British Columbia will open three new international graduate PNP streams. These streams will be available for graduates from Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate programs in this province in 2025.

In January 2025, the British Columbia PNP seeks to introduce the following streams under the Provincial Nominee Program for international graduates:

  • Bachelor’s Stream
  • Master’s Stream
  • Doctorate Stream

Overall, international graduates are those with a degree, certificate or diploma from a qualifying Canadian post-secondary institution within the past three years. In addition, these streams have an objective to develop pathways for international graduates to acquire permanent residence and enhance their job prospects in the province.

British Columbia will open new international graduate PNP streams

British Columbia’s provincial government has revealed the following details about the new PNP streams that will open in 2025:

  • Block the calendar, as these streams will be launched in January 2025. 
  • The revised language requirement for each new stream will be a minimum of CLB 8. 
  • Diploma and certificate program graduates will now qualify for these new streams but might be eligible for B.C. Provincial Nominee Program pathways. 

Furthermore, British Columbia revealed its intention to provide more details and the eligibility conditions for each stream in the latter part of 2024. The province observed that the launch of new graduate streams will also bring forth a revised version of the BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide with the latest criteria for each stream. 

Bachelor’s stream

  • This stream will be applicable to Bachelor’s degree graduates from eligible post-secondary institutions. 
  • Qualifying graduates must possess a full-time, eligible, and indeterminate job offer (devoid of a scheduled end date). 

Master’s Stream

  • Graduates who have recently completed their Master’s degrees in any study field from qualifying post-secondary institutions.
  • Graduates must possess a full-time employment offer with a minimum experience of one year in an in-demand skilled occupation.

Doctorate Stream

  • This stream is applicable for PhD and graduate candidates in doctorate-level programs from qualifying post-secondary institutions. 

Additional details about the available three new international graduate PNP streams

  • Job offer limitations: The three new British Columbia PNP streams discussed above will not be restricted to the eligible occupation’s list. Moreover, the province made it clear that despite the non-limitation of the job offers, employment offers will still remain essential to fulfill the criteria for B.C’s new streams.
  • Approved program restrictions: B.C.’s new streams will not adhere to any approved program list. Furthermore, it indicates that those who have recently graduated from degree programs in any study field might qualify for the new student streams as long as they fulfill the essential criteria. 
  • Absence of any competency between candidates for invitations: The province’s government stated that each credential type, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate) will have distinct streams for eligible candidates. This will ensure the absence of any competency between applicants with different credentials for invitations to apply. In short, the Bachelor’s stream candidates will be acknowledged alongside other candidates with a Bachelor’s degree. 

Eligibility for British Columbia’s International Graduate PNP Stream

Each new stream will have separate eligibility requirements; the following will depict the general eligibility conditions for all British Columbia PNP international graduate streams. To qualify via British Columbia’s International Graduate Stream, candidates must possess the following:

  • Have acquired a degree, diploma, or certificate from a qualifying post-secondary institution in Canada within the past three years.
  • Have accepted an eligible full-time job offer from British Columbia’s employer. However, the other conditions related to the job offer include:
  • No defined end date for a job offer.
  • No indeterminate job offers if it is related to a priority technology occupation.
  • The job offer must be under the NOC TEER categories 1, 2, and 3. 

Note: NOC TEER 0 occupations don’t fall under the eligibility for the International Graduate Stream.

  • Candidates must be eligible to work in their desired occupation in B.C.
  • Hold a wage offer equivalent to the wage rate in B.C. for the job they will be working.
  • Demonstrate the capability to assist themselves and any qualifying dependents.
  • Fulfill minimum language requirements.

British Columbia recently agreed to increase the minimum language requirement for all BC PNP streams. However, the Health Autonomy Stream under BC PNP is an exception, as this has already been altered.

Note: The employer must be positive about supporting a candidate’s application while they fulfill specific employer-centric requirements.

Skills Immigration in B.C.

Skills Immigration, which possesses the BC Provincial Nominee Program, operates through a point-based system to rank and choose qualifying immigration candidates. Candidates with an invitation to apply via the BC PNP have a period of thirty days for the submission of applications to the province.

After the applicant submits their application, they must make the payment and submit all essential documents.

The BC PNP assigns scores to candidates through a points-based system, depending on human capital and economic factors. Human capital factors include work experience and language skills in either French or English. Conversely, economic factors involve the candidate’s wages in the B.C. job offer and the candidate’s job location in British Columbia.

Our immigration representatives at NavaImmigration have immense knowledge related to Canadian immigration. To clarify your doubts or queries, you may write to us at [email protected].