Last Updated:April 8, 2025
What is the Skilled Worker Stream?
This stream is for experienced workers in a professional, management, technical, trade or other occupations to gain permanent residence in BC. Skilled and experienced workers are essential to supporting BC’s economic growth and addressing labour market needs.
Eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker Stream (Applicant)
Work experience
- You must have sufficient work experience to work in the offered position.
- You must have a minimum of two years of full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience in any skilled occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
Applicable skill levels (TEER)
Skill levels are defined within Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as follows:
| Skill level 0 | Business owners, corporate executives, and senior management |
|---|---|
| Skill level 1 | Specialized occupations that generally require a university or graduate-level degree |
| Skill level 2 | Skilled trades and mid-level management roles that generally require a college diploma or over two years of apprenticeship training |
| Skill level 3 | Mid-level technical positions that generally require a college diploma, less than two years of apprenticeship training, or more than six months of practical on-the-job training |
Educational background
- You must have at least a high school diploma or a higher level of education.
- You must have the necessary education or training required to work in the offered position.
Language proficiency
To be eligible, applicants must have scored at least CLB4 on an approved English or French language test taken within two years of their application.
| Test | Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB4 | IELTS | English | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| CELPIP | English | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| TEF Tests taken on or after December 11, 2023 |
French | 306-351 | 268-329 | 306-351 | 328-386 | |
| TEF Tests taken between October 1, 2019, and December 10, 2023 |
French | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | 300-349 | |
| TCF | French | 342-374 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 4-5 |
Job offer
- The job offer must be for a full-time, permanent position from an employer in the province.
- The offered wage must meet or exceed the BC median wage for the occupation.
- You must provide proof of language proficiency appropriate for the job offer.
| Job offer | Language score |
|---|---|
| For Skill level 0,1 | Not required |
| For Skill level 2,3 | A score of CLB4 or higher in English or French |
Intention to live in British Columbia
You must demonstrate that you have the intent to live, work and economically establish in BC.
In this category, receiving a nomination from the BC provincial government to IRCC significantly increases the chances of obtaining permanent residence.
Eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker Stream (Employer)
- The employer must demonstrate that they are contributing to BC’s economic growth.
- The company must have its headquarters and primary operations located in British Columbia.
- The company must have been established for at least one year.
- The employer must have at least 5 full-time employees (or 3 full-time employees if located outside the Vancouver metropolitan area).
- The employer must offer the applicant a full-time, permanent position and guarantee employment after the applicant obtains permanent residence.
- The offered position must be in a skilled occupation.
- The wage must meet or exceed the BC median wage for the occupation.
- The employer must make genuine efforts to recruit from the local labour market during the applicant’s work permit application process, or for at least 2 weeks prior to submitting the PNP application.
- The employer must demonstrate a genuine need for the position within their business.
If multiple applicants are applying under the same employer simultaneously or if the applicant has dependents, please contact Visa JP Canada in advance. Additionally, if the employer is located outside the Greater Vancouver area, there are preferential measures available. Feel free to inquire about these details as well.
Application process for the Skilled Worker Stream
01Register on the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) once the minimum requirements are met
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker Stream under BCPNP must register their profile on SIRS. Once the profile is registered, a score out of 200 points will be calculated based on the information provided, and the applicant will then be placed in the pool of candidates for selection.
02Receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA)
An Invitation To Apply (ITA) grants you the right to submit your application for BCPNP. Only after receiving an ITA can you proceed to submit your application to the BC provincial government. The BCPNP conducts regular draws, known as “drawings,” where candidates in the pool are selected based on their scores, with higher-ranking candidates receiving ITAs first. If you do not receive an ITA, you will remain in the selection pool for up to one year.
03Apply online for the BCPNP
Once you receive an ITA, both the applicant and the employer must complete and submit the online application to the BCPNP processing office within 30 days. This step is crucial to move forward in the nomination process.
04Receive a Nomination Certificate
Once the review at the BCPNP processing office is complete, the applicant will receive the results. Passing the review is referred to as being nominated.
05Apply for permanent residence to IRCC
After being nominated, the applicant must submit their permanent residence application online to IRCC within six months.
06Review by IRCC
After the permanent residence application is submitted and reviewed by IRCC, the applicant will receive a letter called the Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR), indicating that the review process is complete.
07Landing
Applicants from outside Canada will enter Canada with their Confirmation of Permanent Resident (CoPR). Applicants from within Canada can complete the landing process online.
08Receive your Permanent Resident (PR) card
Your PR card will be delivered to the designated address within Canada within a few months.
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