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The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program for a broad range of workers and entrepreneurs to settle in British Columbia permanently.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program BCPNP
The BCPNP is one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). It is one of the most varied, with two broad streams Skills Immigration and one stream for entrepreneurs.
These streams are further divided into various categories. Some British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program categories are aligned with Canada’s federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Successful applicants under one of these categories obtain 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the pool.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Skilled worker | Yes | Yes | Job offer in a skilled position |
| Health Authority | Yes | No | Job offer from a BC health authority, or in a priority healthcare occupation |
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| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Skilled worker - EE | Yes | Yes | Job offer in a skilled position |
| Health Authority- EE | Yes | No | Job offer from a BC health authority, or in a priority healthcare occupation |
|
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| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | No, but must create at least one job | No | High net worth; business proposal |
BC PNP Entrepreneur Streams
BC Entrepreneur
For experienced businesspeople willing to invest in and manage a business in BC.
BC Entrepreneur Regional
For experienced businesspeople willing to invest in and manage a business in one of BC’s smaller communities.
Strategic Projects
This pathway allows well-established companies to expand their operations into BC and bring in key staff with the expertise to manage and grow the business.
Permanently Closed Streams
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)
For workers in a valid tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food processing occupation. Not aligned with Express Entry.
BC International Graduate
For workers who hold a skilled job offer from a BC employer and who completed post-secondary education at an eligible school in Canada. Does not require an Express Entry profile.
BC International Post-Graduate
For those who graduate from an eligible Master’s/PhD program in BC in natural, applied, or health sciences. Does not require an Express Entry profile.
BC PNP Tech
A unique pathway for skilled tech and IT workers in an eligible occupation.
Which BC PNP are open now?
You can find out which BC PNP categories are open right now in our PNP Canada Live Tracker.
How to Apply for British Columbia PNP?
To apply for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), you must first determine your eligibility under one of the program’s streams:
- BC PNP: Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker (Express Entry option available)
- BC PNP: Health Authority (Express Entry option available)
If you qualify for one of the programs, you can register online through the BC PNP portal by submitting a profile. This profile is scored based on factors such as work experience, education, and language proficiency. If you are selected, you will receive an invitation to apply, and you must complete and submit your application within 30 days. Successful nominees will receive a provincial nomination, which they can use to apply for permanent residence with the federal government.
Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) in the BCPNP
Some British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program categories are managed under a unique system, known as the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Under the SIRS, potential applicants are first required to register a profile and provide some personal information relating to their job offer in BC, work experience, language ability, and level of education. The SIRS works on an Expression of Interest / Invitation to Apply basis, whereby registered candidates are assigned a score (out of 200), and the BC government conducts periodic draws in which candidates who meet the cut-off threshold for their category in that draw are invited to apply for a provincial nomination.
Though some BC PNP categories require applicants to have a job offer from a BC employer, certain categories managed outside the SIRS do not require applicants to have a job offer.
What is the Minimum CRS Score for British Columbia PNP?
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) does not use the federal minimum score required to receive an invitation to apply (ITA); it varies by stream and draw. For example, in the most recent draw on August 6, 2026, candidates needed between 68 to 102 points under the Skills Immigration stream to receive an invitation.
Scores can differ significantly depending on the occupation (Childcare, Health, Education, Trades, etc), stream, and whether the draw is general or targeted. For Entrepreneur Immigration, recent draws have required scores ranging from 113 to 118 points, depending on the stream and region. It’s important to regularly check the official BC PNP invitations page for the latest draw results and minimum score requirements.
BC PNP Application Fees
On January 22, 2026, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) increased the Skills Immigration application fee from $1,475 to $1,750.
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BC PNP Occupations to Qualify
BC PNP – Care – Healthcare Occupations
| NOC | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 assists, midwives and allied health profs |
| 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 elect. diagnostic techs |
| 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 |
BC PNP – Care – Childcare and Education Occupations
| NOC | Description |
|---|---|
| 42202 | Early childhood educators |
| 41220 | Secondary school teachers (French-speaking only) |
| 41221 | Elementary/Kindergarten teachers (French-speaking only) |
BC PNP – Care – Veterinary Occupations
| NOC | Description |
|---|---|
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
BC PNP – Build – Construction Trades
| NOC | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 |
BC Health Authority Stream Occupations
| NOC | Description |
|---|---|
| 30010 | Managers in health care |
| 31100 | Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine |
| 31101 | Specialists in surgery |
| 31102 | General practitioners and family physicians |
| 31103 | Veterinarians |
| 31110 | Dentists |
| 31111 | Optometrists |
| 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 and assessment |
| 31209 | Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating |
| 31300 | Nursing coordinators and supervisors |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurse |
| 31302 | Nurse practitioners |
| 31303 | Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals |
| 32100 | Opticians |
| 32101 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 32102 | Paramedical occupations |
| 32103 | Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists |
| 32104 | Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
| 32109 | Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment |
| 32110 | Denturists |
| 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 |
| 32124 | Pharmacy technicians |
| 32129 | Other medical technologists and technicians |
| 32200 | Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists |
| 32201 | Massage therapists |
| 32209 | Other practitioners of healing |
| 33100 | Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants1 |
| 33101 | Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates2 |
| 33103 | Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 33109 | Other assisting occupations in support of health services |
| 41300 | Social workers |
| 41301 | Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies |
| 42201 | Social and community service workers |
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PNPs: Essential Resources
Which PNPs are open right now?
Find out the latest PNP draw results and check which PNPs are open with our PNP Live Tracker.
PNPs: A Beginner's Guide
New to PNPs? Find out what they are and how they work here.
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About the author
Indira Duarte
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Get matched to job opportunities
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Our immigration roadmaps will teach you the basics of Express Entry, study permits, and more! Take control of your own immigration process.

