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Invitations to apply for a provincial nomination were issued to foreign tech workers and international students through the BC PNP on August 25.

B.C. holds weekly Tech Pilot draws through which candidates with job offers in 29 eligible occupations are invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Launched in 2017, the purpose of the is to help B.C.'s technology sector recruit IT workers to help address current labour market needs.

The 72  invitations issued through the Tech Pilot draw on August 25 went to candidates in the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories in both the  (EEBC) and  streams. The minimum score required for candidates in both subcategories was 80, representing no change in score compared with the previous tech draw held on August 11.

In order to be considered eligible for under the Tech Pilot, candidates need to be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least 12 months in one of the Tech Pilot’s .

To apply for the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC categories candidates must first create a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and register under its (SIRS).

Applicants are evaluated and issued a score based on factors such as level of education, work experience, proficiency in English and location of employment.

If an applicant is approved, they can then use their provincial nomination to apply for permanent residence with under the Class.

Express Entry candidates who receive a nomination from British Columbia will be given an additional 600 points toward their Express Entry  (CRS) score and are effectively guaranteed an  (ITA) in a future federal Express Entry draw.

So far in August, B.C. has held four draws through its various PNP categories and streams and invited 863 candidates to apply for a .

PNP-specific Express Entry draws and PNP draws in B.C. and other provinces such as Ontario are resulting in more tech immigration candidates being invited to apply for Canadian permanent resident status, which is due to the importance of the tech sector to the Canadian economy, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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