New changes to the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program are opening the pathway to address critical labour shortages.

That changes make it easier for employers to nominate foreign workers to apply to stay and work in Canada as permanent residents. The Changes affect training, education, experience, and responsibility requirements and come into effect as of November 16th, 2022. The scoring system aims to recruit more permanent residents to accept employment offers and settle permanently outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District.

Overview of Changes

•Any skilled occupation is eligible for nomination to the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP).

•Doctoral graduates and PhD candidates can come from any field of study.

•The Skilled worker stream is now open to university professors and lecturers on limited-term contracts with B.C. public universities. (NOC 41200)

•Increase in Human capital points awarded for education, work experience and language proficiency.

•NOC skill level points are no longer a factor

B.C. currently experiences labour shortages in healthcare and early childhood education. Expanding the program will attract nominations of entrepreneurs, skilled workers and students who grow B.C.’s economy by contributing essential skills.

Note that the BCPNP Online system now uses the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) version.