General Requirements for the B.C. Skills Immigration Stream:

Applicants in the Skills Immigration Stream must meet the following general requirements, in addition to the specific requirements for the category under which they are applying:

1. General Requirements:

• The applicant must be qualified for the offered position, with the BC PNP referring to the National Occupational Classification (NOC), Work BC, or industry standards to determine the minimum qualifications for an occupation.
• The job offer must be in an eligible occupation with a wage rate that meets industry standards and aligns with rates offered by B.C. employers for the same occupation.
• Applicants must not have an ownership or equity stake of more than 10% in the B.C. company that made the job offer in the five years preceding and throughout the entire BC PNP application process.
• Benefit B.C. economically through their employment, which may include transferring knowledge and skills to Canadians, building the workforce for a significant project, creating or maintaining jobs for Canadians, and supporting the development of proprietary new products.
• Meet minimum income requirements.
• Submit a complete application and the $700 application fee if invited to apply.
• Applicant’s employment must not adversely affect the settlement of a labour dispute or the employment of anyone involved in a labour dispute.
• Applicant’s employment must not prevent the training or employment of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Candidates will not receive a nomination if they are:
• Prohibited from entering Canada.
• In Canada, without a valid legal status. If an applicant’s status has expired and they cannot demonstrate that they have applied for a restoration of status within the 90-day eligibility period, the applicant will be considered out of status.
• Working in Canada without authorization.
• Have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada.
• Under a removal order in or outside of Canada.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria:

The Skilled Worker Category is open to workers with post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a skilled occupation. To qualify for the Skilled Worker stream in British Columbia’s Skills Immigration Program, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

2. Job Offer:

• Have received an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment from an eligible B.C. employer (except BC PNP Tech Pilot registrants).
• The job offer must be in an occupation classified as NOC level 0, A, or B.

3. Language Requirements:

• Applicants with a job offer for an occupation classified under NOC level 0 or A are not required to submit valid language test results, but the BC PNP may request them at its discretion.
• For occupations classified under NOC levels B, C, or D, the applicants must demonstrate English or French language ability at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 under the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in all competencies.

4. Work Experience:

• Have at least two years of directly related full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience in the skilled occupation offered to them and the credentials and qualification requirements of the position, if applicable.
• The BC PNP defines directly related work experience as paid employment classified under the same NOC code as the B.C. job offer accepted by the applicant. Experience in a related occupation at a NOC skill level equal to or greater than the NOC skill level of the B.C. job offer may also be considered if the applicant can sufficiently demonstrate how this work experience is directly related to the skilled occupation.

5. Financial Support:

• Demonstrate the ability to meet minimum income requirements and pay for housing and living expenses in British Columbia by showing annual wage in the province, location of residence, and the number of dependents.

6. The applicant must have a legal immigration status in Canada and will not receive a nomination if they do not meet the legal status requirements.
7. The employer must be willing to support the applicant’s (employee’s) application and provide the necessary documentation. The employer must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil their responsibilities during the application process.

Employers Eligibility Criteria:

The Skills Immigration program of the BC PNP is a tool for British Columbia (B.C.) employers to attract and retain workers and recent graduates with the skills, education, and experience needed in B.C.

To be eligible, B.C. employers must meet specific requirements and responsibilities, including:

• Be established in B.C.
• Meet domestic labour market recruitment requirements.
• Offer full-time, permanent employment (except for BC PNP Tech occupations, university professors, lecturers, and post-doctoral fellows working for a public university in B.C.).
• Offer a wage in line with industry standards.
• Provide a signed job offer.
• Complete and sign the employer declaration form.
• Submit supporting documents about the business.
• Follow laws and regulations.