Skilled tech professionals can immigrate to Canada through BC PNP Tech Pilot.
The technology sector is one of the main drivers of economic growth in British Columbia, and the employment rate in this industry is at its highest.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot was created in 2017 and extended until June 2019 to attract skilled specialists and meet the demand for technology professionals in British Columbia.
Requirements
BC PNP Tech Pilot is one of the BC Immigrant Nominee Program (BCINP) pathways. A successful applicant gets a nomination from the province. To get a nomination, you need first to get an invitation to apply.
BC PNP sends weekly invitations to applicants who have:
- A one-year full-time job offer
- The job offer that has at least 120 days remaining at the time of application
- The occupation that is on the list of 29 key technology occupations
Categories and Occupations of Applicants
Only professionals in these 29 occupations have the right to apply under BC PNP Tech Pilot:
NOC Occupation
0131 Telecommunication carriers managers
0213 Computer and information systems managers
0512 Managers — publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
2131 Civil engineers
2132 Mechanical engineers
2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
2134 Chemical engineers
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers
2221 Biological technologists and technicians
2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
2281 Computer network technicians
2282 User support technicians
2283 Information systems testing technicians
5121 Authors and writers
5122 Editors
5125 Translators, terminologists and interpreters
5224 Broadcast technicians
5225 Audio and video recording technicians
5226 Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
5227 Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
6221 Technical sales specialists — wholesale trade
Process
- The applicant determines his category under BCINP: Skilled Worker, Health Care Professional, International Graduate, International Post-Graduate or Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Worker.
- Once the applicant has determined his category, he can register for free with Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) and get points for different criteria (work experience, level of education, etc.).
- Every week BC PNP selects candidates with the highest scores and sends invitations to apply for immigration under BCINP.
- Invited candidates have up to 30 calendar days since the date of the invitation to submit a full online application. The federal application fee is C$700.
- BC PNP processes applications under this pilot as a priority.
- If the application is approved, the applicant receives a nomination from British Columbia, which he or she can use to submit the final application and a package of documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Persons who have received a nomination and who meet the program conditions will receive a letter of support that will allow them to obtain or extend their current work permit and work during the entire immigration process.
Find out about other BCINP streams in the article “Immigration to British Columbia”.