This category is for individuals who have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in the natural, applied or health sciences from a British Columbia institution. No job offer is needed to apply to this program.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
In order to be eligible under this category, applicants must:
Have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree from an eligible British Columbia institution within the three years preceding the application to the BC PNP in one of the following fields:
Agriculture;
Biological and biomedical sciences;
Computer and information sciences and support services;
Engineering;
Engineering technology;
Health professions and related clinical sciences;
Mathematics and statistics;
Natural resources conservation and research; or
Physical sciences.
Provide evidence that they intend to reside permanently in B.C., such as:
The length of current or previous periods of residence in B.C.;
The applicant’s connections to B.C. through work, study, or family; or
A description of any settlement activities that the applicant has undertaken.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Category
This category is for individuals currently living and working in B.C. in an eligible occupation within the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food processing industries, or in a NOC skill level C or D occupation in the Northeast Development Region of the province.
Minimum Requirements for Applicants
In order to be eligible under the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Category, applicants must:
Have been employed in a full-time position in an eligible occupation in B.C., having been in that position for at least nine consecutive months immediately before applying. Work conducted during a program of study or with an Off-Campus Work Permit does not qualify. Eligible occupations are divided into three categories:
Tourism/Hospitality;
Long-haul Trucking (individuals employed in this industry must have had at least two years of experience as a long-haul truck driver in the last three years, in Canada or abroad, before registering with the BC PNP); and,
Food processing.
Individuals currently working in the Northeast Development Region of B.C. in any C or D level occupation (excluding live-in caregivers) may be eligible for this category. Eligibility in this region is not restricted to occupations in the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, of food processing industries;
Maintain full-time employment throughout the application process. Work conducted during a program of study or with an Off-Campus Work Permit does not qualify;
Canada Immigration and Visa Jobs
Have received an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment from an eligible B.C. employer, in an eligible occupation (see below);Demonstrate the ability to meet minimum income requirements and pay for housing and living expenses in British Columbia by showing:
Annual wage in the province;
Location of residence in the province;
Number of dependents;
Entry level and semi-skilled applicants must show a history of meeting this requirement for the previous nine months in the position;
Have completed secondary education;
Have any licensing or certification required for the job; and,
Submit language proficiency test results showing a proficiency in English of at least CLB 4 in all components (listening, speaking, reading, writing).
If the applicant is no longer eligible to work for the supporting employer when he or she receives an Invitation to Apply for the BC PNP, but still has status in Canada (for example, as a visitor) or has left Canada, he or she may submit an application as long as:
He or she met the conditions at the time of registration for the BC PNP; and,
the job offer remains valid throughout the application process.
In this case, the employer must demonstrate recruitment efforts for the vacant position during the period when the candidate is not authorized to work.
Minimum Requirements for Employers
In addition to the above, the employer must also fulfill certain criteria, as follows:
The business must be established in British Columbia, and have been operating for at least two years;
The business must already have permanent, full-time employees.
If the business is located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the business must have at least five permanent, full-time employees (or full-time equivalent) in B.C.;
If the business is located outside the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the business must have at least three permanent, full-time employees (or full-time equivalent) in B.C.;
The business must show a history of good business practices;
The employer must offer the candidate a wage that meets industry standards;
The employer must also meet domestic labour market recruitment requirements.
A written offer of employment must be extended to the applicant on official company letterhead and must meet all of the following requirements:
The offer must be signed and dated by both the employer and applicant.
The offer must include:
A description of job duties;
The rate of pay;
The working hours for the position (minimum of 30 hours per week);
A statement that position is permanent and full time;
A list of additional benefits; and
A mention of any applicable collective bargaining agreements, if relevant.
The employer may not make deductions from pay for recruitment, immigration fees, etc.
The wage offered must be at market rate and comparable to average salary for the occupation in British Columbia.
Individuals originally hired on a Labour Market Opinion must receive an equal or greater wage than that stated on the Labour Market Opinion.