British Columbia PNP Changes Points Allocations

British Columbia PNP Changes Points Allocations

The British Columbia PNP changes points allocations for applicants. Effective November 16th 2021, the points system, same as in Express Entry-managed programs, has changed in the following ways:

  • Points have been removed for National Occupation Class (NOC) skill levels. The NOC system is Canada’s main way of classifying jobs, and has recently moved to a TEER classification.
  • The number of points assigned to human capital (skills, experience education and competencies of the individual) and economic factors (job offer, income, district of employment) of applicants has increased;
  • Additional points have been added for professional designations and language proficiency in both English and French;
  • Points have been added for previous experience working or studying outside of metropolitan Vancouver.

About the British Columbia PNP Changes

These changes (still divided between human capital and economic factors) are reflected in the new table for points allocation:

Scoring Selections Max Points
Human Capital Factors Directly Related Work Experience 40
Highest Level of Education 40
Language Proficiency (English or French) 40
Economic Factors Hourly Wage of the B.C. Job Offer 55
Area within B.C. 25
Total Points Available 200

More Information About The Changes

1: There are no points according to NOC of Job Offer

The first noticeable change is the removal of points based on the NOC skill level of the job offer of an applicant. Previously, you could get up to 60 points in value based on the NOC. But with the new announcement, these points have now been distributed across both human capital and economic factors of applicants.

2: Re-allocation of points

With the removal of points for NOC code of job offer, every other human capital or economic factor will see an increase in points as shown below:

  • Directly related work experience now receives a maximum of 60 points (previously 40);
  • Language proficiency in English or French now receives a maximum of 40 points (previously 30);
  • Highest level of education now receives a maximum of 40 points (previously 25);
  • Hourly wage of job offer now receives a maximum of 55 points (previously 50);
  • Area within British Columbia (B.C.) now receives a maximum of 25 points (previously 10);

3: Points for eligible professional designations

Another notable change in the points allocation for economic factors was the addition of 5 points that can be awarded to eligible professional designations held by an applicant. This includes any valid trade certificate held by SkilledTradesBC or Industry Training Authority British Columbia (ITABC). This also makes reference to specific professions on page 56 of the BCPNP program guide.

4: CLB Language benchmark and ability in both French and English recognized

You can now achieve a maximum score for language ability (30 points) with a 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.

Also, an ability in both English and French is now recognized and receives an additional 10 points for applicants who have both.

5: Readjusted weighting for location in British Columbia

Additional modifications have been made to the district of employment of applicants in B.C. Previously, select locations outside of Vancouver would receive a tiered number of points. The current scoring criteria allocates:

  • 0 points for employment in the metro Vancouver district;
  • 5 points for employment in the Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission, and Chilliwack districts; and
  • 15 points, for any area in B.C. not already mentioned.

In addition, the new criteria allocate 10 additional points to individuals with specific regional education or work experience (as opposed to the previous allocation for one year of any Canadian experience).

6: Increased Wage Ceiling

The final major change to the points criteria was an increase in the wage to receive the maximum number of points based on income. Also, there are 5 additional points available here for applicants to make it 55.

Whereas previously an annual salary of $100,000 would guarantee an applicant the maximum number of points in this category, B.C. has adjusted this ceiling to an annual income of $145,000; applicants who previously held a salary of $100,000 now only receive 33 points, as opposed to the old maximum of 50.

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