This is a pilot program that is part of BC PNP and is operated by the province of British Columbia. This program allows the candidates working in high-demand technical occupations to apply for provincial nomination with expedited processing through the British Columbia PNP.
The candidates successfully nominated through this program are issued a work permit support letter, which allows them to apply for a work permit (temporary). Furthermore, they are invited to submit an application for Canadian PR. It should be noted that this is not an immigration program. The eligible candidates who have registered their profile for one of the British Columbia PNP Skills Immigration programs and who also meet the requirements for this program may apply for it in order to receive accelerated application processing and other benefits.
This program has unique job offer requirements wherein the applicant must have a job offer for one of 29 selected in-demand occupations. The job offer doesn’t need to be indefinite, but must be for a period of at least 1 year. However, in case the applicant is already working for the employer in the position that is being offered, the applicant must have at least 120 days remaining in that position at the time of submission of their application.
To be eligible for this program, the candidate must be registered for one of the BC Skills Immigration programs. In addition to the above, the candidate must also be working in one of 29 tech occupations identified as in-demand by the British Columbia PNP. Here is the list of 29 in-demand tech occupations.
| NOC Code | 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 engineers technologists and technicians |
| 2242 | Electronic service technicians (households 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 program is aligned with British Columbia’s Skills Immigration programs and fits best with the BC Skilled Worker and BC International Graduate programs. To apply for this program, a foreign national must verify that they meet the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code requirements for one of the aforementioned (29) occupations. Once this is verified, the candidate may start the application process online by registering a profile with BC PNP.
Once registered, the applicant may follow the application procedure for their eligible program. In this program, the applicants get numerous advantages in the provincial nomination process, e.g., the rounds of invitations to apply are conducted weekly and their PNP applications are processed at an expedited rate. Furthermore, the employers have access to this program’s “concierge services” through which they can assist with the hiring process.
