The British Columbia PNP modified its point system on 16 November 2022. Also, the points system in Express Entry-managed programs has been changed to determine applicants’ eligibility under the permanent residence category as follows:
- Points are no longer awarded based on National Occupation Class (NOC) skill levels. Canada’s primary method of classifying jobs is the NOC system, which replaced the TEER classification.
- Therefore, applicants’ human capital (skills, experience, education, and competencies) and economic considerations (job offer, income, district of employment) now receive more points.
- Extra credit has been given to professional titles and proficiency in English and French.
- The points have been added for prior employment outside of metropolitan Vancouver or academic experience outside of the region.
These modifications are reflected in the updated points allocation table (still divided by human capital and economic factors):
| Scoring Selections | Max Points | |
| Human Capital Factors | Having direct experience in the field | 40 |
| Education at the highest level | 40 | |
| Proficiency in Language (French or English) | 40 | |
| Economic Factors | B.C. Hourly Wage Job Offer | 55 |
| The area within British Columbia. | 25 | |
| Points to be earned | 200 |
Change 1: No points are required as per the NOC of the job offer
The first, and possibly most important, change to the new points allocation system is that NOC skill levels are no longer taken into consideration when allocating points.
Additionally, in the past, candidates’ economic and human capital components were each valued at 60 points based on the NOC.
Change 2: Point modification
Every other economic or human capital factor has been given greater weight since the NOC code of the employment offer no longer counts:
- Up to 60 points are now available for work experience directly related to it (previously 40).
- Currently, the highest level of education is valued at 40 points (it was previously 25).
- It is now possible to earn 40 points for French or English proficiency (previously it was 30 points).
- Previously, the hourly rate could be worth 50 points; now it can earn 55 points.
- The highest point value for a British Columbia (B.C.) area is now 25. (previously 10).
Change 3: Professional designation points
Another change to the way points are allocated for economic factors is the addition of 5 points for applicants who hold eligible professional designations. In addition, Skilled Trades BC or ITABC (Industry Training Authority British Columbia) certificate holders may be included.
Change 4: Ability in both French and English is now acknowledged for the CLB Language standard of 9, which now receives a full score.
It is now possible to achieve 30 points for language competence by using a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 9 instead of 10. Canada’s national language proficiency test is based on formal language exams.
Another change is that candidates who possess both English and French proficiency will now receive an additional 10 points.
Change 5: weighting for the British Columbia location updated
Further changes have been made to the applicant’s employment district in British Columbia. Previously, certain areas outside of Vancouver were awarded points based on the following criteria:
- Metro Vancouver does not receive points for employment.
- Applicants must be employed in Chilliwack, Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, as well as Mission to receive five points.
- In the case of any British Columbia region not mentioned above, 15 points will be awarded.
A further 10 points are awarded to individuals with particular regional education backgrounds or professional expertise (instead of one point per year of Canadian experience).
Change 6: Increased wage ceiling
It has been several years since a significant modification was made to the points criteria, namely, a higher wage ceiling for getting maximum points based on income. Also, applicants now have access to an additional 5 points (55 versus 50).
Previously, applicants who earned $100,000 would have received 50 points, but now only receive 33 points in this category; previously, an applicant would have received the maximum number of points in this category if their salary exceeded $100,000; however, B.C. A $145,000 annual income is now the ceiling for this category.
