Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)

On January 27, 2016, the government of British Columbia announced a new Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) for the BC PNP. This points-based system gives candidates a registration score that determines whether they may be invited to apply. The score is based on a number of factors such as level of education, years of direct work experience, and a B.C. employment offer that reflects an individual’s ability to succeed in the labor market and contribute to the provincial economy.

How does the SIRS work?

To apply for most BC PNP immigration categories, potential candidates must first register for free to the SIRS by completing all sections of the online registration. An offer of indeterminate, full-time employment from a B.C. employer is necessary before registering to the SIRS.

Candidates may proceed with the registration if they and their employer meet the program requirements and the employer is prepared to support the application process. Once registration is complete, a candidate is assigned a registration score based on an assessment of the offer of employment, location in B.C., education, language ability, and wage.

By registering to the SIRS, candidates are making an expression of interest to apply to the BC PNP for a provincial nomination; they are not yet applying for permanent residence. 

A candidate's registration score determines whether or not a candidate will be issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. Periodically, the BC PNP conducts draws to invite the highest-scoring registrants under each category to apply for a provincial nomination.

Please note the following BC PNP categories do not require candidates to register to the SIRS. Individuals interested in applying to these categories may apply directly via BC PNP Online.

Skills Immigration - Health Care Professional

Skills Immigration - International Post-Graduate

Registration into the SIRS is not an application to the BC PNP or a guarantee that a candidate will be invited to apply.

If a candidate is invited to submit an application to the BC PNP, he or she will then be asked to pay a fee as part of the online application process.

The BC PNP reserves the right to make changes to the SIRS without prior notice, including changes to the scoring grids, the length of time registration can remain in the selection pool, and the number and frequency of invitations to apply issued.

A candidate's registration will be assessed according to the scoring factors applicable at the time of submission.

BC Healthcare Professional prioritizes the nomination of immigrants who have an offer of employment from a public health authority in BC and who will be able to make lasting contributions in the healthcare labor sector.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the BC Healthcare Professional program will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates do not require an Express Entry profile to be eligible for this stream. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing.

Job Offer

Candidates must have a valid job offer for full-time, indeterminate employment from a BC public health authority as a healthcare professional.

Employer Requirements

In order for an applicant to apply to most BC Skills Immigration programs, they must have a valid job offer from a BC employer. Under these programs, the employers must meet certain general requirements in order for their job offers to be considered valid.  

Job Offer Requirements

The employer must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards. As well, the position must meet BC’s minimum wage requirements as per the applicant’s annual wage, location of residence in BC, and a number of dependent family members.  

Business Requirements

The business must be established and in good standing in British Columbia with a history of good workplace and business practices. The business must also meet minimum employee requirements:

- Inside Vancouver: At least five full-time employees.

- Outside Vancouver: At least three full-time employees.

Recruitment Requirements

The employer must demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to recruit a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering the position to a foreign national. Notably, under the BC PNP, employers are not required to obtain an (LMIA) in order for their positions to be valid.

Only the following occupations qualify under the Healthcare Professional stream: 

Notably:

The BC PNP job offer does not need to be supported by a (LMIA).  

Candidates do not require an Express Entry

The British Columbia International Graduate stream is one of several immigration streams contained within the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of British Columbia. BC International Graduate prioritizes the nomination of immigrants who have an offer for skilled employment and who have completed post-secondary education in Canada.

- Program Requirements 
- Employer Requirements 
- Application Procedure 
- British Columbia Skills Immigration Ranking System 
- British Columbia International Graduate - Recent Draws & Invitation History 

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the BC International Graduate program will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates do not require an Express Entry profile to be eligible for this stream. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing. Candidates with experience in certain tech occupations may be eligible for accelerated processing and other benefits through the BC Tech Pilot.

Program Requirements 

To be eligible Requirement

To be eligible for the BC International Graduate stream, candidates do not require an Express Entry profile. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for this stream and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing.  

Job Offer

Candidates must have a valid job offer for full-time, indeterminate employment from a BC employer. The wages for the position must be competitive when compared to average provincial wages for the occupation. The offer of employment must be for work at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B. Notably, the BC PNP job offer does not need to be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

*If you are applying through the BC Tech Pilot, job offer requirements will vary.  

Language Proficiency

Candidates with a job offer at National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Level B must provide language test results proving English or French language proficiency at CLB 4 or higher. Candidates with job offers at NOC Skill Level 0 or A are exempt from the language proficiency requirement.  

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed a post-secondary educational credential in Canada in the past three years. Note that if the candidate has completed a graduate degree at an eligible institution in BC they may be eligible for the BC International Post-Graduate stream.  

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least two (2) years of work experience in the same occupation as the BC job offer. The candidate must also have any qualifications required to perform the job in BC.  

 Employer Requirements

In order for an applicant to apply to most BC Skills Immigration programs, they must have a valid job offer from an eligible BC employer. Under these programs, the employers must meet certain general requirements in order for their job offers to be considered valid.  

Job Offer Requirements

The employer must offer a full-time, indeterminate position with a wage that meets industry standards. As well, the position must meet BC’s minimum wage requirements as per the applicant’s annual wage, location of residence in BC, and a number of dependent family members.  

Business Requirements

The business must be established and in good standing in British Columbia with a history of good workplace and business practices. The business must also meet minimum employee requirements:

Inside Vancouver: At least five full-time employees.

Outside Vancouver: At least three full-time employees.

Recruitment Requirements

The employer must demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to recruit a Canadian to fill the position prior to offering the position to a foreign national. Notably, under the BC PNP, employers are not required to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in order for their positions to be valid.

The British Columbia International Post- Graduate stream is one of several immigration streams contained within the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of British Columbia. BC International Post- Graduate prioritizes the nomination of immigrants who have recently completed graduate-level education from an eligible British Columbia institution.

Candidates who are successfully nominated through the BC International Graduate program will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates do not require an Express Entry profile to be eligible for this stream. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing. Candidates with experience in certain tech occupations may be eligible for accelerated processing and other benefits through the BC Tech Pilot.

Program Requirement 

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for the BC International Post-Graduate stream, candidates do not require an Express Entry profile. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for this stream and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing.

Connection to British Columbia

Candidates must have completed a master’s or doctorate degree from one of BC’s eligible institutions in one of BC’s eligible programs. 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed at least a master’s or doctorate degree in British Columbia.