The British Columbia International Graduate stream is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), which is administered by the province of British Columbia. This stream prioritizes the nomination of individuals who have completed their post-secondary education in Canada and have secured a skilled employment offer. The successful candidates will be given an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Participation in the Express Entry system is not a requirement for eligibility in this stream, but individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and possess an active Express Entry profile may be able to benefit from accelerated processing through the Express Entry system. Candidates with experience in specific technology occupations may also be eligible for accelerated processing and additional benefits through the BC Tech Pilot.
Program Requirements
Express Entry Eligibility
Job Offer Requirements
Language Proficiency
Level of Education
Work Experience
Settlement Funds
Requirement | |
Express Entry Profile | No |
Connection to Province | Work Experience |
Job Offer | Yes |
Language Proficiency | None for NOC 0, A, or B |
Level of Education | Post-secondary, |
Work Experience | Two years of related work experience |
Investment Requirement | None |
Eligible Employers for BC Skills Immigration Programs-International Students
Must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards and is compliant with BC’s minimum wage requirements based on the applicant’s annual wage, location of residence in BC, and the number of dependent family members.
The business must be established and in good standing in British Columbia, with a history of good workplace and business practices:
Prior to offering the position to a foreign national, the employer must demonstrate compliance with the requirement of making reasonable efforts to recruit a Canadian citizen for the role. It is important to note that, as per the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), employers are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the validity of their positions.
Application Procedure
The British Columbia International Graduate stream operates through an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Eligible candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the stream may register their profile via the BC online immigration portal. Candidates must specify on their profile whether they are applying through the Express Entry system or the BC Skills Immigration system. Upon submission, candidates will be evaluated and ranked based on the BC Skills Immigration Ranking System. The top-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a complete application to the stream during one of its periodic intakes.
Candidates must submit a complete application to the stream within 30 days of receiving the invitation to apply and pay a non-refundable fee of $700 CAD per applicant. Upon approval, the candidate will receive a provincial nomination for permanent residency in BC and may also request a letter of support for a temporary work permit to begin working in Canada while their permanent residency application is being processed. Please note that applying for a work permit with a letter of support from a province is a separate application process to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If the candidate indicated on their BC profile that they were applying through the Express Entry system, they will receive a nomination notification on their IRCC online account. Upon accepting the nomination, the candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, almost ensuring they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in the next Express Entry draw. The candidate must prepare and submit a formal application for permanent residency within the designated timeframe. Express Entry applications for permanent residency are typically processed within six months.
If the candidate indicated on their BC profile that they were applying through the regular BC Skills Immigration system, they have six months to submit a formal application for permanent residency by preparing a paper-based application and submitting it by mail to the relevant application center. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residency are typically processed within 18 months.
British Columbia Skills Immigration Ranking System
Factor | Maximum Points | |
Economic Factors (120) | Skill Level of the B.C. Job Offer | 60 |
Wage of the B.C. Job Offer | 50 | |
Regional District of Employment | 10 | |
Human Capital Factors (80) | Directly Related Work Experience | 25 |
Highest Level of Education | 25 | |
Language | 30 | |
Total Available Points | 200 | |
Skill Level of the B.C. Job Offer |
NOC Skill Level A (including Skill Type 0) |
NOC Skill Level B |
NOC Skill Level C |
NOC Skill Level D |
Bonus points: |
Occupation is a “00” NOC |
Occupation identified in the BC High Demand Occupations List in the BC Labour Market Outlook 2018 Edition |
Currently working full-time in B.C. for the employer in the occupation identified in the BC PNP registration |
Maximum Score Available |
Annual Wage of the B.C. Job Offer | Points |
$100,000 and above | 50 |
$97,500 to $99,999 | 38 |
$95,000 to $97,499 | 37 |
$92,500 to $94,999 | 36 |
$90,000 to $92,499 | 35 |
$87,500 to $89,999 | 34 |
$85,000 to $87,499 | 33 |
$82,500 to $84,999 | 32 |
$80,000 to $82,499 | 31 |
$77,500 to $79,999 | 30 |
$75,000 to $77,499 | 29 |
$72,500 to $74,999 | 28 |
$70,000 to $72,499 | 27 |
$67,500 to $69,999 | 26 |
$65,000 to $67,499 | 25 |
$62,500 to $64,999 | 24 |
$60,000 to $62,499 | 23 |
$57,500 to $59,999 | 22 |
$55,000 to $57,499 | 21 |
$52,500 to $54,999 | 20 |
$50,000 to $52,499 | 19 |
$47,500 to $49,999 | 18 |
$45,000 to $47,499 | 17 |
$42,500 to $44,999 | 16 |
$40,000 to $42,499 | 15 |
$38,750 to $39,999 | 14 |
$37,500 to $38,749 | 13 |
$36,250 to $37,499 | 12 |
$35,000 to $36,249 | 11 |
$33,750 to $34,999 | 10 |
$32,500 to $33,749 | 9 |
$31,250 to $32,499 | 8 |
$30,000 to $31,249 | 7 |
$28,750 to $29,999 | 6 |
$27,500 to $28,749 | 5 |
$26,250 to $27,499 | 4 |
$25,000 to $26,249 | 3 |
Less than $25,000 | 0 |
Maximum Score Available | 50 |
Regional District of Employment | Points |
Stikine, Central Coast, Northern Rockies, Mount Waddington, Skeena-Queen Charlotte, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Kootenay-Boundary, Alberni-Clayoquot | 10 |
Kitimat-Stikine, Bulkley-Nechako, Squamish-Lillooet, Strathcona, Columbia-Shuswap, East Kootenay | 8 |
Peace River, Comox Valley, Cariboo, Central Kootenay | 6 |
Okanagan-Similkameen, Cowichan Valley, North Okanagan, Fraser-Fort George | 4 |
Thompson-Nicola, Nanaimo, Central Okanagan | 2 |
Capital, Fraser Valley | 2 |
Greater Vancouver | 0 |
Maximum Score Available | 10 |
Directly Related Work Experience in the Occupation of B.C. Job Offer | Points |
60+ months | 15 |
48 to 59 months | 12 |
36 to 47 months | 9 |
24 to 35 months | 6 |
12 months to 23 months | 3 |
Less than 12 months | 1 |
None | 0 |
Bonus points: | |
At least 1 year of directly related experience in Canada | 10 |
Maximum Score Available | 25 |
Education | Points |
Master’s or Doctorate/PhD | 17 |
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma* | 11 |
Bachelor’s Degree | 11 |
Post-secondary Diploma/Certificate (Trades)** | 11 |
Associate Degree | 4 |
Post-secondary Diploma/Certificate (Non-trades) | 2 |
Secondary School (High School) or Less | 0 |
Bonus points: | |
Post-secondary education completed in B.C. | 8 |
Post-secondary education completed in Canada (outside of B.C.) | 6 |
Educational Credential Assessment from a qualified supplier | 4 |
Successfully completed the Industry Training Authority British Columbia (ITABC’s) challenge certification process | 4 |
Maximum Score Available | 25 |
|
Canadian Language Benchmark Level |
Points |
|
10+ |
30 |
|
9 |
26 |
|
8 |
22 |
|
7 |
18 |
|
6 |
14 |
|
5 |
10 |
|
4 |
6 |
|
Below 4 |
0 |
|
No test |
0 |
|
Maximum Score Available |
30 |
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