BC PNP Invites 284+ Workers in Four Priority Sectors

British Columbia invited at least 284 skilled workers to apply for provincial nomination through its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) on October 8, 2026.

The latest selection focused on workers in construction, health care, veterinary care and child care. The province targeted occupations that support essential services and address labour shortages.

Successful applicants may receive a provincial nomination, allowing them to take the next step towards Canadian permanent residence.

Construction Workers Receive the Most Invitations

Construction trades received the largest number of invitations, with 115 candidates selected at a minimum score of 94.

The province targeted nine construction occupations, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, industrial mechanics and heating and air conditioning mechanics.

To qualify for targeted invitations, construction workers needed a valid SkilledTradesBC trade certificate or a registered apprenticeship related to their job offer.

Health care followed with 82 invitations across 31 occupations. The minimum required score was 76.

Eligible occupations included registered nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory professionals and other health care workers.

Child Care and Veterinary Workers Also Selected

British Columbia invited 86 early childhood educators under its child care category. Candidates needed a minimum score of 99, the highest threshold among the four categories.

Eligible educators required a valid one-year or five-year Early Childhood Educator Certificate issued by the provincial ECE Registry.

Veterinary care received fewer than five invitations, with a minimum score of 86.

This category covered veterinarians, animal health technologists and veterinary technicians. Certain technical professionals needed a valid professional designation to qualify.

Health care invitations for nurse aides also required eligible candidates to register with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.

What Happens After Receiving an Invitation?

Invited candidates have 30 days to submit their provincial nomination applications.

Those who receive approval can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.

Some applicants already living in Canada may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit while awaiting their permanent residence decision.

A temporary measure introduced on June 9, 2026, allows eligible base PNP nominees to apply earlier without first receiving an acknowledgement of receipt for their permanent residence application.

BC Immigration Draws Continue in 2026

The October 8 selection marked British Columbia's seventh occupation-specific draw of 2026.

The province has focused its targeted selections on the Care, Build and Innovate priorities.

By October 8, British Columbia had issued at least 6,301 Skills Immigration invitations and 120 Entrepreneur Immigration invitations.

The province had conducted 26 selection rounds during 2026, including 16 targeting skilled workers.

Immigration Registration Pool Remains Competitive

As of October 6, the Skills Immigration registration pool contained 7,695 profiles.

The largest group included 1,444 candidates scoring between 90 and 99 points, followed by 1,426 candidates scoring between 100 and 109.

Candidates must register an Expression of Interest profile before receiving consideration for selection.

British Columbia ranks registrations using profile information and invites candidates who meet the requirements of individual draws.