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.
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5. You can register again for BC PNP to pursue your dream life in any of the cities of British Columbia
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 the 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 operatorsCare 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 assistantsOther 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 SIRS 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!
A Cautionary Note: The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained, and the readers are asked to refer to the government website for the most updated information.
