Immigration to British Columbia

When we think about immigrating to Canada, there are a lot of options in front of us. Among all these options, immigrating to British Columbia might stand out as the most colorful and attractive choice due to its high diversity and promising future.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an economic program managed by the provincial government. This program helps the province of British Columbia meet its labor market needs by utilizing foreign workers, international students, and entrepreneurs.

What makes immigration to British Columbia popular is the variety in immigration programs, the strong economy, and of course, the great weather. Want to learn about the requirements for immigrating to British Columbia, the steps, immigration news, and other information? Then stick with us as we continue this article.

Introducing the province of British Columbia

The province of British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, is the center of cultural diversity and economic growth in Canada. This province is home to Canada’s third-largest city, Vancouver, and is considered one of the most diverse provinces in the entire country.

The economy of British Columbia focuses on the natural resources sector, with an emphasis on forestry and mining. The natural environment of British Columbia, along with its vast forests and unique coastal climate, is recognized as one of the most beautiful places in Canada and indeed the whole world.

Immigration programs in the province of British Columbia

If you’re looking to immigrate to British Columbia, you have three options to choose from:

1. The British Columbia Skills Worker Program – immigration through skills and expertise (Skills Immigration)

2. The British Columbia Express Entry program (BC Express Entry)

3. The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Program – immigration for entrepreneurs (Entrepreneur Immigration)

Note 1

The skills and expertise immigration program is for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates, and also entry-level and semi-skilled workers. All candidates must have a job offer or current job, except for international graduates.

Note 2

The British Columbia Express Entry program is exclusively for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, international graduates, and graduates.

Immigrating to British Columbia: Through Skills and Expertise

The British Columbia Skilled Worker program is divided into the following categories:

1. Skilled Worker Program

British Columbia’s growing economy needs skilled and experienced workers. The Skilled Worker program is a great route for those of you working in specialized, professional, managerial, technical, business, or other jobs to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

Note: Remember that you must have received a job offer to qualify for this program.

How can you qualify for this program?

You need to have a full-time job offer from an employer residing in British Columbia. The job must be in TEER 0 or TEER 1, 2, 3 in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

You should have at least two years of full-time work experience in any job falling under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Demonstrate that you can cover your living expenses and those of your family.

Meet the minimum language requirements for TEER 2, 3 jobs.

Your wage offer must align with the prevailing wage rates in British Columbia.

To use the British Columbia Express Entry option, you need an IRCC Express Entry profile number plus a job validation code, and meet the federal language requirements.

2. Healthcare Professionals Program

If you’re working in the British Columbia healthcare system as a doctor, midwife, or nurse, this category provides a path to permanent residency for you.

The immigration conditions for British Columbia in this category include:

You must have one of the following:

A job offer for a permanent position.

Confirmation that you are a doctor or nurse in British Columbia.

Verification from the medical group in British Columbia for midwives.

Meet other requirements set by the British Columbia provincial immigration program.

Fulfill the educational and qualification requirements specified by public health authorities.

Which websites can I use to find jobs in healthcare?

Provincial Health Services Authority

First Nations Health Authority

Fraser Health

Interior Health

Island Health

Northern Health

Vancouver Coastal Health

Providence Health Care

3. Beginner and Semi-Skilled Workforce Program

If you’re a semi-skilled or beginner worker in fields like tourism, food processing, or long-haul driving, you can qualify for permanent residency in British Columbia through this program.

Requirements for immigration to British Columbia in this category:

You must have a job offer from an employer based in British Columbia in the tourism, healthcare, transportation, or food processing sectors.

Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations.

For the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia, you must be engaged in activities at TEER level 4 or 5.

You should have worked full-time for your employer for at least 9 consecutive months.

Your salary must be in line with the approved wage rates in British Columbia.

You need to meet the minimum language score.

Please note that this program does not have the Express Entry BC option.

4. International Graduates

Have you graduated from a recognized university or college in Canada within the last three years? If so, this category might be a great option for you to obtain permanent residency and migrate to British Columbia.

Let’s take a look at the immigration requirements for British Columbia in this category:

You should have graduated from a recognized university or college in Canada within the last three years.

You need to have a job offer at TEER level 1, 2, or 3 from a British Columbian employer.

Keep in mind that managerial positions classified under NOC TEER 0 are not included in this category.

For NOC TEER 2 and 3 jobs, you must achieve the minimum language score.

5. International Graduate Program for Graduate Studies

Do you have a graduate degree in engineering or basic sciences from a university in British Columbia? If so, you can migrate to British Columbia using the International Graduate program for graduate studies to obtain permanent residency in this province.

Good news: You don’t need a job offer to migrate to British Columbia through this category.

Which graduate degree is acceptable?

You must have graduated in the last three years with a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the qualifying programs in the following fields of natural, applied, or health sciences:

Agriculture and related sciences

Biology and biomedical sciences

Computer science

Engineering sciences

Health professions

Mathematics and statistics

Natural resource conservation

Physics sciences

To qualify in this category, you must have completed your graduate studies in a recognized academic institution in British Columbia in the past three years.

6. British Columbia Tech Immigration Program

Known as BC PNP Tech, this program provides skilled workers in the technology field the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. This program helps employers in British Columbia attract and hire international talent when they cannot find local workers.

British Columbia Express Entry aligned with Federal Express Entry

British Columbia Express Entry aligns with the federal government’s Express Entry immigration system, allowing qualified applicants to gain priority in both the provincial nomination application process and permanent residency application.

If you fall into the following skilled and specialized immigration categories, you can be processed through British Columbia Express Entry:

Skilled worker category

Health care category

International graduate category

International graduate post-graduate category

The application fee for British Columbia Express Entry is CAD 1,150, and the review fee is CAD 500, with a processing time for each application taking between 2-3 months.

What are the requirements for British Columbia Express Entry?

You must have a valid profile in the federal Express Entry system.

You must have a job search validation code from the Express Entry system.

You must have a job offer (except for the international graduate post-graduate category).

The wage offer must meet the B.C. wage rate (except for the international graduate post-graduate category).

You must be able to support yourself and your family (except for the international graduate post-graduate category).

You must meet the minimum language requirements (except for the international graduate post-graduate category).

It needs to meet the specific requirements of its category. The employer must also be eligible (except for the international graduate category). Here’s how it works:

Before starting, you need to have a valid Express Entry profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Then, you must register in SIRS so that B.C. (British Columbia) can examine your job, education, location in British Columbia, language ability, and salary based on the province’s labor market needs. You can register by completing all sections of the BCPNP Online application.

Note: Candidates in the international graduate category and the healthcare professional category do not need to register in SIRS and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

After that, you’ll receive a score based on several factors and enter the selected group of the chosen category. Those who meet specific criteria and score above a certain threshold are invited to apply for provincial nomination in the provincial draw.

Candidates then have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.

If selected, you will receive a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system. You are required to accept the nomination via the Express Entry system.

Immigrating to the province of British Columbia: The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Program

If you want to immigrate to the province of British Columbia by starting a business and being an entrepreneur, the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) program is your best bet. In this section, we’ll cover the requirements and how this category works. So stick with us.

Immigrating through entrepreneurship is a “temporary to permanent” pathway. This means that if you get approved, you’ll first get temporary residence in British Columbia, and then after successfully starting a business, you will receive permanent residence.

Categories of immigration through entrepreneurship in British Columbia:

Base category

Regional pilot category

Strategic projects category

Let’s take a look at these categories:

Basic Category Requirements

You must have a minimum net worth of CAD 600,000.

You should have business management experience. If you don’t have business experience, you need to have a two-year college diploma.

Basic English or French language skills equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.

Business, Employment, and Investment Requirements

You need to create a new business or buy and grow an existing one.

Make a personal investment of at least CAD 200,000 in a business.

Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Application and registration fees for this category:

CAD 300 registration fee

CAD 3,500 application fee

What process should we go through?

Prepare your business proposal.

Submit your proposal to BC PNP.

Obtain a work permit.

Launch your business.

Receive a nomination from the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

And finally, you will be granted permanent residency.

Regional Pilot Category

Through this entrepreneurial immigration program, known as the Regional Pilot, the province of British Columbia paves the way for investors looking to start their own business in a small community. This entrepreneurial program was introduced in March 2019 and will continue until March 31, 2024.

Requirements for this program:

You must create a new business in the target community.

You should have experience in business ownership or management.

Your minimum net worth should be CAD 300,000.

Invest a minimum of CAD 100,000 in this business.

Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Have at least CLB 4 language skills.

Where does the regional pilot take place?

Strategic Projects Category

This immigration program for British Columbia allows foreign companies to transfer their skilled and knowledgeable employees to the province. You can nominate up to 5 of your senior employees for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. You may also apply for provincial nomination for up to five of your current senior employees to support their permanent residency. These employees must have continuous activity in British Columbia.

Is my company eligible?

To be eligible, your company must meet the following criteria:

Be in good financial standing.

Demonstrate that your company is ready to invest and expand its international capacity.

Show that with significant investment, you can have a substantial impact on the economy of British Columbia.

Who qualifies as a senior employee for immigration to British Columbia?

Must have the necessary qualifications and experience to establish and run a business in British Columbia.

Be an executive or senior manager, or have a specialization that is critical for your business in British Columbia.

Must be working full-time and permanently in British Columbia.

Cost of immigration to British Columbia, Canada

Through skills and expertise

Registration:	Free
Application:	CAD 1150
Review request:	CAD 500

Through entrepreneurship

Registration:	CAD 300
Application:	CAD 3500
Review request:	CAD 500

Through the strategic projects category

Registration:	CAD 300
Application:	CAD 3500
Key employees:	CAD 1000
Review request:	CAD 500

Immigration statistics for British Columbia

Interestingly, new data released by Statistics Canada shows that in 2021, immigration to British Columbia reached a record high. Year-end data indicates that net immigration to British Columbia in 2021 reached 69,470, the highest annual figure since 1961.

Study migration to British Columbia

If you’ve chosen to study abroad as your migration path, you should know you’re in good company with the 180,000 students who have picked this province. Yes, studying in British Columbia is one of the most popular ways to move to this province. The reason is clear: a dynamic, high-quality, and advanced education system.

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Frequently asked questions

Is migrating to British Columbia easy?

Immigration to B.C. might be easy for one candidate but tough for another. Therefore, it’s advisable to choose a pathway that fits your specific situation.

Who is eligible for the BC PNP?

The BC PNP is for skilled workers, entry-level and semi-skilled workers, international graduates, and healthcare professionals.

You don’t need an express entry profile to be eligible for migration to British Columbia. However, to qualify for migration, you typically need to have a job offer, unless you’re applying as an international graduate. For this, you must have graduated from a qualified university in B.C.

Additionally, this province has three options for entrepreneurs looking to start a new business or acquire an existing one in B.C.

How can I get permanent residency in British Columbia?

First, you need to identify which immigration stream and category you qualify for. Once you’ve done that, you should register in the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS) so that the British Columbia government can assess your job, education, location in British Columbia, language skills, and salary based on the province’s labor market needs.

You can register by completing all sections of the BCPNP Online application. If you’re applying under the International Graduate stream or the Healthcare Professional category, you don’t need to register with SIRS and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

Then, based on several factors, you’ll receive a registration score and enter your selected category group. Individuals who meet certain criteria and have a score above a certain threshold will be invited to apply for provincial nomination in the provincial lottery.

After that, candidates have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online. If selected, you will receive a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system. You are required to accept the nomination via the Express Entry system.

How can I migrate to British Columbia?

Skills Immigration Program

BC Express Entry Program

Entrepreneur Immigration Program

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Depending on your situation, choose a program that suits you. Make sure you’re eligible for the selected program.

Step 2: Register through the SIRS system if needed.

Step 3: Submit your application through BCPNP Online.

Step 4: Receive your provincial nomination from B.C.

Step 5: Submit your permanent residency application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

How do I register for the BC PNP to migrate to British Columbia?

Applicants must first register through the SIRS system in BC PNP. If you’re applying under the International Graduate category or the Healthcare Professional category, you don’t need to register for SIRS and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

You’ll then receive a registration score and enter the pool. If you meet certain criteria and achieve a score above a specific threshold, you will get an invitation to apply for provincial nomination. You will then have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.

If successful, you will receive a provincial nomination, and then you can apply for permanent residency with the federal government of Canada.

If you received a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system, you will have the option to accept it.

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