With the changes to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) skilled worker requirements, the Province has addressed regional differences, has eliminated inconsistencies and is maintaining its desire to encourage potential candidates to seek opportunities outside the Greater Vancouver region. Here are the latest changes. The wording in red font means either new additions or modified requirement.
A) General Requirements
1. Indeterminate Job Offer exception
For programs where a job offer from a BC employer is required the job offer has to be “indeterminate” (i.e. job offer must not be temporary or have a defined end date). In the previous PG the only exception was in job offers for a Tech occupation. The new PG added NOC 41200 (university professors and lecturers), as long as:
- The job offer is from a BC public University, and
- The candidate has a doctoral level degree.
2. Qualifications
General
The BC PNP requests that candidates should meet the job requirements as per the NOC. The new addition to the PG is that the BC PNP can request further documentation such as an ECA upon their discretion. Therefore it will be good practice to obtain accreditation ahead of time for non-Canadian universities. Another difference is that no additional points are now given for an ECA.
Truckers and Bus Drivers
Although Truckers (NOC 73300) and Bus Drivers (NOC 73301) should have at the time of application a valid Canadian driver’s licence appropriate for the job offer, the work experience of at least two (2) years as a long-haul truck driver was removed. Also, if the employer operates commercial vehicles they should provide the 9-digits certification with BC’s National Safety Code (NSC) Program, and the certification must match the employer’s legal name. The safety rating on the employer’s NSC certificate should be Excellent, Satisfactory, or Satisfactory-unaudited.
Health Care Assistants/Aides and Dental Assistants
Candidates registered for nomination as health care assistants/aides (NOC 33102) must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker registry at the time of application. Whereas if the candidate applied as dental assistant (NOC 33100) she/he must have the licence to work in that occupation.
3. Minimum Income
The minimum income was adjusted taking into account the Low-Income Cut-Off (“LICO”) for 2020. The minimum income depends on the number of family members including the applicant, and the prospective annual income taking into account the applicants job offer and the spouses’ if he/she is currently working in Canada.
B) BC PNP streams
1. Skilled Worker
Minimum years of work experience
One of the requirements for candidates in this stream is that they should have acquired at least two (2) years of full-time work experience (i.e. min. 30 hours per week) in any TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the last ten (10) years. Although it was assumed it was not expressly said in the previous PG. In the case of NOC 41200 (university professors and lecturers) experience obtained through research or coursework, as part of your doctoral-level degree can be used to demonstrate the two (2) year skilled experience, even if it was unpaid.
2. Health Authority
No changes.
3. International Graduate
In order to be in line with the Post-Graduate Work Permit (“PGWP”) policies the new PG added that up to 50% of the program can be completed online, and that programs completed fully online in Canada between January 2020 and June 2023 are accepted.
4. International Post-Graduate
The main difference is that PhD graduates or PhD candidates from any BC public post-secondary institution can apply for BC PNP nomination. Credentials granted by campuses of Canadian institutions located outside of Canada do not qualify.
5. Entry Level Semi-Skilled
No changes, other than health care professionals and long-haul truckers should apply under the Health Authority or Skilled Worker streams, respectively.
C) Scoring System
The maximum possible points were increased from 190 to 200 points.
Although the maximum score changed slightly, some factors did undergo material changes.
1. Directly Related Work Experience
Five (5) years of work experience is now given 5 more points and the candidate can still claim 10 additional points for currently working full-time for the BC employer in the occupation identified in the BC PNP registration. Previously these points could be claimed in the Skill Level of the Job Offer factor. In the current guide there are no points given for the Skill Level of the Job Offer.
2. Highest Level of Education
Previously Masters and PhD were awarded 17 points. Whereas now, PhD and Masters do not get the same points. The former received 27 points and the latter 22 points. Additionally, extra points for providing an ECA were removed in the new PG. Lastly, BCPNP expanded the list of eligible professional designations upon which candidates can claim additional 5 points.
3. Language Proficiency
In the previous PG the maximum points for language of 30 points were given to a candidate whose lowest language score was CLB 10. Now a CLB 9 candidate can claim those 30 max. Also, for the first time the BC PNP is awarding points for bilingual skills (English and French). It gives additional 10 points if a candidate scores at least CLB 4 in the four language skills of both exams, English and French.
4. Wages
Previously the maximum points for wages offered in the BC Job Offer were 50 points, whereas now is 55 points. The points for wages are now assessed as per the hourly wages, rather than annual wages. This change puts at the same level candidates who are working 30 hours per week with those working 40 hours per week. Previously the max. points, 50, could be claimed with an annual wage of $100k, whereas now a candidate needs an hourly rate of $65.00 to claim those same 50 points. To put it in perspective a candidate earning a $100k wage working:
- 30 hours per week will be earning $64.10 per hour
- 35 hours per week will be earning $54.94 per hour
- 40 hours per week will be earning $48.07 per hour
Therefore, now a candidate needs to earn more to claim those 50 points.
5. Place of work location
Previously points were given depending on the Regional District of Employment, which were seven (7). Now the BC PNP has created what they called Areas and they are three (3):
Previously clients on Vancouver Island were only given 2 points. Whereas now they can claim 15 points.
Another major change in this factor is that additional 10 points for “Regional Experience” OR “Regional Alumni”.
Regional Experience
· The candidate accumulates one (1) year of full-time paid work in ANY TEER in Areas 2 or 3, and
· Within 5 years prior to registering with the BC PNP.
Regional Alumni
· The candidate must have graduated from a public BC post-secondary institution, located outside Area 1,
· the applicant attended the institution while residing outside Area 1, and
· graduated within 3 years prior to registering.
Candidates who graduated from private institutions cannot get additional points for Regional Alumni, even though they might be eligible got the International Graduate.
