British Columbia’s Express Entry-linked immigration categories issued 3,100 nominations for Canadian permanent residence in 2018, a new report from the provincial government reveals.
Nearly 2,000 of these nominations went to candidates in the Express Entry B.C. (EEBC): Skilled Worker Category and another 936 went to international graduates of eligible post-secondary institutions in British Columbia through the EEBC: International Graduate Category.
The 3,100 nominations issued to Express Entry candidates through EEBC categories last year was an increase of 750 nominations over 2017 and accounted for 48 per cent of all nominations issued by the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) last year.
The Express Entry system is Canada’s principal source of skilled foreign workers. Canadian provinces and territories that participate in Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can nominate Express Entry candidates for Canadian permanent residence through specialized, “enhanced” nomination streams.
A nomination through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream results in an additional 600 ranking points and the recipient is effectively assured of an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The Government of Canada has a processing standard of six months for applications for Canadian permanent residence submitted through the Express Entry system.
The BCPNP’s EEBC Stream has four immigration categories that are linked to the Express Entry system:
- EEBC: Skilled Worker
- EEBC: International Graduate
- EEBC: International Post-Graduate
- EEBC: Healthcare Professional
To be considered for a nomination through the EEBC Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories, Express Entry candidates must register through the BCPNP’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).
Registrations are issued a score based on a variety of factors and entered into the pool of candidates and the highest-ranked are issued invitations to apply for a provincial nomination through regular draws from the pool.
The 1,987 nominations issued through the EEBC: Skilled Worker Category were an increase of 806 over 2017 and 1,188 over 2016.