On November 16, 2022, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) was revised to comply with the newly implemented NOC system of Canada—NOC 2021.
The government of British Columbia is working toward improving immigration processing, enhancing opportunities for skilled workers, strengthening the integrity of the program, and ensuring the region’s safety as well as strengthening the NOC system.
The following changes to the BC PNP need to be considered before applying for British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. Key changes are given below:
Workers Who Have Gained Education or Work Experience Outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Can Now Gain Additional Points
A new point structure is developed, which helps regional employers retain people with experience working or studying outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. New bonus points have been given to applicants who have gained education or work experience in regional and semi-regional communities. Additional points have been allocated to applicants with more than a year of paid regional experience. Regional Alumni who graduated from a public BC post-secondary institution outside of Metro Vancouver Regional District and attended and resided outside of the MVRD may gain additional points.
The EMPP’s Eligibility Has Been Expanded
The eligibility of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot is expanded, allowing any skilled occupation in the region to be included.
More Eligible Educational Attainment in the International Post-Graduate Stream
Doctoral graduates and Ph.D. candidates from any field are now eligible for the International Post-Graduate stream.
Additional Eligible Occupations for BC PNP Skilled Worker Stream
Professors and lecturers (NOC 41200) employed in public universities of British Columbia in a limited-term contract can now apply for the Skilled Worker stream.
Human Capital Factors Points Increased
The maximum points for Human Capital Factors (education, work experience, and language proficiency) increased.
Removal of Level Points
The skill level points of NOC have been removed. There are no higher or additional points if applicants work in managerial or senior positions.
Other
Other changes have been made to strengthen British Columbia’s program integrity and protect its safety.
With the new eligibility criteria in place, it’s best to consult a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant, like Chitra & Associates, who understands the complex nature of immigration processing.
What will happen to the BC PNP application prior to these changes?
All BC PNP applications submitted before November 16, 2022, will still be assessed based on the NOC 2016 system. Applications submitted after November 16, 2022, will be evaluated using the new NOC 2021 system.
If you submitted your application before the new NOC system went into effect, don’t worry! Your profile assessment will not be affected by the changes.
How will these changes affect upcoming BC PNP draws? Will we see new prioritized occupations?
Additional occupations became eligible as a result of the changes to BC PNP. The occupations under NOC 41200, such as 41200 University professors and lecturers employed in the region’s public universities on a limited-term contract, might appear in the upcoming BC PNP draws under one of the targeted occupations.
BCPNP has posted the new priority occupation list based on the NOC 2021 on its website. The list is given below:
BC PNP Tech Occupations
- 10030 Telecommunication carriers managers
- 20012 Computer and information systems managers
- 21100 Physicists and astronomers
- 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- 21211 Data scientists
- 21220 Cybersecurity specialists
- 21221 Business systems specialists
- 21222 Information systems specialists
- 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
- 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
- 21231 Software engineers and designers
- 21232 Software developers and programmers
- 21233 Web designers
- 21234 Web developers and programmers
- 21300 Civil engineers
- 21301 Mechanical engineers
- 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers
- 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- 21320 Chemical engineers
- 21399 Other professional engineers
- 22110 Biological technologists and technicians
- 22220 Computer network and web technicians
- 22221 User support technicians
- 22222 Information systems testing technicians
- 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- 50011 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- 22312 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- 51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
- 51112 Technical writers
- 51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
- 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- 52112 Broadcast technicians
- 52113 Audio and video recording technicians
- 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators
- 53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators
Care economy: Healthcare occupations
- 30010 Managers in health care
- 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
- 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
- 31110 Dentists
- 31201 Chiropractors
- 31120 Pharmacists
- 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
- 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- 31203 Occupational therapists
- 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
- 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 32121 Medical radiation technologists
- 32122 Medical sonographers
- 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- 32110 Denturists
- 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- 32101 Licensed practical nurses
- 32102 Paramedical occupations
- 41300 Social workers
- 42201 Social and community service workers
- 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
- 31101 Specialists in surgery
- 31302 Nurse practitioners
- 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
- 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
- 31202 Physiotherapists
- 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
- 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
- 32112 Dental technologists and technicians
- 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
- 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- 31200 Psychologists
- 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
- 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
*For the purposes of the BC PNP, only health care assistants / health care aides are eligible under NOC 33102.
Care economy: Childcare occupations
- 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants
Other priority occupations
- 31103 Veterinarians
- 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
- 41200 University professors and lecturers
How does the transition from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 affect BC PNP?
It has been 2 days since BC PNP reopened its Skills Immigration registration system to the public after the implementation of NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022.
Prior to this, BC PNP draws were temporarily closed from October 12, 2022 to November 16, 2022 due to the possible changes that were being made due to the change in the NOC system and SRS scoring. British Columbia was getting ready for the changes the new NOC system would bring to its immigration system from then on and also the new regional focus.
Now, you can register again for BC PNP to pursue your dream life in any of the cities of British Columbia!
Now is the time to begin your permanent residency journey in British Columbia!
Before submitting a BC PNP application, Chitra & Associates can evaluate your profile to ensure it complies with the new criteria of NOC 2021 and BCPNP.
We have Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants who are well-versed in the new NOC system affecting Canadian immigration. As you apply for the BC PNP, they will guide you every step of the way to ensure that you do not miss a thing.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your permanent residency journey in British Columbia today by booking a consultation with us!
