B.C. Invites 33 Rural Health Workers Through PR Pathway

British Columbia invited 33 health support workers to seek provincial nomination in a September 17, 2026, immigration draw aimed at retaining employees in rural and remote communities.

The invitations went to eligible cleaners and security workers employed by public health authorities. It was the second selection under the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative (TRHSI), a limited pathway that began accepting registrations on June 15.

Higher Score in Second Draw

Candidates needed at least 60 points on September 17, compared with 50 points in the first draw on July 23, when 60 invitations were issued. Together, the two rounds account for 93 invitations.

The province has not identified the specific occupations of those invited or reported how many workers have received nominations through the initiative.

British Columbia plans to nominate up to 250 people through TRHSI. Registrations close at 11:59 p.m. on October 7, 2026. The original August 31 deadline was extended in August to account for wildfire-related disruptions.

A provincial invitation is not permanent residence. Successful applicants must first obtain a nomination, then apply to the federal government for PR.

Eligible applicants already in Canada may also seek a bridging open work permit after submitting their PR application. Under a temporary federal measure effective June 9, some provincial nominees can use alternative proof of submission while awaiting an acknowledgement of receipt.

Who Can Qualify?

TRHSI covers three occupations: janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners (NOC 65312); light-duty cleaners (NOC 65310); and security guards and related security workers (NOC 64410).

Applicants need a regular, ongoing, full-time job offer from a participating B.C. public health authority in an eligible rural or remote area.

They must have worked continuously full time for at least nine months in an eligible role, with the same employer and in the same region, before registering.

Work performed while holding a study permit or through a study program, including co-op placements, does not count toward those nine months. Neither does a leave lasting more than two weeks.

Jobs in the Central Okanagan, Metro Vancouver and Capital regional districts generally fall outside the initiative. Exceptions apply to Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna islands.

Employer Support Is Essential

Eight health authorities can support applications: First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health.

Each authority decides which applications it will back. An authorized representative must support the worker’s B.C. Provincial Nominee Program application.

The job offer must remain valid, and the employee must continue working full time throughout the process.

Workers hired by outside contractors are excluded, even if they clean or guard facilities run by a public health authority.

Candidates also need a high school diploma, proof they met minimum income requirements throughout the required nine-month period, and compliance with the program’s general Skills Immigration rules.

TRHSI falls under B.C.’s “Care” priority, alongside “Build” and “Innovate.”

The province’s total 2026 nomination allocation stands at 6,254 following an additional 1,000 spaces from Ottawa.