One of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada without IELTS or without LMIA is through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Technology (BC PNP Tech).
The BC PNP Tech was made permanent to support B.C. tech employers with the continued ability to recruit and retain international talent when Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available to do the work.
To be eligible for the BC PNP Tech program, you must be a specialist in any one of the 29 tech occupations listed here to get a prioritized pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
What's Covered in This Article
Benefits of immigrating to Canada through the BC PNP Tech program
- The BC PNP Tech program immigration pathway does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- BC PNP Tech nominees can use their work permit support letters to apply for a new work permit or renew their current work permit and continue to work throughout the federal permanent residence process
- BC PNP concierge services available upon arrival to Canada
List of 29 Eligible Occupations for BC PNP Tech
| NOC | Job Title |
| 0131 | Telecommunication carriers 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 |
You also need to have a job offer in one the 29 in-demand occupations under the BC PNP Tech program.
For the BC PNP Tech program though, you do not need IELTS or LMIA to immigrate to Canada.
Process of Immigrating to Canada through the BC PNP Tech program:
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Step 1: Get a job offer in on of the 29 eligible occupations from a designated employer
General BC PNP Tech employer requirements
Your employer must:
- be established as an employer in good standing in B.C.
- provide full-time, indeterminate (permanent or with no set end date) employment
- have a history of good workplace and business practices
- sign an employer declaration
- meet domestic labour market recruitment requirements, where applicable
- make you a full-time, indeterminate job offer
- offer you a wage in line with industry standards
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Step 2: Create a profile on BC PNP’s BCPNP Online Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)
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Step 3: Receive your SIRS score based on various factors:
- economic factors include:
- The National Occupation Classification skill level of your B.C. job offer. This is to prioritize high-demand occupations.
- The annual wage you are offered. The right earning helps you better settle in B.C.
- The location of your employment.
- Factors that influence your ability to settle in B.C. including your:
- directly related work experience
- level of education
- English language proficiency. Doing your IELTS could increase your registration score here.
- economic factors include:
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Step 4: Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA) under Skills Immigration stream
IF eligible under the Skilled Worker, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled, and International Graduate categories, highest-scoring registrants from the selection pool will receive an invitation to apply under the Skills Immigration stream. Invitations are issued based on the BC PNP’s annual nomination allocation and processing capacity. However, a registration does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply. Check on this link for up to date details on invitations to apply, including draw dates, number of invitations issued and minimum scores.
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Step 5: Submit a complete application via BCPNP Online
If you are invited to apply, you have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application via BCPNP Online. The processing fee is CAD $1,150.
An invitation to apply does not guarantee you will be approved for nomination.
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Step 6: Receive a Provincial Nomination Certificate
Your application is then assessed according to the Provincial Immigration Programs Act and Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation and the criteria specific to your Skills Immigration category. If approved, you will receive a provincial nomination certificate that you can use to submit an application for permanent residence in Canada to the designated IRCC visa office.
You must submit your application before the expiry date listed on your nomination certificate.
