The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is the province’s only direct economic immigration tool for bringing in new British Columbians. It provides a pathway to permanent residence for highly-skilled, in-demand workers and experienced entrepreneurs, so they can settle in BC and raise a family.
The team of immigration lawyers at Dhanu Dhaliwal Law Group can help you successfully navigate the BC PNP easily and effectively, so you can reap the rewards of this unique opportunity and join us in the wonderful province of British Columbia.
Pathways to Citizenship with the BC PNP
The Provincial Nominee Program has three “pathways” for prospective British Columbians to find a career and pursue their goals in the province.
Skills Immigration
Skilled and semi-skilled workers are in high demand in British Columbia. This is great news for anyone with a craft skill or trade experience.
To fill the skills gap in the province, the BC PNP looks for skilled workers domestically and abroad. Using a points-based invitation system, the program invites individuals who will bring their talents to the province to apply for permanent residency.
Points are based on a variety of factors and are used to determine priority in acceptance. Those who wish to apply through this pathway may not need prior work experience in Canada. The PNP accepts work experience from abroad, as well as degrees and certificates from some higher education institutions.
Express Entry BC
Express Entry BC is a faster way for eligible skilled workers to immigrate to BC.
In order to qualify for Express Entry, you must already qualify for a federal economic immigration program.
You must also qualify for a federal economic immigration program. It uses a points-based invitation system, and is an entirely web-based registration and application process for both the BC PNP and permanent residency process.
Applicants through Express Entry BC must have relevant work experience to participate, though your work experience does not need to be in BC or Canada. Other requirements such as education and language may apply.
Entrepreneur Immigration
Those looking to start a business or to expand their business ventures should consider the Entrepreneur Immigration pathway.
The BC PNP actively seeks out entrepreneurs who can help meet the communities’ economic development needs, especially outside of urban areas.
This pathway is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to actively manage a business in BC. Like with Skills Immigration, admission is determined by a points-based invitation system.
To qualify for this pathway, applicants must have the minimum required personal and investment funds
Within the Entrepreneur Immigration pathway is the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot program. This program is for entrepreneurs who want to start a new business in participating regional communities across BC. The goal of this program is to help stimulate the economy of specific regions of BC Living expenses and business start-up costs are lower in these areas than in urban centers, so applicants through the Regional Pilot Program need less personal/investment funds to participate.
The BC PNP is not for everyone, but driven individuals looking to settle down in the BC area can benefit tremendously from the program. If you are interested in applying, or if you are looking to immigrate to British Columbia through another avenue, get in touch with us today.
