Provincial Nominee Programs
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
Targeted worker and business immigration in British Columbia
The BC PNP now operates through a smaller, more selective worker framework and three entrepreneur or corporate business pathways.
Program overview
British Columbia nominates workers and entrepreneurs who can support the province’s labour-market and economic priorities. A qualifying job offer or business proposal is only the starting point; registration, invitation and program capacity may determine whether an application can proceed.
In 2026, Skills Immigration consists of the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams. Both may have an Express Entry BC option. Entrepreneur Immigration includes Base, Regional and Strategic Projects streams.
Current Pathways
Explore British Columbia’s program structure
Open a pathway for a concise explanation. Full eligibility is confirmed only against the current government guide and the applicant’s facts.
Skilled Worker stream
For eligible TEER 0–3 positions supported by a qualifying B.C. employer.Selective
A full-time, indeterminate job offer, employer support, occupational qualifications and at least two years of qualifying experience are central requirements.
Health Authority stream
For eligible employees supported by a B.C. public health authority.Targeted
The offer must be in a health-authority-eligible occupation and supported by authorized health authority personnel.
Express Entry BC option
Enhanced nomination option attached to the federal Express Entry system.Available within 2 streams
Candidates must qualify for Express Entry as well as the Skilled Worker or Health Authority stream.
Entrepreneur Immigration — Base
For qualifying entrepreneurs starting or acquiring and growing a B.C. business.Invitation based
Net worth, investment, business experience, active management, job creation and business viability are assessed.
Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional
For a new business in a participating community outside Metro Vancouver.Community referral
An exploratory visit and community referral are required before registration.
Strategic Projects
For eligible foreign corporations expanding operations into B.C.Corporate pathway
The corporation may propose qualifying key employees and must meet investment, job-creation and business-readiness requirements.
At a Glance
What matters before choosing this province
Employment
Employer support is central to worker streams.
Express Entry
An EEBC option exists within both worker streams.
Business
Base, Regional and Strategic Projects remain listed.
Selection
Eligibility does not guarantee an invitation.
2026 Priorities
Care, Build and Innovate guide BC PNP selection
BC PNP describes Care, Build and Innovate as core program objectives, not three replacement immigration streams. Under Innovate, the province issues High Economic Impact invitations to attract top talent across all sectors, including experienced entrepreneurs. For Skills Immigration, recent Innovate rounds have selected candidates either through high wage and skilled-job criteria or through a high registration score.
The August 20, 2026 Innovate round invited 337 registrations with a minimum wage of $55/hour and $110,000/year in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, plus 265 registrations with a minimum score of 132. These were draw-specific selection thresholds—not permanent Innovate eligibility requirements. Earlier 2026 rounds used different wage and score thresholds.
The September 10 round then targeted Care and Build priorities: 182 childcare invitations at 99 points, 143 health-care invitations at 76, fewer than five veterinary-care invitations at 90, and 104 construction-trades invitations at 94.
On September 17, 2026, BC PNP issued 33 invitations under the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative at a minimum score of 60. This was a temporary initiative with registration having closed August 31, 2026, so it should not be treated as an ongoing general intake pathway.
On September 22, 2026, Entrepreneur Immigration issued 10 Base stream invitations at a minimum score of 119 and fewer than five Regional stream invitations at a minimum score of 119.
On September 24, 2026, the Innovate: High Economic Impact Skills Immigration round issued 426 invitations based on a minimum wage of $52/hour and $105,000/year in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, plus 288 invitations to registrations with a minimum score of 131. These are draw-specific selection thresholds and should not be treated as permanent eligibility criteria.
Last reviewed September 27, 2026 against WelcomeBC. Selection factors, thresholds and intake conditions can change between rounds.Official Sources
Current government instructions
These links are provided for verification. CanLink applies the rules in force to the client’s circumstances and filing date.
Assess your British Columbia nomination options
A province should be selected because your employment, experience, community connection or business plan genuinely fits—not simply because a stream appears easier.