British Columbia to pause PNP draws for a month

British Columbia will put a month-long hold on PNP drawings. As of November, the BC PNP will temporarily stop holding draws until the new NOC system is implemented. Between October 12 and November 16, 2022, British Columbia will stop holding drawings for the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). For several provinces, this wouldn't be unusual, but British Columbia normally holds PNP draws once a week.

To ensure a seamless transition for applicants, Provincial Nominee Programs throughout Canada may need to make some adjustments when Canada upgrades its National Occupation Classification (NOC) system—the first significant NOC update since 2016. Candidates for the BC PNP who have applications in the pool as of October 12 will be withdrawn, and they must reapply when the system reopens.

A candidate who receives an invitation on or before October 12 still has 30 days to submit their application, which will be assessed in accordance with NOC 2016 (the most recent) standards. According to the BC government, 80% of applications are expected to be processed within the service requirement of 3 months.

The pause is not always necessary. Candidates seeking under the Health Authority and International Post-Graduate categories may still submit their applications until November 13, 2022, and the province will continue to award ITAs under the Entrepreneur Immigration program.

Under NOC 2021, changes

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system in Canada plays a significant role in assessing applicants for economic class programs like Express Entry or a Provincial Nominee. These initiatives are aimed at talented immigrants who want to work in Canada.

To better understand the characteristics of the Canadian labor market, administer government initiatives, support skill development, carry out research, and assist Canada in managing its immigration and foreign worker programs, the NOC breaks out employment activities in Canada.

The federal government overhauls the system every ten years and changes the NOC around every five years. The NOC has undergone modifications that are a reflection of the labor market and economy in Canada. The current method under NOC 2016 divides occupations into four groups, ranging from management positions to low-skilled, and is based entirely on the sort of employment an applicant holds.

A new Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system will be used to classify jobs into six tiers under the new system. According to Statistics Canada, this new framework will give greater weight to a candidate's transferrable talents and competencies than to their professional experience.

In a targeted draw for tech jobs, the majority of applicants, 215, received invitations. Candidates from the categories of International Graduates and Skilled Workers, as well as Express Entry applicants, received invitations.

Candidates with minimum SIRS scores of 100 were invited to the target tech drawing. Similar to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), SIRS only applies to the PNP of British Columbia.

The following occupations were also the subject of invitation rounds from the province.

28 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) received at least 60 points, as well as 15 healthcare professionals who received at least 60 points from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level, and Semi-Skilled (including EEBC option) categories.

- entry-level and semi-skilled healthcare aides who have received a minimum score of 60;

- Other high-priority careers need at least a 60

Regarding the PNP

The PNP was created in 1998 to spread the advantages of immigration over the entire nation by encouraging newcomers to settle outside of urban areas in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Over 80,000 new permanent residents are now accepted into Canada each year thanks to the program. 

Candidates can submit their applications to provincial governments directly or through Express Entry (improved nomination). An Invitation to Apply from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is very likely if a candidate submits an application as part of their Express Entry program and is successful in receiving provincial nomination because they automatically receive an additional 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) (IRCC).

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