Skills Immigration overview
Current overview — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
Program overview
What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program?
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) supports eligible skilled workers and entrepreneurs seeking Canadian permanent residence. The province nominates candidates; the federal government makes the final PR decision.
2026 program status
Skills Immigration currently offers the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams, with Express Entry BC options for eligible candidates. Entrepreneur Immigration is a separate active BC PNP pathway. Historical streams listed below are not new-application options.
Choose your pathway
Current BC PNP worker pathways
Skilled Worker stream
Current — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
Health Authority stream
Current — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
Express Entry BC overview
Current option — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
EEBC Skilled Worker
Current option — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
EEBC Health Authority
Current option — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
Historical information
Historical, closed and superseded pathways
These pages remain available to explain earlier immigration categories and direct visitors to current alternatives. Do not rely on their former eligibility rules for a new application.
International Graduate
Historical — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
International Post-Graduate
Historical — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
EEBC International Post-Graduate
Historical — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
Closed — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
BC PNP Tech initiative
Historical initiative — view status, eligibility and detailed guidance.
Business pathways
Entrepreneur Immigration
BC PNP also provides separate Entrepreneur Immigration pathways for qualifying business applicants. Entrepreneur selection and eligibility differ from Skills Immigration. Explore official entrepreneur pathways →
Government charges
BC PNP Fees in 2026
Provincial government charges depend on the pathway. The following fees apply to Skills Immigration; separate IRCC permanent residence and other third-party charges may apply.
| Skills Immigration stage | Government fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Online registration | No fee |
| Provincial application | $1,750 |
| Request for review | $500 |
Fees must be paid through the official BC PNP Online User Portal. Refunds are restricted; review fees are non-refundable. Entrepreneur Immigration has a separate fee schedule. Verify current charges on WelcomeBC – For Workers and WelcomeBC – For Entrepreneurs.
Timelines
BC PNP Processing Times
WelcomeBC estimates that approximately 80% of cases are processed within these periods, measured for the relevant provincial decision stage:
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Skills Immigration provincial application | 3 months |
| Post-nomination request | 1 month |
| Request for review | 6 months |
These are estimates, not guarantees. Waiting for an invitation is separate, and federal IRCC permanent residence processing is not included. Complexity, completeness, application volumes and nomination allocations may affect the timeline. Official processing-time source.
Selection system
BC PNP Points System: How Registration Scores Work
For applicable Skills Immigration registrations, the BC PNP uses a 200-point system. Points reflect human capital and economic factors; they are not the same as federal Express Entry CRS points.
| Scoring factor | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Directly related work experience | 40 |
| Highest level of education | 40 |
| English or French language proficiency | 40 |
| Hourly wage of the B.C. job offer | 55 |
| Area of employment within British Columbia | 25 |
| Total possible | 200 |
Important: A registration score does not guarantee an invitation. BC PNP may invite applicants using wage, occupation, sector or other targeted criteria rather than a single minimum points score. The Health Authority stream and special initiatives may have different registration or application procedures.
Official scoring tables, evidence requirements and exceptions are explained in the current BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide. Do not use a rough points estimate as a formal eligibility assessment.
Application requirements
Registration Validity, Invitations and Documents
- Registration validity: generally up to 12 months in the registration pool, unless an invitation is issued sooner.
- After an invitation: generally up to 30 calendar days to submit a complete provincial application, where an invitation is required.
- Employer support: eligible job offer and employer declaration/support are important for relevant worker streams.
- Typical supporting evidence: identity, immigration status, qualifications, relevant work history, language results where required, job offer, wage details and employer records. Exact requirements depend on the stream and the official application guide.
- After nomination: submit the appropriate separate application to IRCC for permanent residence within the applicable nomination validity period.
Consult WelcomeBC – Application Process for the current procedures.
Invitation rounds
Latest verified BC PNP Skills Immigration draws
Official results last checked: 13 October 2026. These are historical invitations, not open application windows. Scores are only shown where the province used a points threshold. Figures are not updated automatically.
| Date | Selection | Criteria | Invitations | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Sep 2026 | Innovate – High Economic Impact | Wage ≥ CAD $52/hour and ≥ $105,000/year; NOC TEER 0–3 | 426 | Not applicable |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Innovate – High Economic Impact | Points selection | 288 | 131 |
| 17 Sep 2026 | Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative | Points selection | 33 | 60 |
| 10 Sep 2026 | Care: Childcare | Early childhood educators only | 182 | 99 |
| 10 Sep 2026 | Care: Health | All priority health care occupations | 143 | 76 |
| 22 Apr 2026 | High Economic Impact | Wage ≥ $62/hour and ≥ $125,000/year; TEER 0–3 | 252 | Not applicable |
| 22 Apr 2026 | High Economic Impact | Points selection | 232 | 138 |
Application journey
How to apply under BC PNP
1
Identify the eligible current stream and review the official program guide.
2
Confirm job offer, employer support, work experience, licensing and language requirements as applicable.
3
Create a BC PNP registration where required and await an invitation, if applicable.
4
Submit a complete provincial application within the applicable deadline.
5
If nominated, apply to IRCC for permanent residence under the appropriate federal route.
Common questions
BC PNP frequently asked questions
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program enables the province to nominate eligible workers and entrepreneurs for Canadian permanent residence. IRCC makes the final permanent residence decision.
The current Skills Immigration streams are Skilled Worker and Health Authority. Eligibility and selection policies vary.
No. Express Entry BC is an option within eligible Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams for candidates who also meet federal Express Entry requirements.
No. Invitations depend on registration, selection factors, program priorities and available nomination allocations.
A qualifying job offer and employer support are generally required. The precise requirements and specific provisions depend on the stream.
Some candidates outside Canada may qualify if they meet all provincial and federal requirements, including valid employer support.
The former International Graduate stream is a historical category and should not be treated as an open 2026 intake.
The former International Post-Graduate category is not a current Skills Immigration stream. Check alternative pathways based on work experience and job offers.
No. The former Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream is closed to new applicants.
No. BC PNP Tech was a priority initiative, not an independent immigration stream. Technology workers should check current Skilled Worker requirements.
It is a pathway for qualifying healthcare workers with the required support from an eligible B.C. health authority, subject to occupation and professional requirements.
It supports qualifying workers with eligible skilled employment in British Columbia and the required qualifications, experience and employer support.
These are provincial selection priorities concerning care services, construction and infrastructure, and innovation/economic impact. Selection rules can change.
A score may be used for some invitation selections, but other draws can rely on wages, occupations or targeted criteria. There is no single universal cutoff.
There is no guaranteed fixed schedule. Check the official WelcomeBC invitations page for dated results.
For most Skills Immigration invitations, WelcomeBC indicates up to 30 calendar days; always follow the instructions attached to the invitation.
No. IRCC assesses admissibility and applicable federal permanent residence requirements after provincial nomination.
Yes. Entrepreneur Immigration is a separate BC PNP pathway with its own eligibility, business and application requirements.
Use the official WelcomeBC worker, invitation, documents and news pages linked in this guide.
Peerless can review eligibility, identify the suitable current pathway, explain documentation and assist with application planning. Approval and invitations cannot be guaranteed.
Official references
Official sources and further reading
Explore your British Columbia immigration options
Peerless Immigration Services can assess your background against current BC PNP requirements and explain suitable application routes. No invitation or approval is guaranteed.
Call +91-8595010514 or email info@peerlessimmigration.com.
