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Updated on February 9, 2026
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program for a broad range of workers, graduates, 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 |
| Entry Level and Semi-Skilled | Yes | Yes | Job offer in tourism/hospitality, trucking, or food processing industry |
|
|||
| 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 |
|
|||
| 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
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.
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)
- BC PNP: Tech Program
- BC PNP: Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
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 May 8, 2025, candidates needed a minimum score of 150 points under the Skills Immigration stream to receive an invitation.
However, scores can differ significantly depending on the occupation, stream (e.g., Skilled Worker, International Graduate), and whether the draw is general or targeted. For Entrepreneur Immigration, recent draws have required scores ranging from 115 to 123 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 Tech Occupations
| BC PNP Tech Occupations |
|---|
| 10030 Telecommunication carriers managers |
| 20012 Computer and information systems managers |
| 21100 Physicists and astronomers |
| 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
| 21211 Data scientists |
| 21220 Cybersecurity specialists |
| 21221 Business systems specialists |
| 21222 Information systems specialists |
| 21223 Database analysts and data administrators |
| 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers |
| 21231 Software engineers and designers |
| 21232 Software developers and programmers |
| 21233 Web designers |
| 21234 Web developers and programmers |
| 21300 Civil engineers |
| 21301 Mechanical engineers |
| 21310 Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 21320 Chemical engineers |
| 21399 Other professional engineers |
| 22110 Biological technologists and technicians |
| 22220 Computer network and web technicians |
| 22221 User support technicians |
| 22222 Information systems testing technicians |
| 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 22312 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
| 50011 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts |
| 51111 Authors and writers (except technical) |
| 51112 Technical writers |
| 51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
| 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts |
| 52112 Broadcast technicians |
| 52113 Audio and video recording technicians |
| 52120 Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators |
BC PNP Construction Occupations
| BC PNP Construction Occupations |
|---|
| 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists |
| 72102 Sheet metal workers |
| 72103 Boilermakers |
| 72104 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
| 72105 Ironworkers |
| 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 |
| 72302 Gas fitters |
| 72310 Carpenters |
| 72311 Cabinetmakers |
| 72320 Bricklayers |
| 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 72500 Crane operators |
| 73100 Concrete finishers |
| 73101 Tilesetters |
| 73102 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
| 73110 Roofers and shinglers |
| 73111 Glaziers |
| 73112 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
| 73113 Floor covering installers |
BC PNP Healthcare Occupations
| BC PNP Healthcare Occupations |
|---|
| 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 and assessment |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations |
| 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants |
| 41300 Social workers |
| 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies |
| 42201 Social and community service workers |
BC PNP Childcare Occupations
| BC PNP Childcare Occupations |
|---|
| 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants |
BC PNP Veterinary Occupations
| BC PNP Childcare Occupations |
|---|
| 31103 Veterinarians |
| 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians |
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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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Resources to Help You Succeed in the BC PNPs
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About the author
Indira Duarte
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