British Columbia has made significant changes to its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) after the federal government slashed its annual immigration nomination allocation. These changes are designed to protect provincial labour priorities and provide fairness to applicants already in the system.
On This Page You Will Find:
- Why B.C. is updating its immigration program
- New priorities for BC PNP nominations in 2025
- Who can still apply under the revised system
- What happens to current applicants
- Key changes to targeted occupations and ITAs
- Frequently asked questions
Why B.C. Is Changing Its PNP in 2025
In 2024, British Columbia nominated 8,000 skilled workers and entrepreneurs to help meet its economic needs and support essential sectors. The province had requested an expanded 2025 allocation of 11,000, citing urgent labour shortages. However, the federal government granted only 4,000 nomination spaces for the year – a 50 per cent cut.
This unexpected decision significantly limits B.C.’s ability to attract and retain newcomers in key industries such as healthcare, housing, child care, and construction. In response, B.C. is narrowing the focus of the BC PNP and restricting new applications to only the most essential roles.
New Priorities for BC PNP Nominations
British Columbia began 2025 with a large inventory of 5,200 existing applications – already more than the total nominations available for the year. As a result, the province will process most of this inventory while only accepting about 1,100 new applications.
These new applications will come from a select group of candidates, including:
- Healthcare professionals in occupations directly involved in delivering care
- Skilled workers with high economic impact
- Entrepreneur applicants
General invitations to apply (ITAs) for skilled workers and international graduates will not resume in 2025. Instead, the province will issue a limited number of targeted ITAs to candidates who align with B.C.’s strategic economic goals.
What Happens to Current Applications?
The BC PNP will continue to process:
- All job offer–based Skills Immigration applications received in 2024
- International Post-Graduate (IPG) applications submitted before September 1, 2024
However, IPG applications received between September 1, 2024 and January 7, 2025 are being waitlisted and will only be processed if the federal government increases the province’s allocation. The IPG stream closed in early January after receiving more than double the number of applications submitted in 2023.
Most IPG applicants remain in Canada on a post-graduate work permit, but B.C. is seeking support from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to extend permits for those nearing expiration.
Changes to Targeted Occupations
Eligibility for the Health Authority stream has been narrowed to focus exclusively on positions directly contributing to healthcare service delivery. This includes:
- All NOC occupations starting with the digit 3
- Social workers (NOC 41300)
- Counsellors and therapists (NOC 41301)
- Community service workers (NOC 42201)
B.C. is also consulting with the Ministry of Health to introduce enhanced guidelines for social and community service roles, ensuring that candidates meet the necessary qualifications.
In child care, future targeted draws will focus solely on Early Childhood Educators (ECEs). ECE Assistants are no longer eligible under the targeted occupation list.
Other Program Changes
Plans to launch three new student-focused immigration streams in 2025 are now on hold. The BC PNP has also committed to restoring a three-month service standard for new applications submitted this year.
Entrepreneur Immigration draws will continue as scheduled, offering a pathway for those creating jobs and economic growth in the province. However, in the Skills Immigration stream, only about 100 invitations are expected to be issued in 2025 – targeting those deemed to have the highest potential economic impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did British Columbia reduce the number of new PNP applications in 2025?
Because the federal government cut B.C.’s annual nomination allocation in half, the province must prioritise existing applications and focus on high-need roles like healthcare and childcare.
Can I still apply to the BC PNP this year?
Yes, but only under specific streams. B.C. is accepting a limited number of new applications from healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and workers who can deliver high economic impact.
What’s happening to International Post-Graduate applicants?
If you applied before September 1, 2024, your application will be processed in 2025. If you applied after that, you’ve been waitlisted and may face delays unless nomination spaces increase.
Will general draws or priority occupation invitations happen in 2025?
No. The BC PNP will not conduct general or priority ITA rounds this year. Only targeted invitations will be issued for a small number of top-impact candidates.
How is B.C. helping applicants with expiring work permits?
The province is working with the federal government to support temporary extensions for qualified individuals so they can remain in Canada while awaiting PNP decisions.
