British Columbia reserves PR spaces for healthcare workers. The province introduced major updates to the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), which include limiting the number of new applications it will accept in 2025 to only 1,100.

Most of these limited nomination spaces have been earmarked for healthcare professionals. A smaller fraction will be offered to entrepreneurs and other candidates considered to have a high economic impact on the province.

Additionally, BC has introduced stricter eligibility criteria for candidates under the Health Authority stream of the BC PNP.

Which Healthcare Workers Qualify Under The BC PNP? 

Starting April 14, only those in professions that directly contribute to healthcare services are eligible to apply under the Health Authority stream.

Previously, any individual with a full-time job offer from a BC public health authority, including support staff or administrative roles, could qualify. However, this is no longer the case.

The updated list of eligible occupations includes the following:

Candidates must hold a full-time, indeterminate job offer from a recognized BC health authority to be eligible.

Recognized Employers Under The Health Authority Stream 

British Columbia reserves PR spaces for healthcare workers. Candidates must have a job offer from one of the province’s recognized public health authorities, which include:

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

Each health authority has its own internal procedures to support and submit applications for the BC PNP.

Can Independent Healthcare Professionals Still Apply? 

Physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives who are not directly employed by a health authority may still be eligible if supported by a BC public health authority or midwife practice.

These candidates must submit a recommendation letter and supporting documentation that confirms:

• Their qualifications
• Their work location
• Endorsement from the authority or practice
• Proof they are actively working in their field within British Columbia

Other PR Pathways Available Through BC PNP In 2025 

As British Columbia reserves PR spaces for healthcare workers, the province will also nominate a limited number of candidates from other groups.

These include entrepreneurs and individuals deemed to have a “high economic impact” on the province. BC has not released specific details on what defines a high economic impact, but potential criteria could include:

• High salary brackets
• Advanced qualifications
• In-demand occupations
• Significant economic contribution

The BC PNP will nominate about 100 candidates from the general registration pool who meet these high-impact criteria during 2025.

Why Did BC PNP Cut Back On Nominations? 

British Columbia reserves PR spaces for healthcare workers, but this move comes in response to significant reductions in the province’s overall nomination capacity.

In early 2025, BC learned that its federal nomination allocation had been halved. The province received only 4,000 nomination spots for the entire year, down from 8,000 in 2024.

At the same time, the BC PNP entered 2025 with an existing backlog of 5,200 applications—already surpassing the year’s entire quota. To address this, the province has:

• Paused the intake for certain immigration streams
• Focused on clearing the existing application backlog
• Limited new intake to just 1,100 applications for 2025

This major shift in policy is meant to ensure that limited nomination spaces go to candidates who address critical labor needs, particularly in BC’s healthcare sector.

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].