On July 2, 2015, the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (“BC PNP“) re-launched with new program requirements and processes. The BC PNP remains divided into the Skills Immigration stream and the Entrepreneur Immigration stream. The most significant changes to the BC PNP include: Introducing an online application process with an electronic payment system; Streamlining the Business … Read More
Judicial Reviews of BC PNP Decisions
An interesting aspect of judicial review is that provincial courts show much more deference to provincial nomination programs than the Federal Court does of visa officers. Here are some key passages of two British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program judicial reviews. Chaudan v. British Columbia (Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training), 2016 BCSC 2142 This … Read More
Summary of June 26 Changes to BC PNP Guide
On June 26, 2018 the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (the “BC PNP”) clarified and/or modified several aspects of its programs. Skilled Immigration The more significant revisions that applicants and practitioners should be aware of are: Previously, applicants to the BC PNP – Skilled Worker programs, and their spouses, could not have a combined ownership … Read More
Summary of November 1 Changes to BC PNP Guide
On November 1, 2017 the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (the “BC PNP”) clarified and/or modified several aspects of its programs. Skilled Immigration The more significant revisions that applicants and practitioners should be aware of are: The International Graduates and International Post-Graduate programs have long excluded graduates from distance education programs from being eligible. As … Read More
BC PNP September 1 Changes
On September 1, 2016, the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (“BC PNP“) published changes to its program guide. Here is a summary of the changes. Topic Original Change Representatives If you are invited to apply and your employer is using a representative, your employer must also complete their own use of representative form, even if … Read More
The BC PNP Skills Immigration Programs in 2016
On January 27, 2016, the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program (“BC PNP“) re-opened its Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC programs, and introduced the Skills Immigration Registration System. The Skills Immigration Registration System is an expression of interest system to manage BC PNP Skills Immigration application intake. It is similar to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship … Read More
Western Canada PNP’s Reach Intake Threshold
With four months remaining in the year, both British Columbia’s and Alberta’s provincial nomination programs have announced that they are full. The ability of both provinces to meet the demands of their employers to retain foreign national employees on a permanent basis is clearly being cut off at the knees by federal quotas that appear … Read More
Should I Do BC PNP or CEC?
After the work experience requirement for the Canadian Experience Class went from two-years to one, many people have been asking whether they should apply for the BC PNP – Strategic Occupations – Skilled Workers program or the Canadian Experience Class. The following table shows some of the issues that applicants should be aware with each … Read More
BC PNP Suspends Fast-Track Option
Demonstrating once again why it is important for representatives to contain “change of law” clauses in their retainer agreements, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (“BC PNP“) has effective immediately suspended the Fast Track nomination option in the business immigration stream. The suspension will affect applications in processing. Applicants with applications in processing who as of … Read More