British Columbia will launch three new International Graduate PNP streams next year

Three new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams will open in 2025 for eligible recent graduates from Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs in British Columbia (B.C.).

In January 2025, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) will launch the following International Graduate streams:

• Bachelor’s Stream
• Master’s Stream
• Doctorate Stream

Note: International graduates include individuals who have earned a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution within the past three years. Full eligibility criteria for the BCPNP’s International Graduate streams are provided below.

These new streams are designed to provide clearer pathways for international graduates to achieve Canadian permanent residence (PR) while enhancing their employment opportunities across British Columbia.

What has British Columbia revealed about the new streams so far?

The provincial government in B.C. has shared the following key details about the new streams being introduced under its PNP in 2025:

• Launch Date: January 2025
• Language Requirement: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 8 will be required for all three streams.
• Eligibility: Graduates of diploma and certificate programs will not qualify for these new streams but may still be eligible for other BCPNP pathways.

The following sections will detail the eligibility criteria, features, and benefits of each upcoming stream based on the information available so far.

Note: More detailed criteria for these streams will be released in late 2024. B.C. has announced that an updated version of the BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide will be published at the time of launch, providing full stream details.

Bachelor’s Stream

• Targeted at recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree from an eligible post-secondary institution.
• Applicants must have a full-time, indeterminate job offer (without a declared end date) in an eligible position.

Master’s Stream

• Open to recent graduates with a Master’s degree (in any field) from eligible post-secondary institutions.
• Applicants must have a full-time job offer lasting at least one year in a skilled occupation.

Doctorate Stream

• Designed for graduates and PhD candidates from doctoral-level programs at eligible post-secondary institutions.

Key Details About the New BCPNP Streams

• Job Offer Restrictions: The new streams will not be confined to a list of eligible occupations. However, all job offers must meet the criteria established for B.C.'s three new streams.
• Program Restrictions: There will be no approved program list, meaning graduates from degree programs in any field of study can qualify, provided they meet the required criteria.
• Competition for ITAs: Each credential type (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate) will have its own stream. This ensures that applicants will only compete with others who hold the same type of degree, preventing competition between applicants with different credentials.

Am I Eligible for B.C.’s International Graduate Stream?

While each new stream will have specific requirements, the following section outlines the general eligibility criteria for all BCPNP International Graduate streams.

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

To qualify for B.C.’s International Graduate stream, candidates must:

1. Education:
   • Have earned a degree, diploma, or certificate from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution within the last three years.
2. Job Offer:
   • Hold a full-time job offer from a B.C. employer that meets the following conditions:
     • Indeterminate Employment: The job offer must have no defined end date, except in cases of priority technology occupations.
     • Eligible NOC Categories: The job offer must fall within the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 1, 2, or 3.
     • Excluded NOC Category: NOC TEER 0 occupations are not eligible for this stream.
3. Qualifications:
   • Be qualified to work in the specified occupation in British Columbia.
4. Wages:
   • Receive a wage offer that aligns with B.C.’s standard wage rates for the position.
5. Financial Support:
   • Demonstrate the ability to support themselves and any eligible dependents.
6. Language Proficiency:
   • Meet the minimum language requirements, recently increased for all BCPNP streams except the Health Authority stream.

Employer Requirements:

• Employers must agree to support the candidate’s application and meet specific employer-focused criteria.

Key Information About Skills Immigration in British Columbia

Skills Immigration, including the BCPNP, operates under a points-based system that ranks and selects candidates based on eligibility.

• Application Process:
  • Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the BCPNP have 30 calendar days to submit their application, pay the required fee, and provide all necessary documentation.
• Points System:
  • Scores are calculated based on human capital and economic factors.
    • Human Capital Factors: Relevant work experience and proficiency in Canada’s official languages (English or French).
    • Economic Factors: The wage offered in the candidate’s B.C. job and the employment location within the province.