VICTORIA – Settling in a small city comes with lot of perks be it cost of living or a life less stressful. The province of British Columbia has added one more advantage to the list. BC has recently announced that it will offer priority to those skilled immigrants who get a job or study in smaller communities in BC.
It is part of series of changes to the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s (BC PNP) Skills Immigration.
The changes include updating the Skills Immigration registration scoring system to increase immigration to regions outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
People with experience working or studying outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District may claim additional points if they have a qualifying job offer in that region. It has also adjusted eligibility for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to include job offers from a regional employer in B.C. in any skilled occupation.
The changes build on adjustments made to the BC PNP program in March 2022 to prioritize health-care workers and early childhood educators. The changes resulted in a 66% increase (180 people) in projected nominations for the health authority stream over past year; a 224% increase (140 people) in the number of candidates working in health care outside of the health authorities; and a 575% increase (277 people) in early childhood educator candidates.
In addition, eligibility for the International Post Graduate stream has been expanded to any field of study for doctoral level programs. Professors and post-doctoral fellows on limited term employment contracts at B.C. universities are now eligible for the Skilled Worker stream. Both of these criteria changes are intended to retain more innovators and experts that can bring their deep expertise to the province.
The BCPNP Online system has been updated and is now using the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Applications received before November 16, 2022 will continue to be processed using NOC 2016. All registrations and applications submitted on or after November 16, 2022 will need to use NOC 2021.
Highlights of changes:
- The points structure has been updated to help regional employers retain people with experience working or studying outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District
- Eligibility for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) has been expanded to any skilled occupation in the regions
- The International Post-Graduate stream has been expanded to include doctoral graduates and PhD candidates in any field of study
- University professors and lecturers (NOC 41200) working at B.C. public universities on limited term contracts are now eligible for the Skilled Worker stream
- The maximum points for human capital factors – education, work experience and language proficiency – has been increased
- Points for NOC skill level have been removed
- Other changes to criteria that protect the safety of British Columbians and strengthen the integrity of the program
New incentives for skilled immigrants to settle in communities outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District will help business owners throughout B.C. access the international talent pool.
Are you someone who is looking to make BC home or an employer who wants to attract talent, we can help you settle in this beautiful province.
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