Provincial Nominee Program

The British Columbia International Post-Graduate stream is one of several immigration pathways offered under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). This program is specifically designed to prioritize the nomination of individuals who have recently completed graduate-level education at eligible institutions in British Columbia, Canada.

Program Requirements:

• Express Entry Profile: Not required.
• Connection to Province: Applicants must have completed their master’s or doctorate degree from one of the eligible institutions in British Columbia.
• Job Offer: Not required.
• Language Proficiency: There is no specific minimum language proficiency requirement.
• Level of Education: Applicants must have successfully obtained a master’s or doctorate degree from a British Columbia institution.
• Work Experience: No specific work experience is required.
• Investment Requirement: No financial investment is necessary.

Express Entry Requirement:

While an Express Entry profile is not mandatory, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for the BC International Post-Graduate stream and have an active Express Entry profile may benefit from accelerated processing.

Connection to British Columbia:

Candidates must have completed at least a master’s or doctorate degree from one of the eligible institutions in British Columbia.

Settlement Funds:

All applicants must meet the settlement funds requirement as determined by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This requirement can be satisfied through personal finances or by maintaining a valid offer of employment.

Application Procedure:

The British Columbia International Post-Graduate stream accepts applications throughout the year. Eligible candidates are required to submit their applications through BC’s online immigration portal. During the application process, candidates must specify whether they are applying through the accelerated Express Entry system or the regular Skills Immigration system. It’s important to note that there is a $700 CAD application fee per applicant for this stream.

If the application is approved, candidates will receive a provincial nomination from British Columbia for permanent residence. Additionally, applicants have the option to request a letter of support for a temporary work permit, allowing them to work in Canada while their permanent residence application is being processed. It’s worth mentioning that applying for a work permit with provincial support represents a separate application to IRCC.

For candidates who indicated on their BC application that they were applying through Express Entry, they will receive a notification of nomination on their IRCC online account. Upon accepting the provincial nomination, their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will increase by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. Following the ITA, the applicant must prepare and submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence within the specified timeframe. Typically, Express Entry applications are processed within six months.

For applicants who indicated on their BC profile that they were applying through the regular Skills Immigration system, they have six months to submit an official paper-based application for permanent residence. This application should be mailed to the appropriate application center. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence generally take around 18 months to process.

Below are the eligible programs of study within the natural, health, and applied sciences fields for the International Post-Graduate stream of the BC PNP, including the Express Entry option. It’s important to note that these lists are subject to change, and program inclusion does not guarantee nomination under this stream. To ensure program eligibility, prospective students should consult the offering post-secondary institution.

Doctoral Level Programs at Public Post-Secondary Institutions:

Doctoral degrees completed at public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia have no restrictions on the field of study.

Regulatory or professional doctorates like Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) are not eligible.

If you have achieved candidacy in a Ph.D. program in any field of study at a public post-secondary institution in British Columbia, you may also be eligible. Refer to the Skills Immigration program guide for more details.

Master’s Level Programs at Public Post-Secondary Institutions (Natural, Health, and Applied Sciences Fields):

Please note that this list includes master’s level programs within specific fields of study offered by public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Eligibility for the International Post-Graduate stream is subject to meeting all other program requirements as outlined in the BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC Program Guide. Additionally, it’s essential to confirm program availability with the respective post-secondary institution.

For the most up-to-date information regarding program availability and eligibility, prospective students should directly contact the post-secondary institution offering the program.

This information serves as a guide to help individuals explore eligible programs, but it is essential to verify details with the relevant institutions and consult the official BC PNP guidelines for complete eligibility criteria.

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields

• Building Eng/Building Sc
• Building Science

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

• Ecological Restoration

Royal Roads University

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Environmental Education and Communication – MA
• Environmental Practice – MA
• Mechatronic Systems Engineering MASc
• Mechatronic Product Realization Meng
• Master of Applied Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

• Biological Sciences MSc
• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry MSc
• Environmental Toxicology MET
• Ecological Restoration MSc
• Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology MSc

Mathematics and Statistics

• Mathematics MSc
• Statistics MSc

Physical Sciences

• Chemistry MSc
• Earth Sciences MSc
• Physics MSc

Health Professions and Related Programs

• Master of Public Health 
• Master of Science in Health Sciences

Thompson Rivers University

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Master of Science in Environmental Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• Master of Science in Data Science

Health Professions and Related Programs

• Master of Nursing

University of British Columbia – Okanagan

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Master of Science in Environmental Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• Master of Data Science
• Environmental Practice – MSc
• Environment and Management – MA
• Environment and Management – MSc

Simon Fraser University

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences

• Pest Management MPM

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Resource Management (Planning) MRM
• Masters in Resource Management MRM

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• Computer Science MSc
• Master of Science in Professional Computer Science
• Big Data MSc
• Computing Science Dual Degree MSc
• Computing Science MSc
• Computing Science Non-Thesis MSc
• Interactive Arts and Technology MA
• Interactive Arts and Technology MSc
• Master of Digital Media

Engineering

• Engineering Science MASc
• Engineering Science Meng
• Mechatronic Systems Engineering MASc
• Mechatronic Product Realization Meng
• Master of Applied Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

• Biological Sciences MSc
• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry MSc
• Environmental Toxicology MET
• Ecological Restoration MSc
• Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology MSc

Mathematics and Statistics

• Mathematics MSc
• Statistics MSc

Physical Sciences

• Chemistry MSc
• Earth Sciences MSc
• Physics MSc

Health Professions and Related Programs

• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science in Health Sciences

Thompson Rivers University

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Master of Science in Environmental Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• Master of Science in Data Science

Health Professions and Related Programs

• Master of Nursing

University of British Columbia – Okanagan

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Master of Science in Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Master of Science in Environmental Science

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• Master of Data Science
• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Computer Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Engineering

• Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
• Master of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering
• Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

• Master of Science in Biology
• Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Mathematics and Statistics

• Master of Science in Mathematics
• Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

Physical Sciences

• Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Science in Chemistry

Health Professions and Related Programs

• Master of Science in Health and Exercise Sciences
• Master of Science in Medical Physics
• Master of Science in Nursing

University of British Columbia – Vancouver

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences

• Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
• Master of Science in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems
• Master of Food and Resource Economics
• Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management
• Master of Science in Animal Science
• Master of Science in Applied Animal Biology
• Master of Science in Experimental Medicine
• Master of Food Science
• Master of Science in Food Science
• Master of Science in Plant Science
• Master of Science in Soil Science

Natural Resources and Conservation

• Master of Land and Water Systems
• Master of Arts in Resource Management and Environmental Studies
• Master of Arts in Resources, Environment and Sustainability
• Master of Science in Resource Management and Environmental Studies
• Master of Science in Resources, Environment and Sustainability
• Master of Forestry
• Master of Sustainable Forest Management
• Master of International Forestry
• Master of Science in Forestry
• Master of Science in Oceans and Fisheries

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

• Master of Data Science
• Master of Software Systems
• Master of Science in Bioinformatics
• Master of Science in Computer Science
• Master of Science in Computer Science Sub-Specialization in Human-Computer Interaction

Engineering

• Master of Applied Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Master of Engineering
• Master of Engineering Leadership in Advanced Materials Manufacturing
• Master of Engineering Leadership in Green Bioproducts

Master of Engineering Leadership in Sustainable Process Engineering