1. The BC Provincial Nominee Program Economic Immigration Programs Ministry of Economic Development www.pnp.gov.bc.ca Prepared for the BC Biotech Industry Roundtable June 1, 2006

2. What is the BC PNP? Special program under BC – Canada immigration agreement to expedite entry of economic immigrants for permanent residence Allows BC to choose immigrants to meet its economic & labour market needs Administered by Ministry of Economic Development in partnership with Citizenship & Immigration Canada www.pnp.gov.bc.ca

3. Program Components Business Attract entrepreneurs to establish businesses & invest in BC Strategic Occupations Help BC employers recruit & retain highly qualified foreign workers www.pnp.gov.bc.ca

4. Strategic Occupations Categories Skilled Workers Managers, professionals, technicians & trades Public Sector Health Professionals Physicians & RNs recruited by health authorities International Graduates Foreign grads with BC degrees www.pnp.gov.bc.ca

5. Strategic Occupations Criteria Recruitment of foreign worker a) meets key skill needs & b) has economic benefits to BC Job offered is permanent, full-time Pay & benefits meet industry norms Candidate meets employment requirements Candidate is likely to settle successfully in BC Employer’s track record/prospects positive www.pnp.gov.bc.ca

6. International Graduates Must have completed undergrad/grad degree conferred by a recognized BC institution Priority fields: Health Sciences, Natural & Applied Sciences, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Digital Media, & Business Application must be submitted within 1 year of completion of studies Must have an offer of permanent, full-time employment in a skilled occupation www.pnp.gov.bc.ca

7. 1.Employer recruits foreign worker 2.Employer & candidate submit application jointly to BC PNP 3.BC PNP reviews application (4 – 6 weeks) 4.Nominee applies to CIC for permanent resident visa (work permit can be issued for temporary employment/entry) 5.CIC conducts medical, security & criminal background checks/ issues visa (8 – 10 months) www.pnp.gov.bc.ca What’s the Process?

8. Where to Get More Info Phone604.775.2215 Fax604.660-4092 EmailPNPInfo@gov.bc.ca Webwww.pnp.gov.bc.cawww.pnp.gov.bc.ca Email:michael.chew@gov.bc.ca www.pnp.gov.bc.ca