3 New British Columbia PNP Streams For International Students
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is on the brink of undergoing substantial revisions "to establish more transparent routes for international workers to come to B.C."
The selection criteria for the BC PNP are being revised to more accurately align with the education, experience, and language proficiency necessary for employment success in the province.
The program revisions align with new measures aimed at protecting international students from dishonest institutions and recruiters, including:
- Introducing a new three-stream system for graduates with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
- Strengthening language requirements and
- Prioritizing employment opportunities in high-demand sectors that contribute to the economy of British Columbia
The revisions aim to enhance results and clarify the eligibility requirements for candidates seeking Canadian permanent residency through the BC Provincial Nominee Program. The BC PNP assists in identifying individuals who will bolster the economy of British Columbia and gives priority to workers in sectors such as healthcare, construction, early childhood education, and other high-demand fields.
The BC PNP assists in identifying individuals who will bolster the economy of British Columbia and gives priority to workers in sectors such as healthcare, construction, early childhood education, and other high-demand fields.
What are the 3 new BC PNP streams?
Three new streams will replace the current International Graduate and International Post-Graduate streams in January 2025:
1. Bachelor’s Stream
The bachelor’s stream will be available to recent graduates holding bachelor’s degrees from accredited post-secondary institutions.
Graduates who have received an unspecified full-time job offer will be eligible to enroll in this stream.
2. Master’s Stream
The Master’s stream will be accessible to recent graduates who hold master’s degrees from recognized postsecondary institutions in any academic discipline.
Graduates with a minimum one-year full-time job offer in a skilled occupation will be eligible to take advantage of this stream.
It is anticipated that this stream will resemble Ontario’s Masters Graduate Stream.
3. Doctorate Stream
The doctorate stream will be open to graduates and candidates enrolled in doctoral-level programs at accredited postsecondary institutions. Both graduates and PhD candidates will have the opportunity to apply directly to this pathway.
Students who complete diploma or certificate programs in Canada, but do not qualify for these new graduate streams, may still be eligible for other BC Provincial Nominee Program pathways.
New Language requirements
The minimal language competence level will be increased for all the BC PNP streams, with the exception of the Health Authority stream, which has previously been changed.
The new graduate streams will require at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 8.
When will the 3 new BC PNP streams for international students be launched?
In January 2025, three new streams for international students under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) will be introduced. A comprehensive explanation of these changes will be available by late 2024, with the criteria detailed in the Skills Immigration Program Guide come January 2025.
What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)?
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a program that allows it to nominate individuals who possess the skills and experience needed to contribute to the province’s economy.
The BC PNP aims to attract foreign workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs who can support the economic growth of B.C.