Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled PNP Immigration
The Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled Provincial Nominee Program applies to select occupations and eligible employers in the tourism/hospitality and long-haul trucking industries, and to qualifying foreign workers.
The tourism/hospitality and long-haul trucking industries were selected for this pilot project as they play a critical role in BC’s export-oriented economy, and are experiencing acute and persistent labour shortages.
Requirements for Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Applications
Eligible Occupations
Tourism/Hospitality
Applications
under the category will be accepted only for the
occupations in the tourism/hospitality industry as defined in the National Occupational Classification.
Occupations in Travel and Accommodation
Hotel Front Desk Clerks
Tour and Recreational Guides and Casino Occupations
Tour and Travel Guides
Outdoor Sport and Recreational Guides
Casino Occupations
Occupations in Food and Beverage Service
Maitres d’hotel and Hosts/Hostesses
Bartenders
Food and Beverage
Servers
Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and Related
Occupations
Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers and
Related Occupations
Cleaners (hotels only)
Light Duty Cleaners
Specialized
Cleaners
Janitors, Caretakers and Building Superintendents
Other Attendants in Accommodation and Travel:
Doorkeeper, Hotel
Guest Services Attendant, Hotel
Other Elemental Service Occupations
Dry Cleaning and
Laundry Occupations (Hotels/Resorts only)
Ironing, Pressing
and Finishing Occupations (Hotels/Resorts only)
Other
Elemental Service Occupations:
Attendant, Sauna Room
(Hotels/Resorts only)
Hotel Valet
Employment requirements:
- Nominee applicants must have been employed in an eligible occupation by the sponsoring company in BC on a temporary work permit for at least 9 months immediately prior to the date of application to the BC PNP, and must be legally employed by the sponsoring company at the time of application.
Note: Applications for managers, professionals, service supervisors and other skilled workers, such as chefs and cooks, are considered under the Skilled Worker category of the BC PNP.
Long-Haul Trucking
Truck driver applications under this program will be accepted only for long-haul truck drivers.
Definition of Long-Haul Truck Drivers
Definition: Operate articulated or multi-articulated heavy commercial vehicles (over 4,600 kg gross vehicle weight) on routes more than 160 km from home base.
Employment requirements:
- Nominee applicants must have been employed by the sponsoring company as a long-haul truck driver in BC on a temporary work permit for at least 9 months immediately prior to the date of application to the BC PNP, and must be legally employed by the sponsoring company at the time of application.
- Nominee applicants must have at least 2 years employment experience as a long-haul truck driver in the 3 years prior to their application to the BC PNP.
- Nominee applicants must hold a valid BC Class 1 driver’s license and, if required, air brake endorsement and other certification (e.g., for transporting dangerous goods)
Note:
- A permanent job has no pre-determined end date. Full time employment means that the employee is expected to work year round and, on average, at least 30 hours a week.
- The employer and the nominee candidate must be establishing an employer-employee relationship: applications will not be accepted for individuals hired under a contract for service (independent contractor agreement).
- If the position is covered by a collective agreement, this agreement should be referenced.
- The written offer must be on official company letterhead and addressed to the nominee candidate. The offer must be signed and dated by a person authorized to hire employees, and also by the candidate, to indicate his or her acceptance.
Educational Requirements
Nominee applicants are expected to have
completed formal education to a secondary level.
English Language
Proficiency
Nominee applicants should have basic proficiency in
English. If the Labour Market Opinion or BC PNP Guaranteed Job Offer Form indicates that no
English language proficiency is needed for the job, the employer
will pay for the nominee applicant to take one of the following approved English
language tests: TOEFL, IELTS and LPI. If the applicant fails
to demonstrate basic proficiency, the employer will pay for the
applicant to enroll in a recognized ESL (English as a second
language) program for a minimum of 6 months.
Economic Benefits to BC
The hiring of foreign workers through the program must
demonstrate significant economic benefits to BC by filling a
critical skill need. The BC PNP will only approve nominee candidates
who are likely to contribute long-term net economic benefits to BC.
Ability to Become Economically Established in BC
The potential for nominee candidates to become economically
established in BC will be assessed according to their income and
employment prospects, number of dependents, English language
ability, education, and connections to BC or Canada through work,
study, residence, and family ties.
The BC PNP will not accept applications to nominate individuals who have an unresolved refugee claim in Canada, or who are in Canada illegally, are under a removal order in Canada, or are prohibited from entering Canada.
The BC PNP will not approve an application if it appears likely that a nominee candidate’s family income (based on the candidate’s job offer and any spousal job offer) will be below Statistics Canada’s applicable Low Income Cut-Off. In making this assessment, the BC PNP will take into consideration a reasonable estimate of income earned from tips and gratuities for nominee applicants employed in tourism/hospitality occupations.
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