On July 3, 2024, British Columbia issued 77 invitations through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech draw. This draw focused on attracting skilled workers and international graduates in the technology sector, which is a critical area for the province’s economic growth and innovation. 

Streams and Requirements 

The 77 invitations were distributed across four streams under the BC PNP: 

1. Skilled Worker (SI)
2. International Graduate (SI)
3. Skilled Worker (EEBC)
4. International Graduate (EEBC)

SI (Skills Immigration) and EEBC (Express Entry BC) are the two main pathways through which candidates can apply: 

SI Stream: For workers with skills, experience, and qualifications needed by B.C. employers. 

EEBC Stream: Linked with the federal Express Entry system, which fast-tracks the immigration process for skilled workers. 

Minimum Scores and Eligibility 

Minimum Scores: For this draw, the minimum scores across all streams were 75 points. 

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the Tech draw, candidates typically need a job offer in one of the priority tech occupations, and they must meet the specific requirements of the BC PNP, which include having relevant work experience, language proficiency, and an intention to reside in British Columbia. 

Priority Tech Occupations 

The BC PNP Tech draws target specific occupations in the tech sector. Some of these priority occupations include: 

– Software engineers and designers 

– Web developers and programmers 

– Computer network technicians 

– Data scientists 

– Cybersecurity specialists 

The BC PNP Tech draws are part of a broader strategy to address labor shortages in the technology sector and support the province’s economic growth by attracting highly skilled professionals.