British Columbia Holds Targeted Draw for In-Demand Occupations

The British Columbia Nominee Program (BCPNP) held the first draw of its type for in-demand occupations on March 14, 2022.

The March 14 BCPNP draw was the first of its type. The B.C. government announced changes to the program on March 10 designed to prioritize healthcare workers and early childhood educators (ECE).

The recent round of invitations targeted candidates eligible under one of 36 recently identified priority occupations. A draw was also held for BCPNP Tech candidates for those with a job offer in one of 29 tech occupations.

Candidates selected in the latest draws were also eligible under one of the British Columbia Nominee Program’s  five Skills Immigration and Express Entry streams,

• SI – Skilled Worker
• SI – International Graduate
• SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
• EEBC – International Graduate
• EEBC Skilled Worker

The British Columbia Skills Immigration Stream is a collection of immigration pathways within the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

British Columbia’s nominee streams offer a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for workers and graduates that wish to settle in the province. Most BCPNP Skills Immigration programs require candidates to hold a valid job offer with a BC employer.

March 14 BCPNP draw results:

Targeted tech draw: 123 invitations

This draw invited candidates with a job offer in one of 29 tech occupations.

BC Skills Immigration categories minimum SIRS score: 

• International Graduate: 85

Targeted childcare draw: 27 invitations

The following draw targeted candidates eligible under the International Graduate stream with a job offer as an early childhood educator in NOC 4214.

Minimum SIRS score: 85

Targeted healthcare draw: 21 invitations

This draw invited candidates eligible under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams and a job offer in one of 35 healthcare-related occupational codes.

Minimum SIRS score: 85

Targeted healthcare draw: 63 invitations

This draw targeted individuals eligible under the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream, with a job offer as a Healthcare Assistant (NOC 3413).

Minimum SIRS score: 63

Which healthcare occupations did BCPNP target?

British Columbia has a high demand for healthcare workers. For this reason, they have implemented priority occupation draws targeting candidates with experience in one of 35 healthcare occupations, including:

How can I obtain a BC job offer in the healthcare field?

British Columbia offers a free recruitment service for healthcare professionals that wish to work in the province. Health Match BC is funded by the government of British Columbia to help bring healthcare workers to the province.

How do BC PNP EOI draws work?

Candidates that meet the requirements for BC’s Skilled Worker, International Graduate, or Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker pathways can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province. Once a candidate creates an EOI profile, they are ranked by the province’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) and given a “SIRS” score. The highest-ranking candidates will receive an invitation from BC to apply for nomination. After receiving an invitation, candidates have 30 days to prepare and submit their online application to the province. Nominated candidates are then invited to apply to the federal government for Permanent Residence.

Not sure if you’re eligible for BCPNP, or any other nominee program? Complete our free online assessment for a full evaluation of your immigration options!