Pavel Lifanov: British Columbia Is Waiting for IT Professionals
British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada, located on the Pacific coast. This province is the third-largest in population after Ontario and Quebec. In 2018, the population of the province is almost five million people. The economy of this province is rapidly developing thanks to innovative technologies. Pavel Lifanov, an immigration expert and vice president of Green Light Immigration, explains a new opportunity for immigration of the IT professionals.
In August 2017, British Columbia successfully launched a new immigration program aimed at IT-professionals. The new program is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) and is called the Tech Pilot. Within the framework of this program, every week the government sends invitations to qualified candidates who have a valid job offer in one of the key technological professions occupations. Pavel Lifanov specifies that BCPNP Tech Pilot is intended for professionals whose occupations are on the list of 29 IT professions that the province considers to be key to the technology sector of British Columbia. Today, IT is one of the main factors of economic growth in the province, and employment in this area is at the highest level ever recorded in British Columbia.
To apply for BCPNP Tech Pilot, candidates need to have a valid job offer:
- In an eligible tech occupation;
- at least one year (365 days) in length;
- and at least 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP.
List of occupations for the Tech Pilot:
- Telecommunication carriers’ managers
- Computer and information systems managers
- Managers — publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
- Civil engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Electrical and electronics engineers
- Chemical engineers
- Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- Information systems analysts and consultants
- Database analysts and data administrators
- Software engineers and designers
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- Web designers and developers
- Biological technologists and technicians
- Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
- Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
- Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
- Computer network technicians
- User support technicians
- Information systems testing technicians
- Authors and writers
- Editors
- Translators, terminologists and interpreters
- Broadcast technicians
- Audio and video recording technicians
- Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
- Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
- Graphic designers and illustrators
- Technical sales specialists — wholesale trade
According to Pavel Lifanov, the processing time for Tech Pilot applications is extremely short. Most of the invitations are sent 2-3 months after the application is submitted. The demand for talents in the technological sector of British Columbia is growing faster than the supply. That is why the provincial government extended the program for another year until June 2019. This fact indicates that the province has assessed the results of the program exceptionally positively.
Pavel Lifanov, Vice-President of Green Light Immigration
Contact Green Light Immigration if you are interested in immigrating to British Columbia via the Tech Pilot. Our experts will consult you and help you arrange all the necessary documents.
