Bricklayers

72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

72500 Crane operators

73100 Concrete finishers

73101 Tile setters

73102 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers

73110 Roofers and shingles

73111 Glaziers

73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

73113 Floor covering installers

Occupations listed here are not the only ones eligible for the BC PNP.  Priority occupations may receive a targeted invitation once a registration is submitted.

• Healthcare
• Workers who are direct employees of a provincial health authority or who are physicians, nurse practitioners, or midwives with the support of a provincial health authority can apply directly to the Health Authority stream.
• Workers who are not employed by a health authority (and so must register in another stream) and who have a job offer in one of the following occupations may benefit from targeted invitations to apply.
• Priority healthcare occupations:

30010 Managers in health care

31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine

31101 Specialists in surgery

31102 General practitioners and family physicians

31110 Dentists

31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists

31120 Pharmacists

31121 Dietitians and nutritionists

31200 Psychologists

31201 Chiropractors

31202 Physiotherapists

31203 Occupational therapists

31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment

31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating

31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors

31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

31302 Nurse practitioners

31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals

32101 Licensed practical nurses

32102 Paramedical occupations

32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

32110 Denturists

32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists

32112 Dental technologists and technicians

32120 Medical laboratory technologists

32121 Medical radiation technologists

32122 Medical sonographers

32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

32124 Pharmacy technicians

32129 Other medical technologists and technicians

32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists

33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants

33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations

33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

41300 Social workers

41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies

42201 Social and community service workers

*For the purposes of the BC PNP, only health care assistants / health care aides are eligible under NOC 33102.

Occupations listed here are not the only ones eligible for the BC PNP.  Priority occupations may receive a targeted invitation once a registration is submitted.

1. Veterinary Care

• Workers with job offers in one of the following occupations may benefit from targeted invitations to apply.
• Priority veterinary care occupations:

31103 Veterinarians

32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

Occupations listed here are not the only ones eligible for the BC PNP.  Priority occupations may receive a targeted invitation once a registration is submitted.

Criteria for Targeted Invitations

Targeted invitations within the Skills Immigration streams may be based on one or more of the following factors:

• Education: Level and field of education, and where it was completed.
• Eligible Professional Designations: Recognized in British Columbia.
• Language Skills: Proficiency in English or French.
• Occupation: Alignment with in-demand jobs in the province.
• Work Experience: Duration and skill level.
• Job Offer: Wage and/or skill level associated with the job offer.
• Intent: Commitment to live, work, and settle in a specific region of B.C.
• Strategic Priorities: Factors addressing specific labor market needs or supporting government pilot projects and initiatives.

Trends and Insights

The draw reflects BC’s commitment to addressing labor shortages through targeted immigration strategies while maintaining a competitive selection process for skilled workers and graduates. The Skilled Worker Stream saw a minimum score of 132, indicating a competitive environment. The issuance of 145 invitations, though slightly lower than in some previous draws, may suggest a tightening of selection criteria or a shift in the province’s immigration strategy to emphasize quality over quantity.

Pathways and Streams

The BC PNP remains a vital pathway for aspiring immigrants, offering a structured process for obtaining permanent residency. Candidates in this draw came from various streams, including:

• Skilled Workers: Individuals with relevant work experience and qualifications.
• International Graduates: Graduates from recognized Canadian post-secondary institutions.
• Entrepreneurs: Individuals aiming to invest in and establish a business in British Columbia.

Procedure and Process

The BC PNP uses a points-based system to evaluate candidates, considering factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, adaptability, and spousal sponsorship. The highest-scoring candidates are prioritized for invitations. BC PNP draws are typically held bi-weekly without prior notice, requiring candidates to be prepared at all times.

Key Steps in the BC PNP Process:

1. Profile Creation and Registration: Candidates create an online profile, providing detailed information about their work experience, education, and language proficiency.
2. Scoring System: Candidates are assessed using the BC PNP points calculator, with the highest-scoring candidates prioritized for invitations.
3. Draws: Draws occur approximately every two weeks, with invitations issued to those who meet or exceed the minimum score requirements for their respective streams.
4. Application Submission: Invited candidates must submit their applications within the specified timeframe. If nominated, they can then apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The next draw is anticipated on August 14, 2024, reinforcing the province’s commitment to regular immigration draws. In 2023, the BC PNP invited over 10,000 candidates, a trend expected to continue in 2024.

British Columbia draw history for the year of 2024

Skilled Immigration Draw

Entrepreneur Immigration Draw