The BC PNP now organizes its immigration priorities around three major categories:

• Care;
• Build; and
• Innovate.

The “Care” category focuses on strengthening:

• healthcare services;
• childcare;
• education;
• veterinary care; and
• community support services.

Because British Columbia received fewer nomination allocations than requested from the federal government, the province now prioritizes occupations considered essential to public services and community wellbeing.

Healthcare and care economy occupations are now among the strongest pathways to provincial nomination in British Columbia.

Main Healthcare & Care Economy Pathways

There are now two primary pathways for care economy workers under the BC PNP:

1. Health Authority Stream

For workers directly employed by a public health authority in British Columbia.

2. Skilled Worker Stream with Targeted Care Occupations

For eligible healthcare, childcare, education, veterinary, and community care workers employed outside the Health Authority Stream.

BC PNP Health Authority Stream

The Health Authority Stream provides a direct permanent residence pathway for healthcare workers employed by a public health authority in British Columbia.

Unlike many other BC PNP streams:

• applicants do not need to register through the BC PNP points system; and
• eligible candidates may apply directly to the BC PNP.

This stream remains one of the strongest immigration pathways in British Columbia for healthcare workers.

Eligible Public Health Authorities

Applicants must generally work for one of British Columbia’s public health authorities:

• Provincial Health Services Authority;
• First Nations Health Authority;
• Fraser Health;
• Interior Health;
• Island Health;
• Northern Health;
• Vancouver Coastal Health; or
• Providence Health Care.

The health authority must agree to support the BC PNP application.

Eligible Occupations Under the Health Authority Stream

The Health Authority Stream includes a wide range of healthcare occupations.

Eligible occupations include:

• physicians;
• nurses;
• nurse practitioners;
• pharmacists;
• dentists;
• physiotherapists;
• occupational therapists;
• respiratory therapists;
• social workers;
• medical laboratory technologists;
• healthcare assistants;
• pharmacy technicians;
• counsellors;
• paramedics; and
• other healthcare professionals and support workers.

Most occupations beginning with NOC category “3” are generally considered healthcare occupations.

The stream also includes:

• Social workers (NOC 41300);
• Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (NOC 41301); and
• Social and community service workers (NOC 42201).

Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Midwives

Physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives may qualify even if they are not direct employees of a public health authority.

Applicants must provide:

• a recommendation letter;
• proof of qualifications;
• confirmation of work location; and
• support from a BC public health authority or midwife practice group.

The supporting organization must confirm that the applicant:

• is working or will soon work in British Columbia; and
• is supported for BC PNP nomination.

Priority Healthcare Occupations in 2026

British Columbia now conducts targeted invitations for many healthcare occupations.

The following occupations are specifically prioritized:

Healthcare Assistants and Care Aides

Workers under NOC 33102 may receive targeted invitations only if they are:

• registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

This requirement applies to:

• healthcare assistants;
• care aides; and
• patient service associates.

Registration is mandatory for targeted healthcare invitations under this occupation.

Veterinary Care Occupations

The BC PNP now prioritizes veterinary occupations under the care economy category.

Eligible occupations include:

Workers pursuing Canadian licensing or certification may receive priority consideration.

Childcare and Education Occupations

British Columbia also prioritizes select education and childcare occupations.

Early Childhood Educators

Eligible occupation:

Applicants generally require:

• an Early Childhood Education One-Year Certificate; or
• a Five-Year ECE Certificate.

French-Speaking Teachers

British Columbia now prioritizes French-speaking teachers employed in the public K–12 school system.

Eligible occupations include:

Applicants must generally demonstrate:

• CLB/NCLC 5 or higher in French.

This initiative supports francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Temporary Rural Health Support Worker Initiative (2026)

British Columbia announced a temporary, limited-time initiative for:

• cleaners; and
• security staff

working in rural and remote healthcare facilities.

This initiative is expected to open in June 2026.

Up to 250 workers may receive nominations.

Eligible workers must:

• work for a BC health authority;
• work in rural or remote communities; and
• meet future program criteria once announced.

This initiative recognizes the importance of support staff in healthcare operations across regional British Columbia.

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants under BC PNP healthcare pathways must generally:

• meet education and licensing requirements;
• demonstrate qualifications for the occupation;
• receive a qualifying job offer or employer support;
• meet wage requirements;
• demonstrate ability to establish economically in British Columbia; and
• maintain legal immigration status if currently in Canada.

Applicants may be in:

• temporary foreign worker status;
• postgraduate work permit status; or
• another valid temporary resident category.

Express Entry BC Option

Some healthcare workers may apply through the Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option.

Applicants must have:

• a valid Express Entry profile number; and
• a Job Seeker Validation Code.

The EEBC pathway may provide:

• faster permanent residence processing; and
• additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points after nomination.