Immigrating to B.C. may be easy for one candidate but may be difficult for another. It is therefore advisable to choose the stream that is right for you depending on your specific situation.

For example, if you have received a job offer in a skilled occupation in B.C. and you have an Express Entry profile, you may want to consider to apply for the Skilled Worker category under the Express Entry B.C. stream.

If you would like help in choosing the best way to immigrate to B.C., feel free to contact us.

The BC PNP is for skilled workers, entry level and semi-skilled workers, international graduates, international post-graduates and healthcare professionals.

You do not need to have an Express Entry profile to be eligible to immigrate to B.C. However, candidates typically need to have a job offer to be eligible to immigrate, unless you are applying as an international post-graduate. To do this, you must have graduated from an eligible university in B.C. with a Master’s or PhD in a natural, applied or health sciences program of study.

In addition, the province has three options for entrepreneurs who wish to start a business or acquire a business in B.C.

You must first identify which immigration stream and category you are eligible for. Once you do this, you must then register with the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) so that B.C. can review your job, education, location in B.C., language ability and wage against the provincial labour market needs.

You can register by completing all the sections of the registration with BCPNP Online.

If you are applying for the International Post-Graduate Category and the Healthcare Professional Category, you do not need to register with the SIRS, and you can apply directly through BCPNP Online.

You will then get a registration score based on multiple factors and are entered into a selection pool for the chosen category. Those who meet specific criteria and who have a score above a certain threshold are invited to apply for a provincial nomination in a provincial draw.

After that, candidates will have 30 days to apply through BCPNP Online.

If you are selected, you will receive a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system. You are required to accept the nomination through the Express Entry system.

If you receive a provincial nomination, you will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence with the Canadian government.

If you receive a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system, you are awarded an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This effectively guarantees that you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Getting a provincial nomination puts you in an excellent position when applying for permanent residence with IRCC.

IRCC will review your application and make sure you also pass an admissibility check to decide whether to grant you permanent residence.

The quality of life in B.C. is high. Residents of B.C. are friendly and welcoming. The province is very diverse, and many people from all over the world immigrate to the province every year.

Vancouver island has a mild climate with warm, dry summers, and wet and rainy conditions in the winter, fall and spring. It does not snow often. The weather is colder in Northern B.C.

The cost of living in B.C. depends on where you live. The province has its own cost-of-living-calculator that allows you to see the costs of healthcare, housing, taxes, utilities and transportation in the different areas of the province.

Vancouver island and the areas along the south coast have a mild climate with warm, dry summers, and wet and rainy conditions in the winter, fall and spring.

The coastal region have the mildest winters in Canada. It rarely drops below 0 degrees celsius and does not snow often.

The central regions of B.C. have warmer summers (up to 30 degrees celsius) and colder and snowier winters.

The weather is even colder in Northern B.C. and the winters are longer with lots of snow.

Yes. Areas along the south coast including Vancouver island have very mild winters. It rarely goes below 0 degrees celsius and does not snow very often.

Yes. For Canadians and permanent residents who live in B.C., the Medical Service Plan (MSP) is free.

This covers required medical services such as: doctors' fees, services provided by physicians and midwives, dental and oral surgery, eye exams and some orthodontic services. It also covers diagnostic services such as x-rays.

There are other services that may be covered like supplementary services provided by other health care providers. This includes: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry.

For more information on B.C.'s MSP, you are encouraged to visit this website.