British Columbia’s Express Entry-linked immigration categories issued 3,100 nominations for Canadian permanent residence in 2018, a new report from the provincial government reveals.
Nearly 2,000 of these nominations went to candidates in the Express Entry B.C. (EEBC): Skilled Worker Category and another 936 went to international graduates of eligible post-secondary institutions in British Columbia through the EEBC: International Graduate Category.
The 3,100 nominations issued to Express Entry candidates through EEBC categories last year was an increase of 750 nominations over 2017 and accounted for 48 percent of all nominations issued by the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) last year.
The Express Entry system is Canada’s principal source of skilled foreign workers. Canadian provinces and territories that participate in Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) can nominate Express Entry candidates for Canadian permanent residence through specialized, “enhanced” nomination streams.
A nomination through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream results in an additional 600 ranking points and the recipient is effectively assured of an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The Government of Canada has a processing standard of six months for applications for Canadian permanent residence submitted through the Express Entry system.
