DISCOVER BC PNP TECH
You already know that Canada has several programs and paths to immigrate. But have you ever heard of BC PNP Tech? The province of British Columbia (one of the most sought after by foreigners to live, due to its climate, exuberant nature and many job opportunities) transformed the BC Tech Pilot – a pilot program – into the BC PNP Tech, an immigration program that was recently extended indefinitely and which attracts many technology professionals. This program aims to attract skilled workers from other countries across 29 eligible occupations to help expand the local technology sector, creating more jobs for those living in BC. It is a way to accelerate the immigration of technology talent who want to immigrate to the province, those who are already here as international students or those who already have work permits in Canada and want to obtain permanent residency.
But when talking about technology, would it only be occupations in the IT area and something that has to do with computers, software and things like that? No, it's something much broader.
Check out the list of professions that are the focus of this program:
- (0131) Telecommunication carrier 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
This number on the left side of each of the 29 occupations on this list is the famous “NOC – National Occupation Classification”, a profession code that is listed in Canada's official job classification system. You will hear a lot about him in your research on Canadian immigration.
To complete the BC PNP Tech steps, you need to be in the Express Entry, which would be the first phase. To obtain permanent residency, you will have to be eligible for a program managed by Express Entry, such as Canadian Experience Class, O Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
There are many details about the BC PNP Tech requirements and steps. One is that you need a full-time job offer for one of 29 eligible occupations in the technology sector. The job offer must be at least one year in duration.
The province of BC holds invitation rounds every week for candidates for this technology program. According to the news website CIC News:
“If invited, the candidate will have 30 days to apply for provincial nomination. Being invited does not guarantee that you will receive the nomination, but if you do, you will have six months to use it in a permanent residency application. In the meantime, you can obtain a work permit support letter from the BC PNP so you can continue working legally in Canada while you wait for a decision.
As a candidate for Express Entry with provincial nomination, you automatically receive 600 points added to your overall score. This will elevate your profile to the top of the list for a subsequent draw for Express Entry, where it is very likely that you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency.”
Another advantage of this BC immigration program is that you do not need the LMIA, a document that an employer in Canada needs to obtain before hiring a foreign professional, something that involves a certain amount of work and has a high cost for companies.
To participate in the BC PNP Tech You must meet some requirements and have a job offer in BC. Do you have experience in any of these professions?
Schedule yours now immigration consultancy with our regulated consultant Ana Medeiros, to assess your immigration profile.
