Why British Columbia PNP?

Canadian provinces welcome skilled workers to migrate to the specific Canadian province and can fill the labor shortage. The program allows different provinces of Canada to nominate people from various provinces to settle and work in the country. British Columbia PNP is one of the programs of Provincial Nominee, which allows skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates to apply for Canada PR.

The following are the key features of British Columbia PNP:

• Inviting 55,000 immigrants in 2025
• More than 1 million job opportunities in the upcoming 10 years
• A Pathway toward Canada PR
• 18000+ tech job vacancies
• Can qualify even with a low CRS score
• More than 83,000 students migrated in 2024

About British Columbia

British Columbia is Canada’s westernmost province, situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered to the north by Yukon and the Northwest Territories, east by the province of Alberta, and south by Idaho, Washington, and Montana.

The province is well known for its natural beauty and diverse landscapes, including mountains, coastlines, lush forests, and deserts. It is also a popular destination for different outdoor activities and is famous for its 'First Nation Culture.'

British Columbia is the most loosely populated province in Canada, as almost 80% of its population lives in urban areas. Most of the residents of the province live in the metropolitan area of Vancouver. The capital city of British Columbia is Victoria.

The following are the other famous cities:

• Delta
• Vancouver
• Kelowna
• Surrey
• Burnaby
• Langley District Municipality
• Abbotsford
• Coquitlam
• Richmond

Types of Canadian Visas

Canada has various types of visas depending on the specific purpose of immigrants, such as family visas, tourist visas, work visas, student visas, etc. The following are the different types of visas you can apply for:

• Canada Work Visa
• Canada PR Visa
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Temporary Work Visa
• Global Skills Strategy
• Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP)
• Open Work Permit for US H-1B holders
• ICT Program
• Caregiver Visa
• International Experience Canada
• Student Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Business Visa
• Dependent Visa
• Super visa
• Parent Migration

Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a digital travel document for visa-exempt foreign nationals who wish to migrate to Canada via air. It is linked with the passport electronically. It is valid for 5 years.

Eligibility requirement for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The following are the eligibility requirements for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA):

• Must have a valid passport
• Must be a citizen of a visa-exempt country
• Have health insurance
• A clean criminal record
• Documents related to travel
• Passport size photographs
• A valid email address

Cost of Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The cost of the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada is $7.00 CAD.

Steps to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The following are steps to apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA):

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Step 2: Collect all the necessary documents

Step 3: Apply for the online application and submit the documents

Step 4: Complete the fee payment

Step 5: Wait for the approval

Canada Visitor Visa

A Canada Visitor Visa is a temporary visa that permits foreign nationals to visit the country and stay there for up to six months. It has two different categories based on the number of entry periods.

Single Entry Visa

A single-entry visitor visa will allow the holder to visit Canada only once and stay there for up to six months.

Multiple Entry Visa

A multiple-entry visitor visa permits its holder to visit the country for 3 to 6 months till the visa is valid. However, you are not allowed to work on this visa.

Benefits of a Canada Visitor Visa

• Can travel throughout Canada on a visit visa for free
• Can stay for up to six months
• Can take children and dependents along with you
• It can be extended to stay longer than 6 months
• Can apply for Canada PR

Eligibility criteria for the Canada Visitor Visa

The following are the eligibility criteria required for the Canada visitor visa:

• Valid travel documents
• Sponsors invitation letters
• Must have sufficient funds to cover the trip
• Must have an original and valid passport
• Must have two recently taken passport-sized photographs

Documents required for the Canada Visitor Visa

The following are the documents required for a visitor visa to Canada:

• Use of Representative (IMM 5476 form)
• Application for the Temporary Resident visa (IMM 5257)
• Family information form completed by applicants who are above 18 years old
• Must have authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
• Fee Payment
• A valid passport or travel document including:

• Passport number
• Proof of insurance and expiry dates
• Your photo, name, date, and birthplace

• Photograph of your marriage license or certificate
• Proof of having sufficient funds that you can support yourself and your family members
• Minors traveling alone or with single-parent must submit a letter of authorization or custody from another non-accompanying parent
• Other documents, if required by the visa office

Steps to apply for the Canada Visitor Visa

The following are the steps to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa:

Step 1: Check your eligibility requirements

Step 2: Gather all the required documents

Step 3: Submit all the necessary documents

Step 4: Apply for the visa and pay the visa fees

Step 5: Wait for your visa approval

Step 6: Travel to Canada

Cost of Canada Visitor Visa

The table below has the list of the fees for a Canada visitor visa:

Types of visa	Visa Fees (in CAD)
Visitor visa (including super visa) - per person	$100
Visitor visa – per family (1 fee per family of 5 or more people)	$500
Extend your stay as a visitor – per person	$100

 

Processing time of Canada Visitor Visa

The table below lists the processing time for a Canada visitor visa:

Types of visas	Processing time of the visas
Single Entry Visa	8 to 40 days
Multiple Entry Visa	8 to 40 days

*Willing to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa? Y-Axis is here to guide you!

Canada Permanent Residency

A Canada PR visa is a legal document that permits foreign individuals to live, stay, work, and study in Canada for an indefinite period. The following are the benefits of a Canada PR visa:

• Pathway toward Canadian Citizenship
• 1 Million job vacancies
• Inviting 3.85 lakh Canada PRs in 2025
• 1.1 million new PRs invited by 2027
• Can earn 5 to 8 times from current salary
• Benefits after retirement
• Can access to Universal Healthcare System
• Free education

Canada PR via Express Entry

Applicants who are applying for Canada PR through Express Entry must use a points-based selection system. There are three categories for the Express Entry System:

• Federal Skilled Workers Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Canada PR via PNP

There are almost 80 different types of PNPs in Canada, each with its own eligibility requirements.

The popular Provincial Nominee Programs for Canada PR visas are:

• Saskatchewan PNP
• Manitoba PNP
• Alberta PNP
• Ontario PNP
• New Brunswick PNP
• Nova Scotia PNP
• Prince Edward Island PNP
• British Columbia PNP

Canada PR via Family Sponsorship

Canada allows its permanent residents and citizens to sponsor their relatives and family members for a Canada PR visa. Through this program, common-law partners or spouses, parents, dependent children, and grandparents can be sponsored to come to Canada.

Requirements for Canada PR

The following are the required documents for Canada PR:

• Age must be below 40 years
• Proof of sufficient funds
• 67 points in Canada points grid
• IELTS/PTE Score
• Valid job offer in Canada
• Educational Credential Assessment

Eligibility Criteria for Canada PR

The following are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Canada PR:

• Age must be between 18-35 years
• Education qualification is equal to higher secondary education under Canadian standards
• Must have at least 1 year of work experience for full-time
• Must have at least 6 bands in the IELTS test
• Must have a valid job offer

Fees for Canada PR

The total fee for a Canada PR visa is CAD 2,500 – CAD 3,000. However, the cost varies based on the number of applicants.

Fees	In CAD
Your application	$1525
Your application (without the right of permanent residence fee)	$950
Include your spouse or partner
Processing fee ($950) and right of permanent residence fee ($575)	$1525
Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee)	$950
Include a dependent child	$260.00(per child)

 

Processing time for Canada PR

The processing time for the Canada PR is about 6 to 8 months.

British Columbia Visa Application and Processing

Role of Canada Visa Application Centers (CVAC)

Canada Visa Application Centers (CVAC) is authorized to support services for individuals applying for Canadian temporary resident visas, which include visitor, study, and work permits. The following are the functions of a Canada Visa Application Centre:

• Collection of biometrics
• Collection of supporting documents and applications
• Scheduling appointment
• Returning of passport
• Fees collection
• Processing of application review

Steps to find and apply through the CVAC center

The following are the steps to find and apply for a visa through the CVAC center:

Step 1: Apply from the IRCC website

Step 2: Book an appointment

Step 3: Submit your visa application

Step 4: Wait for your visa approval

List of Services

The following is the list of the services offered by the CVACs:

• Application assistance
• Scheduling appointment
• Submission of document
• Biometric collection
• Passport return

Cost of application center services

The cost of the application center services of CVAC is between CAD 25 to CAD 50.

British Columbia PNP Streams

Under British Columbia PNP, there are three main streams. These three streams are further divided into three categories. The following are the sub-categories are mentioned below:

Skills Immigration Stream

This stream is specifically for skilled workers, international graduates, post-graduate students, and healthcare professionals. The stream is again divided into five different categories:

Category	Job offer required?	Currently accepting applications?	Requirements
Skilled Worker	Yes (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3)	Yes	2 years of work experience as a skilled professional
Healthcare Professional	Yes	Yes	2 years of work experience as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, or allied health professional.
International Graduate	Yes	Yes	Should be graduated from a recognized university or college in the last three years.
International Post-Graduate	Not required	Yes	Should have a Master’s or PhD in the natural, applied, or health sciences programs of study from a British Columbia university.
Entry-level and Semi-skilled worker	Yes	Yes	Should have work experience in tourism or food processing or must be living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia

 

Express Entry British Columbia Stream

This stream allows specific applicants to get priority processing for their PR application in British Columbia. The table below consists of the different categories of the stream:

Category	Job offer required?	Currently accepting applications?	Requirements
Skilled Worker	Yes	Yes	2 years of work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3
Healthcare Professional	Yes	Yes	2 years of work experience as a physician, nurse, psychiatric nurse, allied health professional, or midwife with a confirmation letter from an established practice group in British Columbia.
International Graduate	Yes	Yes	Should be graduated from an eligible university or college in the last three years.
International Post-Graduate	No	Yes	Should have a Master’s or PhD from a B.C. university in the natural, applied, or health sciences programs of study.

 

Entrepreneur Immigration

This stream is specifically designed for the entrepreneur who wants to establish a business in British Columbia. This stream is divided into three types:

• Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category
• Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
• Strategic Projects Category

Steps to apply for BC PNP

The following are the steps to apply for the BC PNP:

Step 1: Check your eligibility criteria

Step 2: Choose the stream of BC PNP

Step 3: Gather all the necessary documents

Step 4: Apply for the BC PNP

Step 5: Fly to British Columbia, Canada

BC PNP Stream Processing Time

BC PNP stream	Processing time
Skills Immigration Stream	2 – 3 Months
Express Entry BC	2 – 3 Months
Entrepreneur Immigration Stream	4 Months

 

Immigration to British Columbia

• Business-friendly environment
• 60.8% employment rate
• High standard of living
• Moderate climatic condition
• A strong economy
• Abundant natural resources

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

British Columbia PNP is part of the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program, which offers a pathway towards Canada PR. BC PNP has three main streams.

In-demand Occupations in British Columbia

In-demand job roles	NOC Codes	Number of vacancies	Annual average salary
Payroll Administrators	NOC 13102	155	CAD $53,295 - $56,032
Information Systems Analysts and Consultants	NOC 21222	5,100	CAD $63,100 - $84,301
Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers	NOC 21230	2,380	CAD $85,572- $146,250
Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants	NOC 43,100	7,110	CAD $49,375- $58,500
Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale Trade	NOC 62100	3,110	CAD $66,739- $103,100
Underground Production and Development Miners	NOC 83100	570	CAD $83,424- $91,845

Visiting British Columbia

British Columbia is famous for its beautiful scenery and moderate climate. In Canada, it is the most diverse province. The following are the major visit points in the country:

• Niagara Falls and Northern Lights
• Spot 200,000 species like polar bears
• 48 parks to visit, including Banff and Jasper
• 5,000+ events yearly
• 20 World Heritage Sites
• 31,700 lakes, like Lake Louise
• 4,860 miles driving on the Trans-Canada Highway

Requirements for a Visitor Visa to visit British Columbia

The following are the requirements for a visitor visa to visit British Columbia:

• Use of Representative (IMM 5476)
• Application for the Temporary Resident visa (IMM 5257)
• Family information form completed by applicants who are above 18 years old
• Must have authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475)
• Proof of payment
• A valid passport or travel document including:

• Passport number
• Proof of insurance and expiry dates
• Your photo, name, date, and birthplace

• Photograph of your marriage license or certificate
• Proof of having sufficient funds that you can support yourself and your family members
• Minors traveling alone or with single-parent must submit a letter of authorization or custody from another non-accompanying parent
• Other documents, if required by the visa office

Tips for applying for an eTA to travel to British Columbia

The following are the tips for applying for an eTA to travel to British Columbia:

• Fill in all the necessary details
• Apply in advance to avoid processing delays
• Provide all the updated and accurate documents
• Keep a receipt of the fee payment
• Check for updates

Application Process for Canadian Visas

The following are the steps for the application process for Canadian Visas:

Step 1: Determine the type of visa you want to apply

Step 2: Check your eligibility criteria

Step 3: Gather all the necessary documents

Step 4: Submit the visa application online or through the visa application center

Step 5: Attend the interview after completing biometrics

Step 6: Pay the visa application fees

Step 7: Await for your visa approval

Step 8: Fly to Canada

Costs and Processing Times of British Columbia Canada

The table below has a list of the different types of visas and their required fees:

Types of visas	Visa Fees
eTA	CAD $7
Visitor Visa	CAD $100/ per person
PR application costs + additional fees	CAD $(950 +575 +240)
Provincial application Fees for BC PNP	CAD $1,475

 

Processing Times

The table below showcases the processing times of British Columbia PNP streams:

Types of visas	Processing Time
eTA	Immediately
Visitor Visa	8 to 40 days
PR visa	6 to 12 months

 

Required documents for British Columbia PNP

The following is the list of the general documents required for the British Columbia PNP:

• Must have a valid job offer
• Have at least two years of work experience
• English language proficiency test score
• Educational qualification
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of intention to live in the province
• A copy of your valid passport
• Two recently taken photographs
• Proof of accommodation

British Columbia Canada Important Dates and Updates

Latest British Columbia PNP draws 
 

Month	No. of draws	Total no. of Invitations
May	2	108
April	1	5
March	1	13
February	NA	NA
January	1	10

 

British Columbia PNP draws in 2024

 

Month	No. of draws	Total no. of Invitations
December	2	47
November	5	148
October	5	759
September	5	638
August	5	622
July	4	333
June	5	287
May	4	308
April	4	350
March	3	523
February	3	631
January	4	994

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

As the world’s No.1 overseas immigration consultancy, Y-Axis has been providing dedicated immigration assistance to its customers for more than 25 years. Our team of visa and immigration experts will provide end-to-end guidance for all your immigration needs:

• Analyzing your profile and suggesting the best-suited investment options for you
• Gathering the correct set of documents required for a successful visa application
• Advising on your overseas investment
• Get you updates and follow-ups on your visa application process
• Advising you on getting permanent residency in the country you have invested in.