B.C. Sets 2026 Immigration Targets for Health, Child Care

British Columbia has set 2026 nomination targets for health-care workers and early childhood educators under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, giving the two groups a major share of the province’s immigration spaces.

Health Care Gets Largest Targeted Share

B.C. plans to nominate between 1,620 and 2,015 workers in priority health-care occupations by the end of 2026. It also expects to nominate between 360 and 440 early childhood educators under National Occupational Classification code 42202.

The province received 6,254 total BCPNP nomination spaces for 2026. If B.C. reaches the lower end of its health-care target, those workers would receive about 25.9 per cent of all nominations. At the upper end, their share would rise to 32.2 per cent.

Early childhood educators would account for 5.8 to 7.0 per cent. Together, the two groups could receive between 31.7 and 39.3 per cent of all BCPNP nominations this year. That could exceed their combined 2025 nomination share.

The targets appeared in B.C.’s 2025 Statistical Report and Year in Review, released Aug. 26.

Priority Sectors Shape 2026 Nominations

Remaining nomination spaces will support workers in education, veterinary care and construction, along with candidates considered to have a high economic impact in other sectors.

In 2025, B.C. nominated 1,435 priority health-care workers and 409 early childhood educators. Combined, they received 1,844 of the province’s 6,214 nominations, or 29.7 per cent.

B.C. identifies 31 priority health-care occupations, including physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, medical laboratory workers and paramedical professionals.

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates under NOC 33102 must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry. Early childhood educators must hold a one-year or five-year certificate issued by the provincial ECE Registry.

Although B.C. is prioritizing five sectors in 2026 — health care, child care, education, veterinary care and construction — the report provides specific nomination targets only for health care and early childhood education.

Regional and Invitation Targets Remain Important

At least 35 per cent of skilled worker nominations across all sectors will go to people working outside Metro Vancouver. In 2025, that figure reached 38 per cent.

As of Aug. 25, B.C. had invited 474 priority health-care workers and 451 early childhood educators to apply for nomination, a combined 925 invitations. Across all worker streams, the province had issued at least 4,838 invitations.

B.C. has not disclosed how many 2026 applications have resulted in successful nominations. In 2025, 6,195 of 6,553 worker-stream nomination applications were approved, equal to a 94.5 per cent approval rate.

How the BCPNP Pathway Works

Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through a BCPNP worker stream must meet the stream’s eligibility requirements and have a full-time job offer from a B.C. employer.

Candidates submit an expression of interest through the BCPNP online portal. The province scores profiles using factors such as work experience, language ability and offered wage. Candidates selected in a draw receive an invitation to apply and have 30 days to submit a complete application.

Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination certificate, which they can use to apply to the federal government for permanent residence.