One of the biggest questions on people’s minds when they are looking into Canadian immigration is “how long will this take?” Each step takes time to process, and it’s important to understand the general timeline if you want to begin planning your move.
In this article, we will be exploring how to apply for the BC PNP through different streams, and how long it might take to get accepted into Canada as a permanent resident.
How to apply
SIRS Applications
BC’s Skilled Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is an intake management system that scores applicants based on certain criteria, including work experience, job location, and education.
To apply through SIRS, candidates must first register an online profile. By registering, you are simply providing your personal information – you will not necessarily be invited to apply. You can remain in the selection pool for up to 12 months, though you may be invited to apply earlier if BC is interested in you as a candidate.
Online Applications
If you apply online, you can expect to receive your registration score notification approximately 6 weeks from the date you submitted your registration. A final decision will be made approximately 4 months after your registration submission date.
Paper Applications
If you submit your application for the BC PNP on paper, about 80% of cases take 4 months to process and render an answer, based on the day you were nominated by the province. However, it may take longer, so make sure to budget some extra time into your planning.
Eligibility Requirements
There are many different BC PNP streams through which foreign nationals can immigrate to Canada, and each one has its own set of eligibility criteria to consider. To find out which streams you might be eligible for, you can visit the province’s “immigrate to BC” page and browse through the available options, or consult this brief overview. For a complete list of forms and application guides for each PNP pathway, you can visit this page.
Trust the professionals
Applying to be a Canadian permanent resident can be confusing at best. Don’t get buried under a stack of documents that are tough to understand, or find yourself lost in a maze of requirements. Our team at Exeo Attorneys have helped countless entrepreneurs, families, workers, students successfully immigrate to Canada – let’s make you our next success story.
