BC PNP Skills Immigration
For workers with a permanent, full-time job offer from a B.C. employer: the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams, and the Express Entry BC option.
Skilled Worker or Health Authority?
The published requirements side by side. Some occupations have exceptions, so the Program Guide has the final word.
| Requirement | Skilled Worker | Health Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer | A TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation | An occupation eligible under the Health Authority stream |
| Employer | Full-time, indeterminate job offer from an eligible B.C. employer | Full-time, indeterminate job offer from a B.C. public health authority |
| Employer support | Employer Declaration Form, completed before you register | Support from authorized health authority staff and an Employer Declaration Form |
| Work experience | At least 2 years of full-time equivalent experience | As required by the BC PNP and your health authority employer |
| Education and credentials | As required for your occupation (licence, registration or certification) | As required by your health authority employer |
| Language | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| Wage | Must meet minimum wage and income requirements | Must meet minimum wage and income requirements |
| Express Entry BC option | Yes | Yes |
Source: WelcomeBC "For workers" and the Skills Immigration Program Guide effective May 28, 2026.
Who gets invited in 2026
Registrations are scored on human capital, such as work experience, education and language, and on economic factors such as your wage and where in B.C. the job is. A registration stays in the pool for up to 12 months.
Since April 2026, invitations focus on the province's priorities: health care and other care occupations, certified skilled trades for construction and infrastructure, and high-economic-impact candidates in any sector, including technology. At least 35% of nominations are expected to go to people working outside Metro Vancouver, so a regional job can be an advantage.
Occupations that are not eligible
These occupations cannot be nominated under any Skills Immigration stream:
- Administrative professionals: executive assistants (12100), human resources and recruitment officers (12101), accounting technicians and bookkeepers (12200), administrative officers (13100), administrative assistants (13110), legal administrative assistants (13111) and medical administrative assistants (13112).
- Sales and service: retail sales supervisors (62010), food service supervisors (62020), and real estate agents and salespersons (63101).
- Religious occupations: religious leaders (41302) and religious workers (42204).
Some employers are not eligible either. If your occupation is on this list, other routes, such as federal Express Entry, may still be open.
From job offer to permanent residence
The six official steps, with the timeframes the BC PNP publishes for about 80% of cases.
Choose your stream
Timing: Before registering
Confirm that your job offer, employer and occupation fit the Skilled Worker or Health Authority stream, and decide whether to use the Express Entry BC option.
Register online
Timing: No fee
Create a registration in BC PNP Online and receive a score. It stays in the pool for up to 12 months.
Receive an invitation
Timing: 30 days to apply
If invited, you have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application, or the invitation expires.
Submit your application
Timing: Decision in about 3 months
Pay the $1,750 application fee and upload your documents. Your application is assessed against the criteria for your stream.
Nomination
Timing: Confirmation of Nomination
If approved, you receive a nomination package. You must keep meeting the conditions of nomination while IRCC decides.
Apply to IRCC
Timing: IRCC processing
Apply for permanent residence before the nomination expires. With Express Entry BC, you apply through your federal Express Entry profile.
Processing estimates are WelcomeBC's published timeframes, not guarantees.
BC PNP fees for workers
| Stage | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration | No fee |
| Application | $1,750 |
| Request for review | $500 |
IRCC fees for permanent residence and any work permit are separate. The BC PNP accepts payments only through BC PNP Online.
Questions people ask
Can I apply without a job offer?
Not to Skills Immigration. Every stream requires a full-time, indeterminate job offer from an eligible B.C. employer. Without one, Express Entry or another program may be the better route.
Is the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream still open?
No. It was officially closed in April 2026; its last invitations were issued in December 2024.
I studied in B.C. Is there still a graduate stream?
No. The International Graduate and Post-Graduate streams have closed and no new student streams will be launched. You can still apply through the Skilled Worker or Health Authority stream with a qualifying job offer, and your B.C. or Canadian studies earn extra registration points.
What does my employer need to do?
Your employer must support your application, complete an Employer Declaration Form and meet the BC PNP's employer requirements. Some employers are not eligible.
Official sources
- WelcomeBC: For workers (Skills Immigration) (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)
Checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
Have a job offer in B.C.?
Find out which stream fits and how competitive your registration could be, in a free 20-minute consultation.
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