BC Announces Sweeping Changes to Provincial Nominee Program in 2025

BC announced, in a news release, that it started the year 2025 with more applications than it had nominations. There was a backlog of around 5,200 applications at the start of the year, and BC is only able to process 4,000 nominations through its Provincial Nominee Program due to the federal government slashing targets for the PNP in 2025.  

In this post, we dig through the changes and who they will impact, and we also outline which applications BC will be prioritizing in 2025.  

Key Takeaways 

• BC plans to use its 2025 PNP allocation to fill positions in critical labour markets and to meet economic needs. This means healthcare, entrepreneurs, and high economic impact candidates will be targeted.  

• Applications already received by BCPNP will be processed in 2025, except International Post-Graduate applications received between September 1, 2024 and January 7, 2025, which will be waitlisted.  

• Around 100 nominations will be issued to Skills Immigration registrants based on high economic impact. This pool has over 10,000 candidates.  

• Entrepreneurs will continue to be invited throughout 2025.  

• Health Authority Stream positions will be limited to those directly providing healthcare services, and Early Childhood Education Assistants will no longer be targeted.  

No Direct Pathway for BC-Based International Students 

While BC had previously planned to tighten pathways for immigration for international students, the significant change to its nomination allocation for 2025 has caused it to pause pathways for international students. The announcement notes that its new student pathways will not be launched “until BC’s allocation levels are restored”.  

While we don’t know what the Liberal government plans to do under Prime Minister Mark Carney, we would encourage international student graduates to focus on other pathways in the meantime. It’s possible (and even likely) these pathways will be paused beyond 2025.  

If you previously submitted an application for BC’s International Student pathways between September 1, 2024 and January 7, 2025 (prior to the pause), those applications will be waitlisted. In other words, you will unfortunately need to consider alternative pathways in 2025.  

Health Authority Stream Restricted 

BC’s health authority stream has been restricted to positions that contribute directly to the provision of healthcare services, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.  

The specific criteria outlined notes that you must:  

• Demonstrate support from your employer (a BC public health authority) to apply to the BC PNP. 

• Work in an indeterminate, full-time position in an occupation with a NOC starting in a 3; or a social work position (NOC 41300); or a therapist in counselling or related position (NOC 41301); or a social and community service work position (NOC 42201). 

• Be ready to work in your profession in BC if you are a physician, nurse practitioner, or midwife.  

• Meet all other requirements in the Skills Immigration Program Guide.  

The news release also indicated that the BC government will be consulting with the Ministry of Health to develop enhanced guidelines for social workers and community service workers in 2025.  

Early Education Assistants Will Not Be Invited in 2025 

Targeted invitations in childcare will focus on Early Childhood Educator positions. Assistants in this field will no longer be part of the targeted draws throughout 2025.  

3 Month Processing Standard To Be Restored 

BC is aiming to restore a three-month processing timeline for applications submitted in 2025 (bearing in mind that this change will impact only 1,100 new applications this year).  

Processing timelines have been drawn out since 2024 due to the high numbers of applications being submitted.

Entrepreneur Stream Draws to Continue 

So far in 2025, we’ve seen three Entrepreneur Stream draws through the BC PNP, totalling around 16-28 invitations across the base and regional pilots. 

BC plans to continue to complete Entrepreneur stream draws throughout 2025.  

High Economic Impact Skilled Workers Targeted in 2025  

BC plans to nominate ‘a limited number’, likely around 100, of Skilled Workers – based on their likelihood of creating a high economic impact. At the moment, there are over 10,000 Skills Immigration registrants in the BC pool, so odds are generally low of receiving an invitation through this pathway in 2025.  

If you’re registered and waiting to receive an invitation this year, we suggest considering alternatives.  

We are likely to see a very small draw in early May, based on BC’s news announcement.  

Next Steps 

If you are not likely to receive an invitation in 2025 through BC’s PNP and that was your plan, you may need to consider alternative pathways.  

Express Entry remains extremely competitive, though learning French remains a viable strategy this year.  

If you need to discuss your options, we suggest speaking with one of our recommended immigration consultants.