The province of British Columbia announced that it is extending the Tech Pilot plan to fast-track the immigration process for many tech employees on June 4.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program’s (BC PNP) Tech Pilot has been extended to June 2021. The pilot offers foreign tech workers who have job offers in one of 29 eligible occupations in B.C. a pathway to permanent residence.
The job offer must be for a minimum of one year, and at the time of application, there must be at least 120 days left.
The BC PNP holds Tech Pilot draws nearly every week to minimize the waiting for workers and their B.C. Employers, both of whom must meet eligibility requirements for the program.
B.C. Prioritizes Tech Pilot applications. When the workers submit a full application, their file will be transferred over the next business day to a dedicated Tech Pilot processing team.
Tech Pilot applications are typically processed more quickly than other BC PNP programs, most of which take 2-3 months after the receipt of applications, the government webpage says.
Process for BC PNP Tech Pilot
Immigration candidates must first create a profile through the BC PNP online portal and register under its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) in order to apply through the Tech Pilot. They have to choose to move either through the categories Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC Immigration.
The BC PNP will then conduct the draws and declare minimum score criteria for applicants for a provincial nomination.
Candidates who are accepted will have 30 calendar days to apply for nomination.
The application will then be reviewed by the BC PNP giving priority to Tech Pilot candidates.
If the application is approved, the candidate may then make use of the nomination with the federal government for a Canadian immigration application. Nominees receive a letter of support for work permits that will enable them to work throughout the process of obtaining permanent residence.
