A Real-Life Immigration Case: From Open Work Permit to BC PNP Nomination
Vancouver, BC —
(Note: The name “Michelle” is a pseudonym used to protect client confidentiality. This case study is a composite based on real situations we have worked with.)
In April, I was first approached by Michelle, a registered nurse employed by a health authority in Vancouver. At the time, she was working in Canada on an open work permit, valid for another year. Like many Hong Kong residents, she had already applied for permanent residence (PR) under the Hong Kong PR Pathway (Stream B), after accumulating over one year of Canadian work experience.
Naturally, I was curious what brought her in for a consultation. It turned out that her employer had offered to support her for a BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) application under the Health Authority stream.
For those unfamiliar, the BC PNP is one of Canada’s economic immigration programs, allowing the province to nominate workers or entrepreneurs to meet labour market needs. A provincial nomination does not guarantee PR—but it gives a significant advantage. Nominees receive additional points in Express Entry, making it much easier to receive an invitation to apply for PR.
The Challenge: Express Entry Eligibility
Michelle’s main concern was how to qualify for Express Entry, given she already had an active PR application under the Hong Kong pathway.
She had tried to create an Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), but was deemed ineligible. This was puzzling—after all, she had years of skilled nursing experience in Hong Kong and in Canada.
On closer review, we found that she actually did meet the minimum requirements:
· At least one year of continuous full-time work in a TEER 0–3 occupation.
· English language skills at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 across all abilities.
· At least a high school education.
However, what many applicants miss is that meeting the minimum doesn’t automatically qualify you. Under FSWP, candidates must also pass the 67-point selection factor grid. Michelle fell just short of the 67-point threshold.
The Solution: Boosting Her Points
I recommended that she retake her English test to improve her selection factor points.
👉 Pro Tip: While there are three approved English tests (IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core), many find CELPIP General easier, especially if they already live in Canada. The listening accents are Canadian, and everything is computer-based—no handwriting or in-person interviews.
Michelle followed this advice and successfully improved her score, pushing her selection factor points above 66. This allowed her to enter the Express Entry pool.
The Breakthrough: BC PNP Nomination
With her eligibility confirmed, Michelle received a nomination under the BC PNP Health Authority Stream.
This stream is designed for healthcare workers employed by BC health authorities, including registered nurses. What makes it unique is that candidates do not need to register for a draw. If eligible, they can apply directly with the support of their employer.
To qualify, applicants must:
· Obtain employer support.
· Hold a permanent, full-time job offer in an eligible healthcare occupation.
· Meet professional licensing requirements (if applicable).
· Satisfy general BC PNP requirements.
Given her occupation and employer support, Michelle’s nomination was approved.
The Dilemma: Two PR Applications in Process
At this stage, Michelle had two PR applications:
1. Her original Hong Kong Pathway (Stream B) application.
2. Her new Express Entry – BC PNP nomination.
So what should she do?
It is possible to have multiple PR applications in progress at the same time. However, IRCC will only issue one PR visa. If both applications reach approval, IRCC will ask the applicant to choose one to finalize.
In Michelle’s case, since Express Entry with a nomination processes in about 8 months (compared to 2+ years under the Hong Kong pathway), we discussed when and whether it would be best to withdraw one application.
Work Permit Extension Options
Another concern was her work permit, which expires in early 2026. She had two main options:
1. Keep Hong Kong PR Pathway Active – Eligible for a 3-year open work permit extension, provided her PR file is still in process and not refused.
2. Use BC PNP Nomination – Apply for a BC PNP-supported work permit with her nomination and employer job offer.
Since IRCC currently takes about 185 days (6+ months) to process work permits, I advised her to submit her application well in advance—ideally 4–6 months before expiry.
Addressing FSW Eligibility vs PR application Discrepancy
During the review, the health authority expressed concerns that the applicant answering “Yes” to having a job offer could alter her scores. While the applicant does hold a genuine job offer, this does not automatically qualify as “arranged employment” under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.
To qualify for arranged employment points, applicants must fall under one of the following four categories:
1. Working in Canada with LMIA-based work permit
o Work permit is valid and issued based on a positive LMIA in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
o Applicant is working for the employer named on the permit.
o Employer has made a valid job offer contingent on the applicant’s permanent residence approval.
2. Working in Canada in an LMIA-exempt job (specific categories)
o Work permit is valid and exempt from LMIA because of an international agreement, significant benefit, or a federal-provincial agreement.
o Applicant has been employed full-time for at least one year (or equivalent part-time) with the same employer.
o Employer has made a valid job offer contingent on skilled worker acceptance.
3. Not currently working in Canada
o Employer has a positive LMIA.
o Employer has made a valid job offer based on that LMIA.
4. Working in Canada in other LMIA-exempt jobs
o Applicant is authorized to work in Canada, but the exemption is not under international/federal agreements or significant benefit.
o A different employer (not the current one) has a positive LMIA.
o That employer has made a valid job offer contingent on skilled worker acceptance.
It is important to note that while a Canadian job offer of at least one year can help under the FSW selection factors, it does not add points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) any longer.
Furthermore, choosing “Yes” or “No” regarding arranged employment will not, in itself, affect the applicant’s overall eligibility or Invitation to Apply (ITA) prospects. Even if “Yes” is selected, the applicant must still answer “No” to LMIA-related follow-up questions, meaning the offer will not be treated as arranged employment.
Ultimately, as long as the applicant:
· Meets the 67-point FSW selection factor minimum, and
· Maintains a CRS score above the cut-off for their draw,
the discrepancy will not impact eligibility or their ITA.
Key Takeaways for Applicants
This case highlights several important lessons:
· Don’t rely on one pathway only. Explore multiple PR options to maximize your chances and choose the one you are most confident and yields the quickest result.
· Understand the details. Meeting minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee Express Entry eligibility—you must also pass the selection grid for FSWP and/or recent lowest-cutoff CRS scores.
· Boost your language score. A small improvement can make the difference between being ineligible and receiving an invitation.
· Plan ahead for permits. Work permit extensions take time, and you don’t want gaps in your status.
· Know that multiple PR applications are allowed. But be strategic in deciding which one to pursue to the end.
✨ Every immigration journey is unique. Michelle’s story is just one example of how careful planning and the right advice can open new doors. If you’re navigating work permits, PR pathways, or provincial nomination programs, professional guidance can help you avoid costly delays and make the best decisions for your future in Canada.
Final Thoughts
Express Entry via Provincial Nomination is one of the most important permanent residence streams under Canada immigration. The process can feel daunting, but with the right guidance, it is absolutely achievable.
At Caerus Immigration, we help clients with every step of the process — from building a strong Canada visa application package to preparing evidence of Canadian resettlement.
📩 Ready to apply for permanent residence? Contact us today at mark@caerusimmigration.com for expert guidance.
💡 Explore more immigration options: whether through Canada student visa, working holiday visa Canada, or business immigration streams like the Start-Up Visa, Caerus Immigration provides tailored solutions for your journey.