Canadian province stops immigration draws
How long will the pause last?
The province of British Columbia will suspend immigration draws for more than a month to switch to a new occupational classification system. At the same time, immigration applications for the provincial program will be closed.
On November 16, Canada is transitioning to the new NOC occupational classification. This will cause changes in immigration programs, as the requirements for professions will be updated. British Columbia will not hold draws and accept immigration applications from October 12 to November 16. Unlike many other provinces, British Columbia holds draws every week.
If you have already applied for immigration to British Columbia, you do not need to do anything before October 12. Your application will be considered according to the requirements that are in effect now. But if you do not receive an invitation to provincial nomination by October 12, your application will be removed. You must apply again after November 16 to meet the new requirements.
Not all streams will close on October 12, there are exceptions. Some specialists will remain in the candidate pool until November 13:
- health care professionals;
- entrepreneurs.
The transition to the new occupational classification will affect all immigration programs. It is already known how the requirements in the federal programs and the Atlantic program will change. The rest of the provinces have not yet reported pauses in draws and admissions.
