The British Columbia PNP Tech Pilot prioritizes processing for highly trained talent with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by the provinces technology employers. Applicants must still meet all the criteria of an existing permanent residency pathway.
The pilot has been extended until June 2020.
Please note that if you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) you only have thirty (30) days to complete the application.
1. ELIGIBLE TECHNOLOGY OCCUPATIONS
Currently, there are 29 eligible key technology occupations in the executive/managerial (Skill Level 0), professional (Skill Level A) and technical (Skill Level B) levels.
| NOC | Skill Level | Job Title |
|---|---|---|
| 0131 | 0 | Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 0213 | 0 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 0512 | 0 | Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 2131 | A | Civil engineers |
| 2132 | A | Mechanical engineers |
| 2133 | A | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 2134 | A | Chemical engineers |
| 2147 | A | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2171 | A | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | A | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | A | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | A | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | A | Web designers and developers |
| 2221 | B | Biological technologists and technicians |
| 2241 | B | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | B | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
| 2243 | B | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 2281 | B | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | B | User support technicians |
| 2283 | B | Information systems testing technicians |
| 5121 | A | Authors and writers |
| 5122 | A | Editors |
| 5125 | A | Translators, terminologists and interpreters |
| 5224 | B | Broadcast technicians |
| 5225 | B | Audio and video recording technicians |
| 5226 | B | Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the |
| 5227 | B | Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts |
| 5241 | B | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 6221 | B | Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade |
2. WORK EXPERIENCE
Generally have 2 years of work experience in the skilled occupation that has been offered to you in the job offer.
This means you have worked at least 30 hours per week for 2 years in the skilled occupation.
| Example | Full Time | Part Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours worked per week* | 30 hrs | 15 hrs | |
| Weeks | 104 | 208 | |
| Total | 3,120 hrs | 3,120 hrs | |
* Any hours over 30 is not eligible; part-time workers can work more or less than 15 hours per week as long as it adds up to 3,120 hours.
The work experience must have been in a managerial (Skill Level 0), professional (Skill Level A) or technical (Skill Level B) job.
You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the National Occupational Classification. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed. Additionally have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation.
Experience obtained in paid co-op work terms is eligible if it was at least 30 hours per week of work and was at a NOC skill level equal or greater to the NOC code of the job offer.
This criteria does not apply if using the International Graduate pathway of BC PNP.
3. EMPLOYMENT OFFER
Have accepted in writing a full-time job offer in an eligible occupation from an eligible B.C. employer.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Job offer (Full-Time) | Job offer must:
|
If you are already employed in one of the eligible occupations by a B.C. employer you must have at least 120 calendar days of employment remaining at the time of your immigration application.
4. PROOF OF FUNDS
You must show that you have sufficient income to support your family's cost of living in the B.C. community where you will reside and work.
| Family Income Threshold by Area of Residence | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number of family members | Greater Vancouver Regional District | Rest of B.C. |
| 1 | $22,804 | $19,006 |
| 2 | $28,390 | $23,659 |
| 3 | $34,902 | $29,087 |
| 4 | $42,376 | $35,316 |
| 5 | $48,062 | $40,054 |
| 6 | $54,205 | $45,175 |
| 7 or more | $60,350 | $50,296 |
5. EDUCATION
Show proof of at least your secondary (high school) education credential whether earned in Canada or in another country.
Having a valid post-secondary education credential improves your selection scoring under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
| Locale | Education |
|---|---|
| Canada |
|
| Foreign |
|
6. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE LEVEL
If your job offer is for a Skill Level 0 or A occupation, you are not required to submit valid language test results though the BC PNP may require valid test results to verify sufficient language proficiency to perform he duties fo the position.
If your job offer is for a Skill Level B occupation, you must submit valid test results for least one of Canada's official languages, English or French, showing you have obtained a minimum score equal to or greater than Benchmark 4 in all four language abilities: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
| First Official Language | Abilities | Minimum level for NOC B Occupations* |
|---|---|---|
| English or French | Speaking | 4 |
| Listening | 4 | |
| Reading | 4 | |
| Writing | 4 |
* If English is First Official Language: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
If French: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC)
Language tests results are valid for two (2) years after the date of the test result.
Your test results must be valid on the day your immigration application is submitted.
7. WHERE YOU CAN LIVE IN CANADA
Plan to live in British Columbia. For you to qualify for a provincial nominee program you must reside in the province that nominates you.
8. ADMISSIBILITY
Be admissible to Canada. You and your family members must not be inadmissible to Canada for security, criminal or medical reasons.
