Stage 1: Registration

The first step is registration with our Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Registering allows us to assess your job, B.C. location, education, language ability and wage. We will review this against B.C. labour market needs.

Registration is free. All registrants must meet minimum program and category requirements.

Who should register with the BC PNP?

Only applicants under the EEBC — Skilled Worker and EEBC — International Graduate categories need to register with SIRS. EEBC — HealthCare Professional and EEBC — International Post-Graduate applicants can apply directly through BCPNP Online. Applicants to all other categories must first register through BCPNP Online.

Before you register

Before you register with the BC PNP, you must complete your Express Entry profile with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry system. You must meet the requirements of one of the following immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

If you meet the minimum criteria for one of IRCC’s federal economic immigration programs, you will receive an Express Entry profile number and a Job Seeker validation code. You now can register with the BC PNP.

What is SIRS?

SIRS is a points-based registration and application system that helps B.C. select the best workers to meet labour market needs. By registering, you are expressing interest to apply to the BC PNP. It is not an application for permanent residence.

How do I register?

• Create an online profile with BCPNP Online
• Complete all sections of the registration
• Submit your registration

A registration does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply.

What happens next?

You get a registration score based on various factors. You also go into a selection pool for your chosen category. You stay in the selection pool for up to 12 months, or until you receive an invitation to apply.

What factors affect my SIRS score?

Key economic factors include:

• The National Occupation Classification skill level of your B.C. job offer. This lets us prioritize high-demand occupations.
• The annual wage you are offered. The right wage helps you settle successfully in B.C.
• The location of your employment  

Factors that influence your ability to settle in B.C. include your:

• directly-related work experience
• level of education
• English language proficiency

The BC PNP reserves the right to make changes to SIRS without prior notice, including changes to the scoring grids, the length of time your registration can remain in the selection pool, and the number and frequency of registrants invited to apply. For more information about how to complete the online registration and application, please refer to the BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Technical Guide (PDF, 1MB).

Stage 2: Invitation

Eligible registrants under the EEBC — Skilled Worker and EEBC — International Graduate categories will receive an invitation to apply under the Express Entry BC stream.

Invitations are issued based on the BC PNP’s annual nomination allocation and processing capacity. However, registration does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply.

How will I be ranked?

We rank your registration score alongside other registrants in the same category. Your score is based on your job, its location in B.C. and your offered wage, as well as your work experience, education and language ability. Periodically, we conduct a draw to invite the highest-scoring registrants to apply.

How many people do you invite?

The number and frequency of invitations is based on annual nomination allocations set by IRCC. The number of invitations also depends on our ability to ensure timely processing of applications.

View current information about invitations to apply, including draw dates, number of invitations issued and minimum scores.

What happens next?

If you are invited to apply, you have up to 30 calendar days from the date of invitation to submit a complete application via BCPNP Online. An invitation to apply does not guarantee you will be approved for nomination.

What if I am not invited to apply?

We only invite the highest-scoring registrants from the selection pool. If you do not receive an invitation, you can take steps to improve your score. For example, you can improve your language skills or education level.

Stage 3: Application

Submit your Express Entry BC application through BCPNP Online.

After receiving an invitation to apply, EEBC — Skilled Worker and EEBC — International Graduate candidates can submit an application online. EEBC — HealthCare Professional and EEBC — International Post-Graduate applicants do not need an invitation, and can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

How do I submit an application?

You have 30 calendar days to apply through BCPNP Online. Your application requires a $700 processing fee. For more information about how to apply online, please refer to the BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Technical Guide (PDF, 1MB).

What happens next?

We will assess your application according to the Provincial Immigration Programs Act and Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation and the criteria specific to your Express Entry BC category. If approved, you will receive a nomination that you can use to apply for permanent residence. We may decline your application if your application details differ from your registration information.

Stage 4: Nomination

Receive a provincial nomination and apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

How does it work?

If your application is approved, we will nominate you to apply for permanent residence through the IRCC Express Entry system. You must accept the nomination through the IRCC Express Entry portal in order to receive a federal invitation to apply for permanent residence as a provincial nominee from IRCC.

What happens next?

You will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC. Please review the IRCC invitation to apply process. If IRCC approves your application, you will receive a Canadian permanent resident visa.

Working in B.C. during processing

A nomination by the BC PNP does NOT authorize you to work while IRCC is processing your application. If you want to work in B.C. during this period, you must ensure you have authorization to work while in Canada.

If you do not have a work permit, or your work permit has expired (or is about to expire), you must apply to IRCC for a work permit. The BC PNP cannot apply for a work permit on your behalf. However, we may be able to provide a work permit support letter for your application to IRCC.

View current IRCC processing times.

Obtaining a work permit support letter

We accept requests for work permit support letters from provincial nominees if ALL of the following are met:

• you have been nominated by the BC PNP
• you submitted your application to IRCC before your nomination certificate has expired
• you continue to meet the conditions of nomination
• your current work permit expires within 120 days

For more information on how to obtain a work permit, please review the BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Program Guide (PDF, 1MB).