BC PNP Questions
Express Entry BC
- An online application process for applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
- Faster processing by IRCC of permanent residence applications.
- Is only for skilled occupations (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A or B).
- Requires applicants to meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s federal economic immigration programs, including work experience, language and settlement funds.
Skills Immigration
- A paper application process for applying to IRCC for permanent residence.
- IRCC processing times differ from applications for permanent residency under Express Entry.
- Is for all eligible occupations in the (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A, B, C and D).
- o Does not require applicants in some categories to have prior work experience, although experience can benefit your application.
Occupations from all skill levels (National Occupational Classification Matrix skill level 0, A, B, C and D) may be eligible.
To see eligible occupations, please review the requirements on each Skills Immigration category page.
Yes, unless you are applying to the International Post-Graduate category.
The job offer must be full-time and indeterminate (permanent, or with no set end date) and from an eligible B.C. employer.
SIRS is an online points-based application management system that helps B.C. select in-demand workers to meet labour market needs.
You will receive a score based on your job, where in B.C. your job is located, your offered wage as well as your work experience, education and language ability.
SIRS is an online points-based application management system that helps B.C. select in-demand workers to meet labour market needs.
You will receive a score based on your job, where in B.C. your job is located, your offered wage as well as your work experience, education and language ability.
If you are invited to apply, you will have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application via BCPNP Online.
Yes. You may improve your score and register again. For example, you may try to improve your language score or obtain a higher level of education.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot is an initiative under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to support the tech sector in recruiting top international talent.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot offers:
- Weekly “tech-only” invitations to apply (ITA) to qualified candidates working in one of 29 eligible tech occupations in B.C., as indicated in this document (applicants still need to register with the BC PNP) dedicated concierge service for tech employers.
- Priority processing for tech applications o targeted outreach and engagement with the tech sector.
- Some flexibility with job offer duration.
The BC PNP Tech Pilot is being extended to June 2020.
The results of the pilot will be periodically reviewed to determine if the benefits warrant changes.
As of June 26, 2018, job offers under the BC PNP Tech Pilot must meet the following criteria:
- The job offer must be for a single job in one of the 29 occupations eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot;
- The job offer must be at least one year in duration (365 days); and
- There must be at least 120 calendar days remaining on the job offer at the time of application.
Longer duration job offers, including indeterminate (permanent, or with no set end date) job offers, will continue to be eligible.
You need to determine if your job offer is one of the 29 occupations listed as eligible. Then select which category would be the best fit for your application. More information regarding full category requirements can be found in our BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Program Guide.
Yes. All BC PNP categories, except the International Post-Graduate categories, require a job offer from a B.C. employer.
You will need to withdraw your existing registration and create a new one with your new position.
CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, you must:
be a permanent resident
have lived in Canada for 3 out of the last 5 years
have filed your taxes, if you need to
If you are 18 to 54 years of age on the day you sign your application:
pass a test on your rights, responsibilities and knowledge of Canada
prove your language skills (Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 or higher)
EXPRESS ENTRY
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class
You don’t need to upload documents to submit a profile, but you may need information from some or all of these documents:
- passport or travel document
- language test results
- education credential assessment report if
- • you’re applying through the Federal Skilled Workers program, or
- • you want to get points for the education you got outside Canada
- provincial nomination (if you have one)
- written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one)
To get the most points possible for your education under the Comprehensive Ranking System, you should get your highest degree, diploma or certificate assessed (PhD, MA, BA). If you have more than one credential, you may want to get both assessed if it would give you more points.
Yes. Depending on the information in your profile, you may be eligible for more than one program through Express Entry.
In that case, you will be invited to apply for one program based on this order:
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
You can’t choose which program you are invited to apply for. The system will sort profiles based on the information you enter. If you decline the invitation, the system will not re-invite you under the next program. You will go back in the pool, and if IRCC invite you again, the same order will apply.
Generally, a valid job offer is for a job that is:
Full-time and non-seasonal,
For at least one year,
In a skilled job listed as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B in the 2016 National Occupational Classification.
A job offer must be in writing, and must set out details of the job they are offering you, such as your pay and deductions, your job duties, conditions of employment.
In most cases, a valid job offer must be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). When you create your Express Entry profile, include the LMIA number to show that you have a valid job offer.
A work permit on its own is not a job offer, even if it is an open work permit.
Please get your documents (Police Clearance Certificates, Proof of Funds for Federal Skilled Worker and Trades Category) ready, as you will be given only 60 days to apply if you get an invitation.
If one of your documents is in a language other than English or French, you must also upload:
an English or French translation
a certified photocopy of the original document
an affidavit from the person who completed the translation (if they’re not a certified translator) or If a certified translator completed your translation, then the document must be stamped with the translator’s certification or registration number
If your passport expires within 6 months from the day you apply, you should renew it. Then, when you get your new passport, update your passport information in your application.
PERMANENT RESIDENCY
Permanent Residents are citizens of other countries, who have been given Permanent Residency Status after immigrating to Canada, but they are not Canadian citizens. Anyone living in Canada with a Temporary Resident Status is not a Permanent Resident (Student, Temporary Foreign Workers, Parents/Grandparents on Super Visa).
You should apply for Permanent Resident Travel Document to return to Canada.
You should have lived in Canada for at least 730 days during the 5-year period immediately before your application is received by IRCC or during the first five years period immediately after your arrival in Canada (these 730 days do not need to be continuous).
You don’t lose your permanent resident status when your PR card expires. You can only lose your status if:
its determined that you are no longer a permanent resident after an inquiry or Permanent Resident Travel Document appeal;
you voluntarily renounce your permanent resident status;
a removal order is made against you and comes into force; or
you become a Canadian citizen.
Even if you don't meet the residency obligation, you are still a PR until an official decision is made on your status.