International Post-Graduate Category

The British Columbia International Post-Graduate stream is one of several immigration streams contained within the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of British Columbia. BC International Post-Graduate prioritizes the nomination of immigrants who have recently completed graduate-level education from an eligible British Columbia institution.

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Candidates who are successfully nominated through the BC International Graduate program will be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates do not require an Express Entry profile to be eligible for this stream. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing. Candidates with experience in certain tech occupations may be eligible for accelerated processing and other benefits through the BC Tech Pilot.

Program Requirements

Requirement
Express Entry ProfileNot required
Connection to ProvinceStudy Experience
Job OfferNo
Language ProficiencyNo minimum
Level of EducationMaster’s or Doctorate
Work ExperienceNo minimum
Investment RequirementNone

 

Express Entry Requirement

To be eligible for the BC International Post-Graduate stream, candidates do not require an Express Entry profile. However, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for this stream and who have an active Express Entry profile may be able to apply to the stream through Express Entry for accelerated processing.

 

Connection to British Columbia

Candidates must have completed a master’s or doctorate degree from one of BC’s eligible institutions in one of BC’s eligible programs.

 

Level of Education

Candidates must have completed at least a master’s or doctorate degree in British Columbia.

 

Settlement Funds

All candidates for this stream must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This can be demonstrated through their own finances, or through maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Application Procedure

The British Columbia International Post-Graduate stream is open to new applications at any time. Eligible candidates must submit an application through BC’s online immigration portal. Candidates must indicate on this application whether they are applying through the accelerated Express Entry system, or the regular Skills Immigration system. The BC International Post-Graduate stream charges a $700 CAD application fee per applicant.

If the application is approved, the candidate will be issued a provincial nomination for permanent residence from BC. Candidates can also request to receive a letter of support for a temporary work permit, so that they can begin working in Canada while their application for permanent residence is processed. Applying for a work permit with a letter of support from a province represents a separate application to IRCC.

If the applicant indicated on their BC application that they were applying to the BC International Post-Graduate stream through Express Entry, they will receive a notification of nomination on their IRCC online account. After accepting the provincial nomination, the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. After receiving an ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the designated timeframe. Applications for permanent residence submitted through Express Entry are generally processed within six months.

If the applicant indicated on their BC profile that they were applying to the BC International Post-Graduate stream through the regular Skills Immigration system, the applicant has six months to submit an official application for permanent residence. They must prepare a paper-based application and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.

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