Provincial Nomination -British Colombia
Skills Immigration
The BC PNP is not currently expecting to resume general or priority occupation-targeted invitations to apply (ITAs) in 2025. Rather, the program will issue a limited number of ITAs to Skills Immigration registrants who are likely to create high economic impact in B.C. The program anticipates nominating approximately 100 such individuals from the registration pool, which currently has more than 10,000 candidates. For more information, please see the April 14, 2025 News post.
BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration is a way for workers and recent graduates with the skills, experience and qualifications needed by B.C. employers to permanently settle in B.C.
Skills Immigration is made up of three streams, each designed for people with different types of skills, experience and education. Two of these streams also have an Express Entry BC option.
Skills Immigration streams and eligibility
Skilled Worker
Health Authority
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)
Program priorities
Childcare
Construction
Healthcare
Technology
Veterinary care
Piloprogramst
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
Skills Immigration streams and eligibility
Skills Immigration has three streams. Each one has a unique set of criteria.Eligibility for many Skills Immigration streams is based in part on the federal government’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The BC PNP uses the 2021 version of the NOC.
Skilled Worker
The Skilled Worker stream is for experienced workers in a professional, management, technical, trade or other occupations to gain permanent residence in B.C.Eligibility
To qualify for this stream, you must:
Have accepted an indeterminate* (no defined end date), full-time, job offer from a B.C. employer
Your job offer must be classified as NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3
Be qualified to perform the duties of the job
Have a minimum of two years of full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Meet minimum language requirements
Have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation
Show you can support yourself and your dependants
This stream also has an Express Entry BC option.
* Your job offer does not need to be indeterminate if it is in a priority technology occupation or is in NOC 41200 (university professors and lecturers).
Health Authority
The Health Authority stream offers a permanent residence pathway to people working in select healthcare occupations for a health authority in B.C.
You do not need to register for this stream. If you meet eligibility requirements, you can submit an application directly to the BC PNP.
Eligibility
To qualify for this stream, you must:
Demonstrate that you have obtained support from your employer (must be a B.C. public health authority) to apply to the BC PNP
Your B.C. public health authority employer must agree to support your application before you apply. Health authorities are not obligated to support BC PNP applications
Direct employees: have an indeterminate (no defined end date), full-time job offer in one of the following health occupations:
An occupation identified by the NOC as a health occupation (any NOC that starts with a 3)
Social workers (NOC 41300)
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (NOC 41301)
Social and community service workers (NOC 42201)
Physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives: be ready to work in your profession in B.C.
Meet all other requirements in the Skills Immigration Program Guide
This stream also has the Express Entry BC (EEBC) option.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream is a way for workers in select occupations in the tourism/hospitality or food processing sectors to gain permanent residence in B.C.Eligibility
To qualify for this stream, you must:
Have accepted an indeterminate (no defined end date), full-time job offer from a B.C. employer
Your occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations for your sector. All ELSS-eligible occupations are classified as NOC TEER 4 or 5
For the Northeast Development Region of B.C., you may apply if you are working in any NOC TEER category 4 or 5 occupation, other than live-in caregivers
Have been working full-time for your employer for a minimum of nine consecutive months before registering.
Be qualified to do the job offered to you, including meeting any certification or registration requirements in B.C.
Meet minimum language and education requirements
Have a wage offer in line with B.C. wage rates for the occupation
Show you can support yourself and your dependants
Please note that this stream does not have the Express Entry BC option.
.
Eligible ELSS occupations