BC PNP Draw held on 16 October, 2024

British Columbia’s newest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw took place on October 16, 2024, as part of the province’s ongoing efforts to lure in businesses and talented individuals. By attracting foreign workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs who can boost the province’s economy, the BC PNP is a crucial immigration route intended to assist British Columbia in meeting its labour market demands.

In the October 16 draw, a total of 189 invitations were issued across different streams. The draw targeted various categories under the BC PNP Skills Immigration program, which aims to address labour shortages in high-demand occupations across the province.

Draw Summary

In the most recent BC PNP general draw, 102 invitations were extended to candidates in both the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including those in the Express Entry categories. Notably, the minimum cutoff score decreased by one point compared to the previous draw.

Additionally, 38 invitations were issued to applicants with experience as early childhood educators or assistants (NOC 42202). Another 28 invitations were given to candidates with backgrounds in 39 healthcare-related occupations.

In British Columbia’s newest category-based draw, which was introduced in late 2023, 21 invitations went to individuals with experience in 25 construction-related jobs.

Full Details of Latest BC PNP Draw: October 16

Comparison Between October 16 and October 8

The BC PNP draws held on October 16 and October 8, 2024, show several key differences and similarities. In the October 16 draw, a total of 102 invitations were issued in the general draw for Skilled Workers and International Graduates, both for the regular and Express Entry streams, with a minimum score of 127.

In comparison, the October 8 draw issued 44 invitations for early childhood educators at the same minimum score of 83 as of October 16. The construction category received 25 invitations, with a score of 89, while healthcare-related profiles saw 21 invitations, also maintaining the minimum score of 99. A major difference in the October 8 draw was the inclusion of a tech-specific category, which saw 83 invitations at a score of 116, whereas the October 16 draw did not feature a tech-targeted draw. Both draws issued less than five invitations for veterinary care occupations, with a consistent minimum score of 80.

Healthcare Occupation 

1. 30010 Managers in health care
2. 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
3. 31101 Specialists in surgery
4. 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
5. 31110 Dentists
6. 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
7. 31120 Pharmacists
8. 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
9. 31200 Psychologists
10. 31201 Chiropractors
11. 31202 Physiotherapists
12. 31203 Occupational therapists
13. 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
14. 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
15. 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
16. 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
17. 31302 Nurse practitioners
18. 31303 Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
19. 32101 Licensed practical nurses
20. 32102 Paramedical occupations
21. 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
22. 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
23. 32110 Denturists
24. 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
25. 32112 Dental technologists and technicians
26. 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
27. 32121 Medical radiation technologists
28. 32122 Medical sonographers
29. 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
30. 32124 Pharmacy technicians
31. 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
32. 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
33. 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
34. 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
35. 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
36. 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
37. 41300 Social workers
38. 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialised therapist
39. 42201 Social and community service workers

Construction Occupations

1. 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists 
2. 72102 Sheet metal workers
3. 72103 Boilermakers
4. 72104 Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters
5. 72105 Ironworkers
6. 72106 Welders and related machine operators
7. 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
8. 72201 Industrial electricians
9. 72300 Plumbers
10. 72301 Steamfitters, pipefitters, and sprinkler system installers
11. 72302 Gas fitters
12. 72310 Carpenters
13. 72311 Cabinetmakers
14. 72320 Bricklayers
15. 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
16. 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
17. 72402 Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
18. 72500 Crane operators
19. 73100 Concrete finishers
20. 73101 Tilesetters
21. 73102 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers, and lathers
22. 73110 Roofers and Shinglers
23. 73111 Glaziers
24. 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
25. 73113 Floor covering installers

What to Expect Next?

British Columbia continues to conduct regular draws under its PNP program, with a focus on high-demand occupations and priority sectors. The BC PNP has evolved to meet the province’s changing needs, offering targeted draws to address specific labour market gaps.

Candidates who receive an invitation to apply (ITA) through the BC PNP can then apply for Canadian permanent residency, helping them secure a future in one of Canada’s most attractive provinces for skilled immigrants.

Maintaining an active Expression of Interest (EOI) profile and raising your score through experience or language learning can greatly increase the likelihood that you will be invited to subsequent draws.

When is the next Draw 

The draw occurs once every week, targeting key occupations that have labour shortages. You can expect another BC PNP draw on 23rd October, 2024.

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