BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
British Columbia's own route to permanent residence. The province nominates workers and entrepreneurs who meet its needs; once nominated, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Two pathways into the BC PNP
Every BC PNP stream belongs to one of two families. Which one fits depends mainly on whether you have a job offer from a B.C. employer or plan to run your own business.
Skills Immigration
For workers with a full-time, permanent job offer from a B.C. employer. Two streams, Skilled Worker and Health Authority, each with an Express Entry BC option.
Entrepreneur Immigration
For experienced business owners and senior managers who will start or buy, and actively run, a business in B.C. Base and Regional streams for individuals; Strategic Projects for foreign companies.
Not sure which applies?
Many people qualify for more than one route, or for a better one outside the BC PNP. A short conversation usually settles it.
Every stream at a glance
Status as published by WelcomeBC. Open streams invite candidates from a pool; registering does not guarantee an invitation.
| Stream | Who it is for | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | Workers with a full-time, indeterminate job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation | Open, targeted invitations |
| Health Authority | Health professionals with a job offer from a B.C. public health authority | Open |
| Express Entry BC option | Skilled Worker or Health Authority candidates who are also in the federal Express Entry pool | Available in both streams |
| Entrepreneur: Base | Experienced entrepreneurs starting or buying a business anywhere in B.C. | Open, regular draws |
| Entrepreneur: Regional | New businesses in participating communities outside Metro Vancouver | Open, regular draws |
| Strategic Projects | Foreign companies expanding to B.C. with key staff | Available |
| Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support initiative | Health authority cleaning and security workers in rural or remote communities | Registration closed October 7, 2026 |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | Formerly tourism, hospitality and food processing workers | Closed |
| International Graduate and Post-Graduate | Formerly graduates of Canadian and B.C. institutions | Closed; no new student streams planned |
Source: WelcomeBC. International graduates may still qualify through existing streams, and studies in B.C. or Canada continue to earn registration points.
2026 priorities: Care, Build and Innovate
Since April 23, 2026, the BC PNP has focused its limited nominations on three objectives:
- Care: 36 in-demand occupations in health care, education, child care and veterinary care. The Health Authority stream continues, and certified early childhood educators, veterinarians and veterinary technologists working toward Canadian certification are prioritized, as are French-speaking teachers in B.C. public schools.
- Build: certified workers in 9 key skilled trades that support construction and major infrastructure projects.
- Innovate: High Economic Impact invitations that target top talent in every sector, including technology, and entrepreneurs.
The province expects at least 35% of nominations to go to candidates working outside Metro Vancouver. For 2026, B.C. has an allocation of 6,254 nominations.
How a BC PNP application works
The order is the same for most streams; entrepreneurs add a work permit and a business stage before nomination.
Register
Create a profile in BC PNP Online and receive a score. Skills Immigration registration is free.
Get invited
The BC PNP invites the highest-priority registrations in regular or targeted draws.
Apply
Submit a complete application with your documents and the application fee.
Nomination and IRCC
If nominated, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence. IRCC makes the final decision.
Questions people ask
Do I need a job offer for the BC PNP?
For Skills Immigration, yes: a full-time, indeterminate job offer from an eligible B.C. employer that supports your application. Entrepreneur Immigration does not need a job offer, because you create the business and the jobs.
What is Express Entry BC?
An option within the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams for candidates who are also in the federal Express Entry pool. A nomination through Express Entry BC adds points to your federal profile and can lead to faster permanent residence processing.
Can international graduates still apply?
There are no dedicated student streams any more, and the province has said it will not launch new ones. Graduates can apply through existing streams if they qualify, and completing studies in B.C. or Canada still earns additional registration points.
Does a nomination guarantee permanent residence?
No. A nomination supports your application, but IRCC makes the final decision, including medical, security and admissibility checks.
Official sources
- WelcomeBC: For workers (Skills Immigration) (opens in a new tab)
- WelcomeBC: For entrepreneurs and businesses (opens in a new tab)
- WelcomeBC: BC PNP news (opens in a new tab)
- WelcomeBC: Priority occupations and selection of workers (opens in a new tab)
- WelcomeBC: Program guides and documents (opens in a new tab)
- WelcomeBC: Invitations to apply (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Provincial Nominee Program (opens in a new tab)
Checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
Which BC PNP route fits you?
Talk it through in a free 20-minute consultation, in English, Polish or Persian.
Free, 20 minutes, no obligation.