On June 3, 2019, the province’s immigrant nominee program announced that British Columbia’s BC PNP Tech Pilot would continue until June 2020.
Introduced in 2017, the Tech Pilot provides a fast-tracked process to obtain Canadian Permanent Residence for international talent with a job offer in one of 29 eligible tech occupations.
BC PNP Streams
The Tech Pilot is not a separate stream of the BC PNP. Applicants must apply under an existing BC PNP stream to be considered for the Tech Pilot, including:
- Skills Immigration
- Express Entry BC
- Entrepreneur Immigration
- Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
Job Requirements for BC PNP Tech Pilot
Applicants under Skills Immigration must have a confirmed job offer from a BC employer, ideally in one of the 29 key technology occupations.
- Job offer must be full-time, for at least one year, and have ≥120 days remaining at application.
- Permanent job offers or those without an end date are also accepted.
BC PNP Draws
After registering online with the BC PNP, candidates receive a score based on selection criteria.
- Applicants with the highest scores receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Registrants have 30 days to submit their nomination application and pay a CAD $700 fee.
BC PNP Processing Time
- Most applications are processed within 2–3 months.
- Tech Pilot applications often receive priority processing.
- Approved nominees can apply for Permanent Residence with IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Class.
- Some candidates may work on a temporary work permit in British Columbia during the PR process.
FAQs
1) What is the BC PNP Tech Pilot?
The BC PNP Tech Pilot fast-tracks BC PNP applications for candidates with a qualifying job offer in one of 29 eligible tech occupations, accelerating their path to Canadian Permanent Residence.
2) Do I need a job offer to qualify?
Yes. A full-time job offer from a BC employer for at least one year with ≥120 days remaining is required, ideally in an eligible tech occupation.
3) Which BC PNP streams work with the Tech Pilot?
The Tech Pilot operates through existing BC PNP streams such as Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC; it is not a separate stream.
4) How long does processing take and what are the fees?
Typical BC PNP processing is 2–3 months, with Tech Pilot cases often faster. The provincial application fee is CAD $700. (Times and fees may change.)
