March 19, 2012

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Pilot

On March 15, 2012 the BC PNP launched a new pilot project in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to reduce processing times for select Federal Skilled Worker applicants.

The Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Pilot targets CIC clients who submitted their applications for permanent residence prior to February 27, 2008 and who have experience in a select group of high demand engineering, information technology and construction occupations.

Those who are invited to participate will receive a letter from CIC and will be eligible to submit an application to the BC PNP without a job offer from a BC employer.  The BC PNP will assess pilot project participants on their ability to become economically established in BC by considering a number of factors including age, education, work experience and English language ability.

Successful applicants will be issued a nomination certificate that will entitle them to expedited processing of their applications for permanent residence by CIC.  The BC PNP will issue up to 250 nomination certificates through the pilot.