On 16 November 2021, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) changed its points system to modify the point allocation for applicants.
In summary, the points system (which, like the Express Entry-managed programs used to assess applicants’ eligibility to immigrate under permanent residency) has changed in the following ways:
- Points have been removed for National Occupation Category (NOC) skill levels. The NOC system is the main way of classifying jobs in Canada, and has recently been moved to the TEER classification.
- As a result, the number of points assigned to applicants’ human capital (skills, experience, education and competencies of the individual) and economic factors (job offer, income, district of employment) has increased;
- Additional points are added for professional designation and language proficiency in both English and French;
- Points are added for previous experience working or studying outside of Metropolitan Vancouver.
These changes (still split between human capital and economic factors) are reflected in the new table for points allocation:
| scoring selection | maximum marks | |
|---|---|---|
| human capital factor | directly related work experience | 40 |
| Highest Level of Education | 40 | |
| Language Proficiency (English or French) | 40 | |
| economic factors | bc job offers hourly pay | 55 |
| area within BC | 25 | |
| total points available | 200 | |
Change #1: NO POINTS AS PER NOC OF JOB OFFER
The first, and arguably most notable change in the new points allocation system, is the removal of points based on the NOC skill level of an applicant’s job offer.
Earlier up to 60 points were assigned in the value based on NOC, now these points are distributed across both human capital and economic factors of the applicants.
Change #2: Reallocation of Points
After removing the digits for the NOC code of the job offer, each other human capital or economic factor is given an increased weighting:
- Directly related work experience now receives a maximum of 60 points (previously 40);
- The highest level of education now receives a maximum of 40 points (previously 25);
- Language proficiency in English or French now receives a maximum of 40 points (previously 30);
- Hourly wage job offers now get a maximum of 55 points (previously 50);
- Territories within British Columbia (BC) now receive a maximum of 25 points (previously 10);
Change #3: Points for eligible professional designations
Another change in the allocation of marks for economic factors was the addition of 5 marks that can be given to eligible professional designations held by an applicant. This includes any valid trade certificate held by SkilledTradesBC or the Industry Training Authority of British Columbia (ITABC); but also references specific occupations on page 56 of the BCPNP Program Guide.
Change #4: The CLB language benchmark of 9 now achieves a perfect score, recognized competence in both French and English
The maximum score (30 points) for language ability can now be obtained with the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 9 as opposed to the previous 10. The CLB is Canada’s national standard for evaluating language ability based on official language tests.
Another change here is that qualifications in both English and French are now recognized and gain an additional 10 points for applicants who have both.
Change #5: Weights readjusted for location in British Columbia
Additional modifications have been made to applicants’ district of employment in BC, while previously selected locations outside Vancouver will receive points in the number of points the current scoring criteria allocates:
- 0 points for employment in the Metro Vancouver district;
- 5 points for employment in Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission and Chilliwack districts; And
- 15 points for any area in BC not already mentioned.
Additionally, the criteria allocate an additional 10 points to individuals with specific regional education or work experience (as opposed to the previous allotment for one year of any Canadian experience).
Change #6: Higher Salary Range
The last major change to the points criteria was a higher salary threshold to achieve the maximum number of points based on income. There are also 5 additional marks available for applicants here (55, earlier 50).
While an annual salary of $100,000 previously guaranteed an applicant the maximum number of points in this category, BC has adjusted this limit to an annual income of $145,000; Applicants who previously had a salary of $100,000 now only get 33 points, as opposed to the old maximum of 50.
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