Work Permits
BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
For Employers willing to assist the prospective employee with obtaining permanent resident status, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides a way to obtain both a work permit and permanent resident status. This program can be used for a prospective employee (living outside of Canada) or a current employee who is already in Canada working under a valid work permit.
Applies to:
- Accountants (NOC 1111)
- Counsellors – Family/Youth (NOC 1111)
- Counsellors – Career (NOC 4213)
- Early Childhood Educators (NOC 4214)
- Occupational Therapists (NOC 3143)
- Physiotherapists (NOC 3142)
- Psychologists (NOC 4151)
- Purchasers (NOC 6233)
- Special Education Assistants (NOC 6472)
- Special Education Teachers (NOC 4215)
- Speech Language Pathologists (NOC 3141)
- Superintendents (NOC 0313)
- Managers (NOC 0721)
- Skilled Trades (NOC 7251 NOC 7294, NOC 7313, NOC 7241, NOC 7271)
The BC PNP process involves both the provincial government and the federal government’s immigration departments and includes:
- A BC PNP Application package to the BC PNP office
- The application package includes BC PNP specific forms and documents as well as copies of the Federal permanent resident application forms.
- A work permit application to Immigration
- Once approved as a BC Provincial Nominee, the employee may apply for the work permit at the Canadian Consulate or Place of entry, depending on their citizenship and situation.
- A permanent resident application to Immigration
- Originals of the Federal permanent resident application forms and supporting documents, along with the BC PNP approval are submitted to the appropriate Canadian Consulate.
- Police checks and medical exams will follow as part of this process
Prospective employees assist with the process by:
- completing the BC PNP forms relating to the nominee
- completing the Federal immigration forms, also listed in the above link
- providing supporting documents, such as:
- Resume
- Copies of relevant degrees/diplomas
- Copy of passport
- Copy of birth certificate
- Submitting the work permit application at the Canadian Consulate or place of entry, depending on applicant’s citizenship and situation
- Undergoing police checks and medical exams
Processing time
- The BC PNP application will take 1-2 months to process.
- Work permit applications will vary depending on where the application is made.
- Citizens of visa-required countries must apply at a Canadian Consulate outside Canada.
- Each Consulate has its own process and may take anywhere from 7 to 60 days.
- Citizens of visa-exempt countries have a choice of where to apply.
- He/she may apply upon entry to Canada and receive the work permit on the same day.
- These citizens may also apply at the closest Canadian Consulate.
- Permanent residence application processing will vary and may take anywhere from 9-18 months.
