British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
The BC PNP nominates candidates for permanent residence in British Columbia. According to the official page (updated June 17, 2026), it includes Skills Immigration (skilled workers, with a stream for healthcare professionals employed by a provincial health authority) and Entrepreneur Immigration. Sector-targeted invitations (care, construction, innovation) are also issued.
Main conditions
- ✓Choose the category that matches your profile: skilled worker (Skills Immigration) or entrepreneur (Entrepreneur Immigration)
- ✓Have the experience, education and qualifications the province considers necessary for its workforce needs
- ✓For certain occupations: hold the required registration or licence and, in construction trades, qualifications that match the job offered
- ✓Be invited to apply, as the province may use more than one factor to issue its invitations
- ✓Once nominated, submit a permanent residence application to IRCC
Countries of origin
Open to candidates from most countries, unless otherwise stated or subject to specific consular restrictions.
Understanding the program
Skills Immigration: skilled workers
Skills Immigration is for skilled workers whose experience, education and qualifications meet the province's workforce needs. The official page notably mentions a stream for healthcare professionals employed by a British Columbia health authority.
Some occupations require registration or a licence: for example, for certain health positions, registration with a provincial registry, and for construction trades, qualifications that match the job offered.
Entrepreneur Immigration
This category is for experienced entrepreneurs and businesses that establish and manage a business in British Columbia. Requirements vary by stream; consult the province's dedicated pages for the investment, management and experience criteria.
Sector-targeted invitations
The province may issue sector-targeted invitations: Care (healthcare, education, childcare, veterinary), Build (construction trades and strategic projects) and Innovate (including "High Economic Impact" invitations). It states that it may use more than one factor to decide its invitations, and may target workers who hold a valid professional designation.
From nomination to permanent residence
A nominated person can then submit a permanent residence application to IRCC. Provincial nomination is therefore a selection step, not a guarantee: IRCC reviews the file and makes the decision. The province's occupation lists rely on the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a job offer in British Columbia?
- The official page does not set a general requirement. Some cases depend on the occupation: registration with a registry, a provincial licence or qualifications matching the job offered. Check the program guide for your occupation.
- How do I know if I am invited?
- The province issues invitations to apply using more than one factor, including sector-targeted invitations. Details are in the program guide and on the province's pages.
- Does a nomination guarantee permanent residence?
- No. The nomination allows you to submit a permanent residence application to IRCC, which checks admissibility and makes the final decision.
Information checked against official pages on October 12, 2026.