British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program

Application Process

Before applying to the BC PNP, carefully review this section, the Requirements for Strategic Occupations, and the Application Forms. If you have any questions about eligibility, or the program, please contact us before you prepare or submit an application.

Remember that the employer and the nominee candidate (prospective employee) submit a joint application

If you are using a paid representative to prepare the application, this person must meet the requirements for Authorized Representatives

Applications for nominee candidates who have a valid work permit should be submitted at least 60 days before their permit expires.

Steps

1. Before submitting an application, please ensure that all necessary application forms have been completed and, where required, signed. Attach all relevant supporting documentation, and remember to include the $550 processing fee. The Application Checklist will help you assemble the application package.
    
2. Submit the application package by mail or courier – we do not accept applications by fax or email.
   
   Public health authorities must send applications for Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Physicians to Health Match BC
   
   All other applications must be sent directly to the BC PNP
   
   Please keep a copy of the application for your records.
    
3. When we receive an application package, we will check it for completeness. If everything is in order we will issue an official receipt and file number for your records.
   
   If the application package is incomplete, or does not include the processing fee, we will not create a file. We will return the application (and fee), together with a deficiency statement. You should resubmit the application when you have corrected the deficiencies.
    
4. The application will be assigned to a BC PNP representative who will review it according to the Requirements for Strategic Occupations and program priorities.
   
   You will be advised if more information is needed to support the application, and will have 15 business days to provide it. If you do not provide this information within 15 business days, your file will be closed. If you wish to proceed with the same application at a later date, you must resubmit it, and pay the application fee again.
    
5. If the application is approved, the next step is Nominee Certification
   
   If the application is rejected, you will receive a letter stating the reasons for this decision. You should not re-submit an application for the same position or nominee candidate without prior approval of the BC PNP. Nomination is at the sole discretion of the Province of BC, and there is no appeal process.

Nominee Certification

Once an application for nomination is approved, the BC PNP will do the following:

• Send a letter of acceptance and Confirmation of Acceptance to the nominee, or if applicable, to the authorized representative
• Send a copy of the letter of acceptance and Confirmation of Acceptance to the employer
• Send the Nomination Certificate and the nominee’s Information Release Form to the appropriate visa office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
• If required, send a letter to CIC supporting a work permit application by the nominee. This will allow the nominee to work legally for his or her employer in BC prior to finalization of the nominee’s application for permanent residence.

After receiving their BC PNP letter of acceptance, nominees are responsible for completing and submitting a complete permanent visa application to the appropriate visa office of CIC. This must be done within 180 days of the date on the Nomination Certificate.

Withdrawal of Provincial Nomination

The Province of BC may withdraw its Certificate of Nomination at any time prior to CIC issuing a Permanent Resident Visa if:

• The nominee or any accompanying dependent is deemed inadmissible by CIC for medical, security or criminality reasons
• The Province is advised that information provided in the nominee’s visa application is false or misrepresented
• The nominee leaves their employment in BC, changes employers or is deemed to be no longer living in BC.