Changes to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program’s Skills Immigration
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) recently made a series of changes to the Skills Immigration registration scoring system. The changes include:
- An update in the points structure to help regional employers retain people with experience working or studying outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
- The expansion of the eligibility for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to any skilled occupation in the regions.
- The expansion of the International Post-Graduate stream to include doctoral graduates and Ph.D. candidates in any field of study.
- Also, the university professors and lecturers (NOC 41200) working at B.C. public universities on limited-term contracts are now eligible for the Skilled Worker stream.
- An increase in the maximum points for human capital factors: education, work experience and language proficiency.
- The removal of some points for NOC skill level.
Change #1: people with experience working or studying outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District
Points have been added for previous experience working or studying outside of Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD). People with this experience may claim additional points if they have a qualifying job offer in that region.
The criteria allocate 10 additional points to individuals with specific regional education or work experience. However, if the applicant qualifies for both regional experience and regional alumni points, they will only receive points for one factor. It means a maximum of 10 points.
Change #2: expansion of the eligibility for the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
Eligibility for the EMPP has expanded to include permanent full-time job offers from a regional employer in any skilled occupation.
The Province will initially target up to 50 EMPP-skilled refugees who meet the program criteria and who are referred to the BC PNP by a designated NGO partner.
Change #3 and #4: expansion of the International Post-Graduate stream
The province also expanded the eligibility for the International Post Graduate stream to any field of study for doctoral level programs.
Also, professors and post-doctoral fellows on limited term employment contracts at B.C. universities are now eligible for the Skilled Worker stream. These changes aim to retain more innovators and experts that can bring their deep expertise to the province.
<<You can also read: International Students: Immigrate to British Columbia after graduation>>
Change #5: increase in the maximum points for human capital factors
Human capital factors are the skills, experience, education and competencies that individuals contribute to B.C.’s economy. Moreover, these factors support successful settlement and integration of nominees in the province.
Consistent with the removal of points for the NOC job offer code, a higher weight has been given to all other economic or human capital factors.
Change #6: Points for NOC skill level have been removed
One of the most notable changes to the new points allocation system is the removal of points based on the NOC skill level of the job offer of an applicant. These points have now been distributed across both the human capital and economic factors of applicants.
Source: British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Skills Immigration Program Guide
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