New changes are coming to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to make it easier for international students to build their careers and lives in BC.
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What are the new changes?
The BC PNP is getting a makeover to make it simpler and fairer for international workers like you. Here’s what’s happening:
- Clearer Pathways: The selection criteria for the BC PNP are getting updated to better match the skills and qualifications needed for jobs in BC.
- 3 New Streams: There will be three new streams specifically for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates. These streams will replace the current International Graduate and International Post-Graduate streams.
- Stronger Language Requirements: To qualify for the BC PNP, you’ll need to meet higher language proficiency standards. This ensures you’re ready to succeed in BC’s job market.
The changes are made to make things better and clearer for people applying to become permanent residents in Canada through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).
The program will prioritize jobs that are in high demand in BC, such as those in healthcare, construction, and early childhood education.
New Language requirements:
The minimal language competence level required for all BC PNP streams will be increased. But if you’re applying through the Health Authority stream, these rules don’t apply because they’ve already changed before.
For the new graduate streams, you’ll need to have at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 proficiency.
What are the Three New BC PNP Streams?
Starting in January 2025, international students can apply through these new streams:
1. Bachelor’s Stream
If you just finished your bachelor’s degree from an eligible college or university, you can apply for this stream.
If you have an undetermined full-time employment offer, you will be eligible to register in this stream.
2. Master’s Stream
Recent graduates who have completed master’s degrees approved postsecondary institutions in any field of study can apply for the Master’s stream.
If you’ve got a full-time job offer for at least one year in a skilled occupation, you can take advantage of this opportunity. This stream is like Ontario’s Masters Graduate Stream.
3. Doctorate Stream
The doctorate stream is available for people who graduated from universities and those who are studying for a Ph.D. at recognized colleges.
If you’ve graduated or are working towards a Ph.D., you can apply for this program.
Even if you have finished diploma or certificate programs in Canada and don’t meet the requirements for the new graduate options, you could still be eligible for other BC Provincial Nominee Program choices.
When Will These New Changes Happen?
The new streams will launch in January 2025. More details about the changes will be available towards the end of 2024, and you can find the criteria in the Skills Immigration Program Guide starting January 2025.
