BC PNP: Issues 92 ITAs to Tech Workers and Announces Polices of COVID-19

The Provincial Nominee Program of British Columbia (BC PNP) proceeds to answer questions, receive, and process applications, evaluate final reports, process post-nomination demands, as well as to conduct regular draws by its Skills Immigration BC, Express Entry BC and also through Entrepreneur Streams.

Latest B.C. PNP Tech Pilot Draw Details

B.C. also conducts weekly Tech Pilot draws by which applicants with employment offers in 29 eligible professions are invited to apply for a BC provincial nomination for Canada PR. Started in 2017, the goal of the Tech Pilot is to support B.C.’s tech sector to recruit ICT workers to address employment vacancies.

On 12 May 2020 B.C. announced 92 invitations by its most recent Tech Pilot draw. Invitations were given to applicants in the Skilled Worker and International Graduate sub-categories in both the Skills Immigration BC and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams. The minimum score needed for applicants in both Sub-categories was 80, which indicates a 5 point drop related to last week’s draw which had a score cut-off of 85 points.

On the opposite hand, the pandemic has had a notable influence on specific sectors that are more vulnerable to employment changes in the economy of B.C. This has led to the temporary suspension of several professions from the latest BC PNP rounds of invitation.

Skills Immigration: Reforms in Employment Due to COVID-19

The BC PNP has executed interim measures for Skills Immigration candidates whose work status has altered due to:

• Terminations without cause
• Lay-offs
• Recall to the same place/same company
• New employment offers with a new company
• Decreased work hours 
• Cut in salary that would occur in failing to reach minimum/prevailing wage for the profession
• Cut in income that would occur in failing to reach the minimum income limit

Applicants are still liable for collecting all the expected documents, comprising the results of language examinations, evaluation of diplomas and other training qualifications, and for reaching the deadlines for submission.

However, if the records cannot be received from 3rd parties due to COVID-19, a written statement and evidence that the information has been demanded may be presented in the meantime.

BC Provincial Nominations, Canada PR, Travel, and Work Permits Assistance

BC PNP will include reforms in work status or travel setbacks and give support to the extent feasible, but all registrants, invitees, candidates, and nominees must proceed to satisfy the conditions of their programs for immigration.

People will not notice their BC PNP applications negatively influenced if they get provincial and federal support or services, such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (C.E.R.B) or Employment Insurance (E.I). ​