Key Facts
Provincial overview
How BC PNP Operates in 2026
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) selects candidates to support the province's key economic engines. On 23 April 2026, British Columbia fully transitioned its Skills Immigration selections to the 'Care, Build, Innovate' priority framework, formalised in the Skills Immigration Program Guide effective 28 May 2026.
Under this model, BC conducts targeted draws focused on healthcare, education and childcare (Care), certified construction trades (Build), and high-impact high-wage tech/commercial innovators (Innovate). Registration in the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is free, and nominated candidates can apply through enhanced Express Entry BC (EEBC) or base provincial streams.
Policy evolution
What Changed in 2026
Key regulatory amendments, fee updates, and structural milestones.
Skills Immigration application fee adjusted to $1,750 CAD; request for review set at $500 CAD.
Care, Build, Innovate priority framework implemented across all Skills Immigration selection rounds.
Updated BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide took effect.
Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative opened for health authority professionals.
Targeted pillars
Economic Priority Framework
Selection draws are conducted within these specific strategic economic categories.
Care Priority
36 target occupations across health care, education (including French-speaking K-12 teachers), early childhood education (ECEs), and veterinary medicine.
Build Priority
Certified workers and journeypersons across 9 in-demand construction trades critical to British Columbia's housing and infrastructure expansion.
Innovate Priority
High Economic Impact (HEI) draws spanning high-wage technology, green engineering and management roles, utilizing higher wage thresholds (~$58–$62/hr) combined with SIRS points.
Pathways breakdown
Active Nomination Streams
Detailed overview of base and enhanced provincial streams, job offer rules, and target candidates.
| Stream Name | Type | Job Offer | Target Profile & Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills Immigration — Skilled Worker | Enhanced (+600) | Required | For managers, professionals, and skilled trades with an indeterminate BC job offer; available with an Express Entry BC (EEBC) option. Ideal for: Skilled specialists meeting SIRS cut-offs or working in Care, Build, or Innovate priorities. |
| Skills Immigration — Health Authority | Enhanced (+600) | Required | Direct stream for professionals employed by or with a job offer from a BC public health authority; non-competitive registration. Ideal for: Physicians, registered nurses, allied health clinicians employed by regional health authorities. |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | Base | Not Required | For experienced business owners investing in BC businesses ($3,500 CAD application fee). Ideal for: Entrepreneurs with substantial net worth investing in regional BC communities. |
Recent draw results
Sample Provincial Selection Rounds
Representative cut-off scores and invitation numbers from official provincial draws.
| Draw Date | Target Stream / Priority | Minimum Score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jul 2026 | Care: Healthcare Occupations | 96 points | 116 ITAs |
| 9 Jul 2026 | Care: Childcare (ECEs) | 108 points | 91 ITAs |
| 16 Jul 2026 | Innovate: High Economic Impact | 132 points | 346 ITAs |
Core Eligibility Requirements for BC PNP
- A genuine, indeterminate, full-time job offer from an eligible British Columbia employer in an eligible NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.
- The wage offered must be at or above the median market wage for the occupation in the region of employment.
- Minimum 2 years of directly related full-time work experience in the offered occupation.
- Language proficiency: minimum CLB 4 for TEER 2–3 roles; TEER 0–1 roles must satisfy language requirements for claimed SIRS points (CLB 7+ strongly recommended).
- Occupation must not be on the BC PNP Excluded Occupations list (e.g. administrative assistants, bookkeepers, retail supervisors).
- Scored registration in the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) out of 200 points.
Roadmap to nomination
Step-by-Step BC PNP Application Process
From initial Expression of Interest registration to provincial nomination and federal landing.
Secure Eligible Job Offer
Obtain an indeterminate offer from a qualified BC employer paying market rate.
Register in SIRS
Submit a profile in the Skills Immigration Registration System (free of charge).
Receive BC PNP Invitation to Apply
BC conducts targeted draws based on Care, Build, or Innovate priorities.
Submit Nomination Application
Submit full documentation and pay the $1,750 CAD provincial fee within 30 days.
Receive Provincial Nomination
Obtain your nomination certificate (+600 points on Express Entry or base nomination).
Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence
Complete federal PR processing via Express Entry (6 months) or base PR portal.
Candidate profile
Is this province right for you?
Who This Pathway Suits
- Registered nurses, allied health workers, and ECEs targeting lower cut-offs in Care priority draws.
- Certified construction journeypersons qualifying under the Build priority.
- Senior technology professionals and engineers earning high wages ($58+/hr) qualifying under Innovate.
Who Should Explore Other Routes
- Applicants without a permanent job offer from an eligible employer located in British Columbia.
- Candidates whose occupations are on the excluded list (admin assistants, retail supervisors, bookkeepers).
- International graduates from generic programs without an in-demand priority occupation offer.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions: BC PNP
Since 22 January 2026, the provincial application fee for the Skills Immigration stream is $1,750 CAD. SIRS registration is completely free. A formal Request for Review costs $500 CAD.
Rather than general pool draws, BC PNP prioritizes applications within three distinct economic pillars: Care (health, education, childcare), Build (construction trades), and Innovate (high-wage, high-impact economic roles). Each category has separate selection cut-offs.
BC PNP announced that no new standalone international student streams will be launched. International graduates must qualify under the regular Skilled Worker stream through an eligible job offer within the priority framework.
Yes. Both the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams offer an Express Entry BC (EEBC) pathway, awarding 600 additional CRS points upon nomination.
Compare other provinces
Explore Other Provincial Nominee Programs
Discover admission allocations, application fees, and unique streams across Canada's other 10 provinces and territories.
Ontario
Canada's largest province: complete breakdown of the restructured Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
Alberta
Alberta's points-based EOI system with dedicated pathways for tech, healthcare, and rural renewal.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's points-based nomination system: employment offers vs no-job-offer realities.
Manitoba
Community connections and strategic recruitment driving Manitoba's 6,239 nomination spaces.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia's streamlined four-stream framework prioritizing healthcare, construction, and graduates.
New Brunswick
Atlantic Canada's most active nominee program with strong bilingual and skilled worker streams.
Important Regulatory Notice
MovesEdu Immigration Pvt. Ltd. is a private educational and migration advisory consultancy, not a government body. Program rules, nomination allocations, settlement fees and intake windows change frequently — always verify current criteria on the official government portals linked on this page. All nomination, endorsement and permanent residency decisions rest exclusively with provincial/territorial authorities, participating communities, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). MovesEdu does not provide job placements, recruitment services, or arrange employment contracts.