On November 16, the Canadian province of British Columbia changed its points system to revise point allocations for applicants.

As a result, the points system (which is used to determine applicants’ eligibility for permanent residence under Express Entry-managed programs) has changed in the following ways:

• National Occupation Class (NOC) skill levels have been removed. The NOC system is the main way of categorizing jobs and has recently moved to the updated TEER classification.
• The number of points assigned to human capital (skills, experience, education, competencies of the individual) and economic factors (job offer, income, district of employment) of applicants has increased.
• Both English and French language proficiency points have been added.
• Additional points have been added for previous work or study experiences outside of metropolitan Vancouver.

These updates are still divided between human capital and economic factors that will be reflected in the new table for points allocation:

 Change #1: According to the NOC of the Job Offer, There are No Points

 One of the most notable changes to the latest points allocation system is the removal of points based on an applicant’s NOC skill level. Previously assigned 60 points based on the NOC, these points have now been allocated across both human capital and economic factors.

Change #2: Re-Assignment of Points

To compensate for the removal of points for NOC codes of job offers, all other human capital, and economic factors have been given increased weightage:

• Directly related work experience now receives a maximum of 60 points (previously 40);
• Highest level of education will get a maximum of 40 points (previously 25);
• Language proficiency in English or French will get a maximum of 40 points (previously 30);
• Hourly wage of the job offer will now get a maximum of 55 points (previously 50);
• Area within British Columbia (B.C.) will now get a maximum of 25 points (previously 10);

Change #3: Points for Qualifying Professional Designations

Applicants with professional designations can also receive 5 points for economic factors if they hold eligible designations. The BCPNP program guide mentions specific professions on page 56, as well as any valid trade certificate held by SkilledTradesBC or Industry Training Authority British Columbia (ITABC).

Change #4: Language Benchmark 9 Now Receives a Full Score, Recognizing Ability in Both French and English

The maximum score for language proficiency can now be achieved with a CLB of 9 as opposed to the previous 10. The CLB is Canada’s national standard for assessing language ability, based on official language tests. A further change also gives an additional 10 points to the applicants who have proficiency in both the languages English and French.

Change #5 Location in British Columbia has been reweighted

In British Columbia, the district of employment of applicants has been modified. Previously, points were tied according to a location outside of Vancouver.

Change #6: Higher Wage Cap

Last but not least, the wage ceiling was increased to receive the maximum number of points. Also, there are 5 additional points available here for candidates.

While earlier an annual salary of $100,000 would guarantee a candidate the maximum number of points in this category. As a result, applicants earning $100,000 now receive only 33 points, instead of 50, as the ceiling has been adjusted to $145,000 annually.

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