Important changes to the BC PNP for international students
Effective January 1, 2025, the BC PNP will undergo significant changes to its streams for international graduates and language requirements.
- New streams for international graduates:
Three new streams based on educational level:
- Master’s Stream:
– Open to all fields of study.
– Requires at least one year of work experience in a skilled occupation.
– Requires a valid professional registration.
- Bachelor’s Stream:
– For recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree from eligible post-secondary institutions.
– Open to those with an indeterminate full-time job offer.
=> Indeterminate full-time job: Minimum 30 hours per week with no end date to the contract.
- Doctoral Stream:
– For recent graduates and candidates of doctoral programs from eligible post-secondary institutions.
– Open to PhD graduates and PhD candidates.
- Diploma or certificate graduates: Not eligible for the new streams but can apply through other BC PNP streams.
- Language requirements:
– Increased across all BC PNP streams (except the Health Authority stream).
– Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 tentatively set as the minimum for the new graduate streams.
- Objectives of these changes:
– Create clearer pathways to permanent residency for international students.
– Ensure alignment with the labor market needs of British Columbia.
- For more information:
– Refer to the Information Bulletin on the British Columbia Government News website.
– Read the News Release on WelcomeBC.
– Detailed information on the new streams’ criteria will be available in late 2024.
- Notes:
– These changes will take effect on January 1, 2025.
– BC PNP will continue to issue invitations to apply to those with job offers in certain priority programs.
Stay updated on the latest changes to the BC PNP program!
