Provincial Nominee Program – British Columbia
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) allows British Columbia to select qualified skilled workers and experienced business people who have the ability and the desire to immigrate and become economically established in British Columbia. Applicants who are nominated by the Province of British Columbia are eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa and CIC gives priority to processing of their application.
The BC PNP has two components:
The BC PNP has two components:
BC PNP - Strategic Occupations
The most important requirement of this component is to have a permanent, full-time job offer in a skilled or semi-skilled occupation from a British Columbia employer. The employer must be well established and financially sound, must have at least five paid employees, and must also have been operating in BC for at least one year.
The candidate must be able to become economically established in BC (this will be assessed according to the offered job and candidate’s income, number of candidate’s dependants, language skills and adaptability). Refugee claimants or individuals who do not have legal status in Canada are not eligible to apply under this component.
There are four categories under the strategic occupations component of the BC PNP:
Skilled workers
Applications in this category are limited to occupations in levels 0, A, and B of NOC. So, managers, professionals, technologists and technicians, and skilled trades may qualify under this category.
Health professionals
Applications in this category are limited to registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, physicians, and midwives who meet the requirements of BC PNP.
International graduates
Recent graduates of a recognized British Columbia post-secondary institution who have completed their study before accepting a job offer may qualify under this category. Their degree must be in one the following fields:
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Natural sciences, applied sciences or engineering
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Health sciences
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Computer science, information systems or digital media
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Business or commerce
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Tourism, recreation and hospitality
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Transportation and logistics
Note that the BC PNP may accept degrees in other fields of study at its discretion.
Semi-skilled workers
This is a 2-year pilot project that applies to select occupation in the Tourism/Hospitality, Food processing, and Long-Haul Trucking industries.
BC PNP - Business Immigrants
The business component of the BC PNP allows British Columbia to select and nominate for Canadian permanent resident status qualified business people who have the intent and ability to move to British Columbia and develop or purchase a business in British Columbia that will economically benefit the province.
There are three categories under this component:
The business component of the BC PNP allows British Columbia to select and nominate for Canadian permanent resident status qualified business people who have the intent and ability to move to British Columbia and develop or purchase a business in British Columbia that will economically benefit the province.
There are three categories under this component:
Business Skills
To qualify under this category interested applicants must:
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Have a net worth of at least C$800,000 that was lawfully obtained;
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Have a feasible and viable business plan;
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Make an investment of C$400,000 to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business in British Columbia (applicant must control at least 1/3 of the equity of the business, must create a minimum of 3 new jobs in the business, and must provide active and on-going management of the business);
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Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia;
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Make a refundable C$125,000 deposit with the Province of British Columbia if applicant is pursuing the Fast Track option which offers immediate nomination for permanent residence (the deposit will be refunded when applicant me the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement.
Regional Business
To qualify under this category interested applicants must:
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Have a net worth of at least C$400,000 that was lawfully obtained
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Have skills and experience necessary to set up a viable business in B.C.
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Make an investment of C$200,000 to establish or to purchase and expand an eligible business in British Columbia (the business must be outside of the Vancouver and the Abbotsford metropolitan areas, applicant must own at least 1/3 of the equity of the business, must create a minimum of 3 new jobs in the business, and must provide active and on-going management of the business).
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Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
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Make a refundable C$125,000 deposit with the Province of British Columbia if applicant is pursuing the Fast Track option which offers immediate nomination for permanent residence (the deposit will be refunded when applicant me the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement).
Strategic Projects
Foreign companies that are willing to establish an eligible business in B.C. can use this category to bring up to 5 foreign key managerial, professional or technical staff and nominate them for Canada permanent residence. The nominee applicants must be qualified senior personnel who are essential to establishing or operating of the business in B.C. To qualify under this category interested companies must:
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Demonstrate a record of good business practices that are relevant to the proposed business.
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Make an equity investment of at least C$500,000 and set up or purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in B.C.
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Create a minimum of three jobs for Canadians or permanent residents in B.C. for each nominee applicant put forward by the company.
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Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
For more information about the British Columbia Provincial Nominee program and to know how to apply under this program, you can contact us.
British Columbia at a glance
British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada and with the area land of 944,735 sq. km is the fifth-largest province/territory of Canada. It has a population of around 4.5 million and its largest city, Vancouver, is the third largest city in Canada. People are attracted to the province by its beauty, mild climate and outdoor lifestyle. The capital city, Victoria, is located on Vancouver Island and is a tourist centre for Vancouver Island. Victoria has the best climate of all Canada’s cities, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, and this pleasant weather attracts a lot of tourists to visit and many retirees to live there.
British Columbia’s economy is a resource dominant economy, centred on the forestry, but it has been expanded during last couple of decades and energy, filming, fishing, information technology, lumber, mining, retirees, technology, defence, retail, and tourism are also significant to the economy.
British Columbia’s economy is a resource dominant economy, centred on the forestry, but it has been expanded during last couple of decades and energy, filming, fishing, information technology, lumber, mining, retirees, technology, defence, retail, and tourism are also significant to the economy.
| Capital city |
Victoria |
|
Area (sq. km) |
944,735 |
| Population | Over 4.5 million (2009 estimate) |
| Official language | English |
| Largest city | Vancouver |
| Flag and map |   |
| Entered Confederation | July 20, 1871 |
| Party in power | Liberal party |
| Sales Tax | 7% |
| Natural resources | Forestry, fishery, oil, natural gas, copper, coal, gold, silver, zinc, sulphur, and asbestos |
| Industry |
Energy, forestry, manufacturing, filming, fishing, information technology, lumber, mining, retirees, food processing, technology, defence, retail, and tourism |
| Agriculture | Dairy farming, cattle-ranching, poultry-raising, and the growing of grain, tree fruits, vegetables, berries, grapes, greenhouse vegetables, mushrooms, and ornamental flowers |
| Climate | British Columbia is well known for its temperate climate - the finest and warmest weather in |
| Website |
Learn more:
FAQs – PNP - British Columbia
Links and resources
Links and resources
Photo gallery - British Columbia
