BC PNP – Skills Immigration – Healthcare Professional

What is BC PNP – Skills Immigration – Healthcare Professional?

Health care professionals, including physicians, specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals, are in high demand across British Columbia. The Health Care Professionals stream under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration is tended to nominate qualified applicants for a Canadian work permit and Permanent Residence. 

The program also allows foreign nationals to apply with processing times that are faster than other Canadian immigration classes.

Health Match BC

Health Match BC is free health recruitment and placement service. Applicants are encouraged to use this platform to find a job in their field with one of B.C.’s health authorities. Health Match BC staff can also assist you with the coordination of the necessary application documentation.

You can find them through their website Health Match BC

Eligibility

To meet the requirements for the Health Care Professional Category, eligible applicants must:

1. Job offer

The job offer for Healthcare Professional of B.C. Skills Immigration must be of one of the following occupations:

• Physician
• Specialist
• Registered nurse
• Registered psychiatric nurse
• Nurse practitioner  
• Allied health professional such as a:
  • Diagnostic medical sonographer
  • Clinical pharmacist
  • Medical laboratory technologist
  • Medical radiation technologist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Physiotherapist

Or

• Midwife:
• Must have a letter of confirmation from an established practice group in B.C.  
• Must be registered, or eligible to be registered, with the College of Midwives of British Columbia (https://www.cmbc.bc.ca/). The letter must be on the official letterhead and signed by the applicant and the head of the practice group.

Positions that require the employee to spend the majority of time outside of B.C. do not qualify.

A written offer of employment on an official company letterhead from your employer is also a requirement for your application’s assessment.

The letter must be: 

• Signed and dated by an employee, or owner, of the company who is authorized to hire employees 
• Signed and dated by you confirming that you accept the job offer 

The offer of employment must include: 

• Job title and duties 
• Rate of pay 
• Standard hours of work 
• Indeterminate, full-time position (at least an average of 30 hours a week, year-round) 
• Any discretionary benefits in addition to those required by law (pension and medical plans, disability insurance, sick pay, accommodation and meal allowances, and extra paid vacations) 
• A reference to the agreement if the position is covered by a collective agreement

Your employer cannot make any deductions from your pay or require any fees for recruitment or retention, or fee that is normally paid by the employer. 

2. Qualification to perform job duties

You must be qualified for the offered position. The BC PNP may refer to the National Occupational Classification (NOC), WorkBC or industry standards to determine the minimum qualifications for that occupation. 

3. Work experience

The BC PNP defines directly related work experience as paid employment under the same NOC code as the B.C. job offer accepted by the applicant. 

Experience in a related occupation at a NOC skill level equal to or greater than the NOC skill level of the B.C. job offer may also be considered if the applicant can demonstrate how this work experience is directly related to the skilled occupation.

If the offered position requires mandatory certification, licensing or registration, you must provide documentation at the time of application to the BC PNP, showing that you meet these requirements, or how it will shortly be met. This experience may be from work performed within Canada or abroad.

4. Settlement fund

You must demonstrate the ability to meet minimum income requirements and pay for housing and living expenses in B.C. according to your:

• The annual wage in B.C.
• Location of residence in B.C.
• The number of dependents

The following are the minimum income thresholds depending on family size. Bonuses, commissions, tips, living allowances, or overtime in the calculation of the annual wage.

Greater Vancouver Regional District:

1 person: $22,804 CAD

2 persons: $28,390 CAD

3 persons: $34,902 CAD

4 persons: $42,376 CAD

5 persons: $48,062 CAD

6 persons: $54,205 CAD

7 persons or more: $60,350 CAD

Rest of B.C.

1 person: $19,006 CAD

2 persons: $23,659 CAD

3 persons: $29,087 CAD

4 persons: $35,316 CAD

5 persons: $40,054 CAD

6 persons: $45,175 CAD

7 persons or more: $50,296 CAD

5. Eligibility for legal immigration status 

The BC PNP will not consider applicants whose situation below:

• Prohibited from entering Canada;
• Currently in Canada and are out of status. If an applicant’s status has expired and he or she cannot demonstrate that they have applied for a restoration of status within 90 days, the applicant will be considered out of status. 
• Currently working in Canada without authorization;
• Have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada; or
• Under a removal order in or outside of Canada.

6. Language requirement

For occupations classified as NOC level B, applicants must demonstrate sufficient language proficiency in English or French by submitting language test results with a minimum score equal to or greater than a benchmark 4 under the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

A benchmark score of 4 is considered Basic Proficiency and means that you can: 

• Communicate basic needs and personal experience 
• Follow, with considerable effort, simple formal and informal conversations 
• Read a simple set of instructions in plain language 
• Write short messages, postcards, notes or directions

For occupations classified as NOC level 0 or A, no language test results are necessary unless you are claiming points for language. The BC PNP, however, may require valid language test results at its discretion to determine whether you have the language proficiency to perform the duties of the position. 

If you are claiming points for language under the registration system, you must provide a copy of your language test results at the time of application, regardless of the NOC skill level of your B.C. job offer. 

The valid language test results must be from one of the following designated testing agency:

 The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training

• The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General) 
• The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

Test results will be considered valid for two years from the date of issuance. They must be valid at the time of registration and application.

7. Wage offer 

The wage stated on your offer of employment must be at market rate and comparable to other workers with a similar level of experience and training for equivalent jobs in B.C. Your wage must also be consistent with the wage compensation structure of your employer. 

Check market wage rates by occupation here: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home.

The BC PNP will not consider bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing distributions, tips/gratuities, overtime wages, housing allowances, room, and board, or other similar payments to be part of your wage. 

If you were originally hired based on a positive federal Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), the wage you are earning at the time of registration and/or application must be equal to or greater than the wage stated in the offer of employment and on the LMIA.

Applications will not be approved where the BC PNP believes that the offered wage has been inflated or increased to meet minimum income requirements, or to obtain a higher registration score.

Eligibility for the employers

1. General requirements

Your employer must be willing to support your application. This means your employer must fulfill certain responsibilities and requirements.

The employer offering the job must meet the following:

• Be established in B.C. and have been operating for at least one year;
• Already have permanent, full-time employees;
  • Inside Vancouver: At least five full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees.
  • Outside Vancouver: At least three full-time (or full-time equivalent) employees.
• Show a history of good business practices;
• Offer the candidate a wage in industry standards;
• Meet domestic labor market recruitment requirements, demonstrating recruitment efforts for the vacant position during the period when the candidate is not authorized to work.
• Sign an employer declaration 
• May not make deductions from pay for recruitment, immigration fees, etc.

Your employer may be required to provide financial statements or other documents as supporting evidence. 

2. Employer responsibilities

As well as meeting the general employer requirements, your employer must:

• Give you a written job offer
• Complete the employer sections of the application forms
• Notify the BC PNP if there are any changes in your employment status, includes promotion or termination.

3. Public sector and non-profit employers

Applications from the following public sector and non-profit organizations with a permanent presence are also accepted in B.C.:

• Provincial and regional health care authorities and agencies
• Public post-secondary education and training institutions
• Private, non-profit post-secondary institutions registered with, The Private Career Training Institutions Agency of BC
• Institutions supported by the Government of Canada or the Province of B.C. that research in natural and applied sciences, engineering, computer and information systems, or health sciences
• Provincial/federal/municipal government organizations and agencies
• Other non-profit groups registered as charitable organizations and incorporated 

4. Ineligible employers

The BC PNP will not approve applications from:

• Employers involved in producing, distributing or selling pornographic or sexually explicit products, or providing sexually oriented entertainment or services
• Employment agencies and similar firms, unless they are establishing an employer/employee relationship with the applicant
• Any other type of business that tends to bring the BC PNP or the Government of B.C. into disrepute.

At its discretion, the BC PNP may consider an application where the employer does not meet the minimum requirements, including but not limited to, regular partnerships or sole proprietorships. However, in order to be considered, the employer must, at the time of application, make a compelling business case that demonstrates how the nomination will generate significant economic benefits to B.C.

How to apply

As a Healthcare Professional applicant, you do not need to register and may proceed directly to the application via BCPNP Online.

To apply: 

• Create an online profile with BCPNP Online
• Complete all sections 
• Submit your application

Step 1. Completing your application

You are responsible for updating your contact information and ensuring that all required information is current and up-to-date. For instructions on how to complete the registration, please see the BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Technical Guide (PDF, 1MB).

Step 2. Get the ban score

After you complete your application, you will get a ban score based on various factors. Your registration is ranked score alongside other applications in the same category. Periodically, the BC PNP will invite the highest-scoring applicants to apply. Carefully review the category requirements before completing your application.

There are some factors you need to keep in mind to obtain more scores.

Key economic factors:

• The NOC skill level of your job offer. 
• The annual wage you are offered. 
• The location of your employment. 

Factors that influence your ability to settle in B.C.:

• Directly related work experience
• Level of education
• English language proficiency

The BC PNP reserves the right to make changes without prior notice, including changes to the scoring grids and the number and frequency of registrants invited to apply. 

Step 3. Receiving confirmation for PR

Your application will be assessed according to the Provincial Immigration Programs Act and Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation and the specific criteria. If approved, you will receive a nomination that allows you to apply for permanent residence. 

You or your authorized representative will then receive:

• Confirmation of nomination
• A nomination package of the next steps to submit your federal application for permanent residence 

Step 4. Submitting PR application

When receiving your BC PNP confirmation of nomination, please submit a complete application for permanent residence to the designated IRCC visa office. You must submit your application before the expiry date listed on your nomination certificate.

The BC PNP may refuse an application if:

• The information in the registration is different from the one submitted in the application;
• The candidate is not eligible to receive the points; or
• The application does not meet applicable category requirements in effect at the time the application was made.

Step 5. Prepare work permit

 A nomination by the BC PNP does not authorize you to work while IRCC is processing your application. If you want to work in B.C. during this period, you must ensure you have the authorization to work while in Canada.

If you do not have a work permit or your work permit has expired (or is about to expire), you must apply to IRCC for a work permit. The BC PNP may be able to provide a work permit support letter for your application to IRCC.

Your requests for work permit support letters will be accepted if all of the following are met:

• Nominated by the BC PNP
• Submitted your application to IRCC before your nomination certificate expired
• Continue to meet the conditions of nomination
• Current work permit expires within 120 days

Supporting documents

The following documentation is required for the Healthcare Professional category when applying the BCPNP Online application system. 

The nominee applicant must provide: 

• Copy of Canadian immigration records (if applicable) 
• Copy of biographical page of the passport 
• Current photograph 
• Copy of LMO / LMIA (if applicable) 
• Copy of Official Language Test Results (if applicable) 
• Copy of education and/or training certificates 
• Copy of Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (if applicable) 
• Current resume/CV The B.C. 

Health Authority must provide: 

• BC PNP job offer form (midwives can upload their letter of confirmation from the practice group instead of a job offer form)
•  Employer recommendation letter 
• Copy of the offer of employment

Cost

If invited to apply, you must submit the $700 application fee with your online application before it will be processed. Incomplete applications will not be approved. You can also be refunded if you withdraw your application before the BC PNP begins to assess it.

You may contact the BC PNP by sending an email to withdraw and find out if you are eligible for a refund. Please provide your full name, date of birth, and BC PNP application file number in your email. Withdrawal requests submitted in-person or through voicemail will not be accepted.

How long would it take?

The processing time starts from the date your application is submitted to after which the application undergoes through a strict evaluation process before selection. Hence, the processing time for BC PNP will depend on a lot of factors. The typical assessment time for applications in B.C. is generally four months. It can also take more or less time depending on the individual’s case.

Check your processing time:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

After the application 

If the BC PNP refuses an application, that person has a right to request a review of the decision. All requests must be made within 30 days of the date of the decision notice if the applicant is a resident in Canada, or 60 days if the applicant is not a resident in Canada. 

For a request for review, residence in Canada is determined by the applicant’s residential address on the request for review form. Subsequent requests for review, or requests for review submitted outside of the applicable 30 or 60 day periods, cannot be accepted.

A new registration/application may not be submitted until your request for review is withdrawn or otherwise resolved. A person whose approval has been withdrawn is not entitled to have that decision reviewed. 

The complete request for review must: 

• Be in writing and submitted through BCPNP Online 
• Identify the grounds for the request 
• Provide any information the BC PNP requests 
• Pay the $200 non-refundable fee 

The purpose of a review is to determine whether the original decision was based on a fair process. Being unsatisfied with the final decision or a component of the decision is not sufficient grounds to vary or reverse a decision. 

For those who choose to submit a request for review: 

• Only the applicant named on the decision notice may request a review. 
• An applicant may only submit a request to review.
• The residential address in the online request for review form must be the applicant’s current residential address. Forms whose authorized representative’s address will not be processed.  
• The applicant is responsible for outlining how the decision was unreasonable or procedurally unfair. The review will be based on the information provided by the applicant.  
• The review will be conducted based on the program criteria and evidence available at the time the application was declined.  
• You will receive an email confirming your request has been received.