BC PNP Tech Pilot

BC PNP Tech Pilot 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

  1. The applicant determines his category under BCINP: Skilled Worker, Health Care Professional, International Graduate, International Post-Graduate or Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Worker.
  2. 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.).
  3. Every week BC PNP selects candidates with the highest scores and sends invitations to apply for immigration under BCINP.
  4. 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.
  5. BC PNP processes applications under this pilot as a priority.
  6. 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).
  7. 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”.