BC unveils three new international graduate PNP streams for 2025. British Columbia plans to introduce three new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams for recent PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s degree holders in 2025. In January 2025, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) will introduce new streams designed to attract and retain foreign graduates who completed their education in British Columbia. These streams aim to support the integration of these graduates into the provincial workforce and community.

Three additional Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams designed exclusively for overseas graduates will be added to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) in January 2025. The Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate streams will provide graduates with specialized career paths under these new initiatives. These streams aim to cater to the professional aspirations and qualifications of degree holders at different academic levels.

Students who have graduated within the last three years from an approved post-secondary institution in Canada are considered international graduates. The following contains a detailed list of requirements for the BCPNP’s International Graduate track.

With the help of these streams, overseas graduates will have easier access to permanent residence (PR) in Canada and more job prospects across British Columbia.

British Columbia Reveals Details About New PNP Streams for International Graduates 

Important information regarding the new streams that the British Columbian provincial government’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will launch in January 2025 has been released. A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 8 will be required for each new stream. Diploma and certificate program graduates may still be eligible for previous BCPNP paths. But they will not be eligible for these new streams.

The features, advantages, and eligibility requirements of each upcoming stream that British Columbia has released so far are listed below.

Notably, British Columbia has additionally declared that in late 2024, more comprehensive details regarding these streams will be accessible. The government has announced that upon the launch of the new graduate streams, a revised edition of the BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide will be published. This updated guide will include comprehensive criteria for all new streams introduced under the program.

Bachelor’s stream 

This opportunity is open to recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree from an approved post-secondary institution. These graduates must have a full-time, permanent job offer—that is, one without an expiration date—to be eligible for consideration. Additionally, the job offer must meet the program’s requirements to ensure eligibility under the new streams.

Master’s stream 

This opportunity is open to recent graduates from approved post-secondary institutions who hold a Master’s degree in any subject of study. These graduates must secure a full-time employment offer in a skilled field lasting at least one year to meet eligibility criteria. This requirement ensures that employment offers align with the program’s objectives and duration standards.

Doctorate stream 

This opportunity is open to those who have completed or are enrolled in PhD programs at accredited post-secondary institutions. Both those who have finished their doctoral studies and those who are currently working toward their degrees are eligible.

Key Information on the Three New BCPNP Streams 

Restrictions of job offer 

Due to their lack of restrictions, the three new BCPNP streams provide a great deal of flexibility with regard to the types of occupations that qualify. All employment offers, nevertheless, must still meet the requirements set forth for these streams. This means that while there is a wide range of permissible occupations. The job offers still need to meet the particular standards established by the British Columbian government.

Restrictions of Approved Program 

Eligibility is not restricted to a specific list of recognized academic programs by the new BCPNP streams. This means that recent graduates from degree programs in any field of study may qualify for the new student streams if they meet the requirements. Also, eligibility extends across various academic disciplines under these new provisions. A wide range of academic backgrounds can be taken into consideration because there is no limiting list.

Competition for Invitations to Apply 

The government of British Columbia has made it clear that students with varying academic backgrounds would not be competing for ITAs. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctorate qualifications are the only ones that each stream is intended for. As a result, candidates in each stream will only face off against those who have the same degree. To ensure fairness, candidates in the Bachelor’s stream will only compete with others who hold a Bachelor’s degree. This approach ensures an equitable evaluation process for all applicants.

Eligibility Criteria for B.C.’s International Graduate Stream 

An outline of the overall qualifying requirements for all BCPNP International Graduate streams is given below, while each of the new streams will have unique requirements.

Candidate eligibility for the International Graduate stream in British Columbia is as follows:

  • Have completed three years of study at an accredited post-secondary school in Canada and obtained a degree, diploma, or certificate.
    • Hold a valid full-time work offer from a BC business that they have accepted.
    • The job offer must be indefinite (no defined end date).
  • For priority technology occupations, the job offer does not need to be indefinite.
  • The National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER categories 1, 2, or 3 must be met by the employment offer.
    • NOC TEER 0 occupations are not eligible for the International Graduate stream.
  • Possess the necessary qualifications to work in BC in the chosen field.
  • Offer them a salary that is in line with the pay scale for the work they will be doing in British Columbia.
  • Show that you have the means to support yourself and any qualifying dependents.
  • Fulfill the minimal language requirements.

The candidate’s application must be supported by the employer, who must also fulfill certain employer-focused standards. This entails showing a dedication to the applicant’s application process and following the rules that the government of British Columbia has created for companies. These specifications guarantee that the business can offer the candidate a secure and encouraging work environment.

Essential Information Regarding Skills Immigration in BC 

A points-based system is used by skills immigration, which includes the BCPNP, to evaluate and choose qualified immigration candidates. Candidates have 30 calendar days from the date they receive an ITA via the BCPNP to submit their application to the province. After receiving the ITA, applicants must promptly prepare and submit their application to meet the deadline.

Upon submitting their application, candidates must pay the application fee and supply all relevant paperwork.

Using its point system, the BCPNP assesses candidates while taking economic and human capital into account. Relevant professional experience and fluency in both of Canada’s official languages—French and English—are examples of human capital considerations. Economic aspects include the salary that the candidate will receive for the position in British Columbia and the location of the job within the province.