The BC PNP issued 311 Invitations to Apply (ITA) on March 30, 2020 under the Skills Immigration and Express Entry categories. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on BC’s current economy and job outlook, candidates falling in the Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) category were excluded from the draw. In addition, there were 14 NOC 0, A and B occupations that were also excluded from the draw, including: Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers; Restaurant and Food Service managers; Accommodation service managers; Managers in customer and personal services; Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations; Administrative Officers; Administrative Assistants; Massage therapists; Retail sales supervisors; Food service supervisors; Accommodation, Travel, Tourism and related services supervisors; Chefs; Cooks; and, Hairstylists and Barbers.

Applicants had minimum scores of 102 – 105 under BC’s eligibility criteria. Although BC is committed to welcoming new immigrants and understand the need for immigration to support economic growth, they are also facing unprecedented times where layoffs and company closures are a reality. Therefore, in order to protect residents of BC, the province decided to exclude certain occupations that have suffered severe financial loss due to the impact of the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). It is no surprise the COVID-19 is affecting Canada Immigration and Provincial Programs. BC is however, the first Province to actively exclude occupations impacted by the global crisis.

Receiving a Provincial Nomination awards an Applicant an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking Scores (CRS), which almost guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under Express Entry. With this announcement, it is apparent that Immigration to Canada is on the verge of being significantly affected.