BC Provincial Nominee Program
British Columbia nominates skilled workers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses that meet the province's labour market and economic development needs. A BC PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile — virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from IRCC.
What is the BC PNP?
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is British Columbia's economic immigration program, offering a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers, experienced entrepreneurs, and businesses that meet the province's labour market and economic development needs.
The program operates under a two-step process: first, the applicant receives a provincial nomination from the BC PNP; then, they apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
The BC PNP offers two main immigration pathways:
Skills Immigration — for skilled workers with the qualifications and experience needed to fill labour market gaps in B.C.
Entrepreneur Immigration — for experienced entrepreneurs and businesses that can contribute to B.C.'s economy by establishing or managing businesses in the province.
Express Entry BC (EEBC) Option
Workers applying through the Skilled Worker or Health Authority stream may use the Express Entry BC (EEBC) option if they are already in the federal Express Entry pool. A BC PNP nomination through EEBC adds 600 CRS points to the applicant’s Express Entry profile, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC. IRCC then processes the permanent residence application on a priority basis — typically within 6 months.
Program Priorities
The BC PNP focuses its draws on three strategic initiatives. Workers in priority sectors may receive targeted Invitations to Apply (ITAs), sometimes ahead of the regular draw cycle.
Care
Healthcare, childcare, education, and veterinary care workers filling critical gaps in B.C.'s care economy.
Build
Certified trade workers and skilled workers contributing to B.C.'s infrastructure and construction delivery.
Innovate
Highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs across all sectors driving innovation and economic growth in B.C.
Skills Immigration Streams
Skills Immigration is for skilled workers with the experience, education, and qualifications to address B.C.'s workforce needs. Workers apply to one of two streams based on their job offer and occupation.
| Criteria | Skilled Worker Stream | Health Authority Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Job offer | NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation | Health Authority–eligible occupation |
| Employer | Any eligible B.C. employer | A B.C. health authority employer |
| Work experience | Minimum 2 years full-time equivalent | As required by the BC PNP and health authority employer |
| Education | Minimum credential for the occupation | Minimum credential required by the health authority employer |
| Language | Minimum CLB 4 in all 4 abilities | Minimum CLB 4 in all 4 abilities |
| Wage | Must meet B.C. minimum wage and income requirements | Must meet B.C. minimum wage and income requirements |
| Employer support | Completed Employer Declaration Form required before registration | Completed Employer Declaration Form from authorized health authority personnel |
| EEBC option available | Yes | Yes |
These are the core eligibility criteria. Exceptions exist for certain occupations and situations. Our RCIC will confirm your eligibility before you register.
Occupations Not Eligible for Skills Immigration
The following occupations are excluded from all Skills Immigration streams regardless of TEER level:
Administrative Professionals
Sales and Service Workers
Religious Occupations
Entrepreneur Immigration Streams
Entrepreneur Immigration is for experienced entrepreneurs and businesses that want to establish, purchase, or manage a business in B.C. There are three streams depending on applicant type and location.
Base Stream
For entrepreneurs looking to establish or purchase a qualifying business in B.C.'s metropolitan and major urban areas.
Key requirements
Process: Submit Expression of Interest → receive invitation → submit application → enter into a Performance Agreement with BC PNP → establish business → apply for nomination.
Regional Stream
For entrepreneurs establishing businesses in communities outside Metro Vancouver. Lower investment thresholds apply.
Key requirements
Strategic Projects Stream
For businesses (not individual entrepreneurs) proposing projects of strategic importance to B.C.'s economy.
Key requirements
Our RCIC will assess your business profile, investment capacity, and proposed business concept before you commit to any stream. Entrepreneur Immigration involves a multi-stage process — book a consultation to start.
Priority Occupation Lists
The BC PNP may issue targeted Invitations to Apply to workers in specific occupations. The following lists reflect the program's current sectoral priorities. Having an occupation on this list does not guarantee an invitation — registration score and program capacity also determine who receives ITAs.
Care — Healthcare
Care — Healthcare
Workers in these occupations employed by a B.C. health authority may be eligible for the Health Authority stream. Workers in the broader health sector are also considered in draws.
| NOC | Title |
|---|---|
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31112 | Audiologists and speech-language pathologists |
| 31120 | Pharmacists |
| 31121 | Dietitians and nutritionists |
| 31200 | Psychologists |
| 31201 | Chiropractors |
| 31202 | Physiotherapists |
| 31203 | Occupational therapists |
| 31204 | Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32111 | Dental hygienists and dental therapists |
| 32112 | Dental technologists and technicians |
| 32120 | Medical laboratory technologists |
| 32121 | Medical radiation technologists |
| 32122 | Medical sonographers |
| 32123 | Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists |
| 32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 41300 | Social workers |
NOC 33102 requires registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry to receive a targeted invitation.
Care — Childcare
Care — Childcare
Certified early childhood educators working in B.C. are prioritized.
| NOC | Title |
|---|---|
| 42202 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
To receive a targeted invitation, ECEs must hold a one-year or five-year ECE certificate issued by the BC ECE Registry.
Care — Education
Care — Education
French-speaking teachers employed in B.C.'s public K–12 school system are prioritized.
| NOC | Title |
|---|---|
| 41220 | Secondary school teachers |
| 41221 | Elementary and kindergarten teachers |
Both NOCs require the applicant to be French-speaking (CLB 5 or higher in French) and employed in B.C.'s public K–12 system.
Care — Veterinary Care
Care — Veterinary Care
Veterinary professionals working toward or holding Canadian certification are prioritized.
| NOC | Title |
|---|---|
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
Build — Construction Trades
Build — Construction Trades
To receive a targeted invitation, trade workers must hold a valid trade certificate issued by SkilledTradesBC — or have a trades apprenticeship registered with SkilledTradesBC — corresponding to the offered occupation.
| NOC | Title |
|---|---|
| 72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
| 72200 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 72201 | Industrial electricians |
| 72300 | Plumbers |
| 72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 72310 | Carpenters |
| 72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 72402 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
Innovate — High Economic Impact
Innovate — High Economic Impact
The BC PNP issues High Economic Impact invitations across all sectors to attract top talent and experienced entrepreneurs. These draws are not limited to a fixed occupation list. Workers and entrepreneurs who demonstrate significant economic contribution to B.C. — through wage level, job creation, investment, or sector strategic importance — may be considered.
Our RCIC can assess whether your profile is competitive for a High Economic Impact invitation based on current draw patterns.
How the BC PNP Works
There are four key stages: registration, invitation, application, and decision. After a nomination is issued, the applicant submits a separate permanent residence application to IRCC.
Choose your stream
Determine which stream fits your profile — Skilled Worker, Health Authority, or one of the Entrepreneur Immigration streams. If you are in the federal Express Entry pool and meet stream criteria, decide whether to use the Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
Register online
Submit a registration through the BC PNP Online User Portal. Your registration is scored based on human capital factors (work experience, education, language proficiency) and economic factors (wage offered, job location in B.C.). Your registration enters a pool for your chosen stream and remains active for up to 12 months, or until you receive an invitation. There is no fee to register.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The BC PNP issues ITAs in draws from the registration pool. Draws may be general (all eligible registrants) or targeted (specific sectors such as healthcare or construction trades). If you receive an ITA, you have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application. If you do not submit within 30 days, your invitation expires and your registration is removed from the pool.
Submit your BC PNP application
Pay the $1,750 application fee and submit all required documents through the BC PNP Online Portal. Your application is assessed under the Provincial Immigration Programs Act and the eligibility criteria for your stream. Processing takes approximately 3 months for 80% of applications.
Receive your nomination
If approved, you receive a Confirmation of Nomination letter from the BC PNP. You must then submit your permanent residence application to IRCC before the nomination expires. EEBC route: your Express Entry profile receives 600 additional CRS points, IRCC will issue an ITA in the next Express Entry draw, and your PR application is processed on a priority basis (typically within 6 months of IRCC application). Non-EEBC route: you apply to IRCC for permanent residence directly using the provincial nominee category outside of Express Entry.
IRCC permanent residence application
Submit your application to IRCC and maintain compliance with all conditions of nomination while the application is processed. If approved, you become a permanent resident of Canada.
Processing Times
| Stage | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| BC PNP application | ~3 months (80% of cases) |
| Post-nomination request | ~1 month |
| Request for Review | ~6 months |
| IRCC PR application (EEBC route) | ~6 months |
| IRCC PR application (non-EEBC) | Varies |
Government Fees
The BC PNP charges provincial fees to process applications. These are separate from IRCC's permanent residence application fees.
BC PNP Provincial Fees
| Stage | Fee (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | No fee | Free to register and enter the pool |
| Application | $1,750 CAD | Paid before submitting your full application |
| Request for Review | $500 CAD | If your application is refused — non-refundable |
IRCC Permanent Residence Fees (after BC PNP nomination)
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant | $1,525 |
| Spouse or common-law partner | $1,525 |
| Dependent child (per child) | $260 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (principal applicant) | $575 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (spouse/partner) | $575 |
Important:Government fees are payable directly to the BC PNP and IRCC respectively, and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by the relevant authority at any time. A complete itemized quote — including Asteco's professional fees, government fees, and applicable third-party costs — is provided before you commit to any service.
How Asteco Can Help
The BC PNP involves a multi-stage process — registration scoring, invitation timing, strict application deadlines, and coordinating two separate applications (BC PNP and IRCC). Our RCIC-regulated team manages every step.
Disclaimer: BC PNP stream criteria, priority occupation lists, fees, and processing times are established by the Province of British Columbia and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information on this page reflects BC PNP guidelines as published in May 2026. This page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.
Ready to Apply?
Our RCIC will assess your BC PNP eligibility across both Skills and Entrepreneur Immigration pathways.
Check My Eligibility — FreeBook a ConsultationQuick Facts
Information reflects BC PNP guidelines as of May 2026. Program criteria and fees are subject to change by the Province of British Columbia and IRCC at any time. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.