British Columbia has held another targeted provincial immigration draw, inviting workers in healthcare, construction, childcare, and veterinary care. The latest round shows the province’s continued focus on labour shortages in essential sectors and gives eligible foreign workers a possible path to provincial nomination, a work permit, and eventually permanent residence in Canada.
British Columbia targets key workers in a new provincial draw
British Columbia has invited 429 candidates through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) in a new occupation-focused selection round held on September 10. The invitations went to workers in four priority areas: healthcare, construction trades, early childhood education, and veterinary care.
This draw is another sign that the province is using targeted immigration to respond to real labour market needs. Rather than issuing invitations broadly across all occupations, British Columbia is continuing to concentrate on sectors where employers are struggling to find qualified staff.
For many foreign nationals, a provincial nomination can become an important step in the wider immigration to Canada process. Provincial programmes often help workers who may not yet be competitive enough under federal selection alone, especially if they already have a job offer in a high-demand field.
The latest invitations were divided as follows:
| Category | Invitations issued | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | 143 | 76 |
| Construction trades | 104 | 94 |
| Childcare | 182 | 99 |
| Veterinary care | Fewer than 5 | 90 |
The draw was built around two of British Columbia’s current policy priorities: care and build. In practical terms, that means the province is trying to strengthen public services and support housing and infrastructure growth at the same time.
If you are considering a provincial route, it can help to explore Provincial Nominee Program options in Canada early, since each province uses different rules, occupations, and scoring systems.
Which occupations were included in this BCPNP selection?
Healthcare occupations
Healthcare was one of the largest targeted groups in this round. British Columbia selected candidates across 31 healthcare occupations, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, medical technologists, licensed practical nurses, and several diagnostic and therapy-related professions.
Some of the occupations named by the province included:
- General practitioners and family physicians
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Licensed practical nurses
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Social workers
There was also a special note for candidates with job offers under NOC 33102, which covers nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates. To qualify under the targeted healthcare draw, these candidates had to be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
Construction trades
Construction workers were also a major focus. The province targeted nine trades occupations, including carpenters, plumbers, welders, electricians, industrial electricians, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and heating or refrigeration mechanics.
To be considered under this stream, candidates needed more than just a job offer. They also had to hold either a valid trade certificate from SkilledTradesBC or an apprenticeship registration with SkilledTradesBC that matched the position being offered.
This requirement matters because trade certification is often central to working legally and competitively in regulated or structured trades in Canada. Workers planning a long-term move may also want to review information on trade certification and skilled trades pathways in Canada.
Childcare and veterinary care
Childcare remained the biggest category by invitation numbers. British Columbia issued 182 invitations to early childhood educators under NOC 42202. To qualify, candidates needed a one-year or five-year Early Childhood Educator certificate from the provincial ECE Registry.
The province also included veterinary care occupations, though in a much smaller number. These occupations were veterinarians and animal health technologists or veterinary technicians.
These targeted draws show how detailed provincial selections can be. Eligibility is often tied not only to occupation, but also to licensing, certification, or registration with a provincial body.
What happens after a BCPNP invitation?
From invitation to nomination
Candidates invited in the September 10 draw have 30 days to submit a complete application for provincial nomination. Receiving an invitation is not the same as being approved. Applicants still need to prove they meet programme requirements, including job offer details, work experience, and any occupation-specific licensing conditions.
If British Columbia approves the application, the candidate becomes a provincial nominee. That nomination can support a future application for permanent residence in Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Work permit support while waiting
A nomination can also help workers stay employed in Canada while their permanent residence case moves forward. In some situations, nominees may receive provincial support for a work permit. In addition, applicants who have filed a permanent residence application may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit.
A recent federal temporary measure has made this easier for some base PNP applicants. Since June 9, 2026, certain nominees under base provincial streams have been able to apply for a bridging open work permit earlier than before, without waiting for an acknowledgement of receipt for the permanent residence file.
This can be especially helpful for workers whose status is time-sensitive. Those trying to understand temporary status options can also review Canadian work permit pathways and how they connect to permanent immigration plans.
How this differs from Express Entry
Not every provincial nomination works the same way. Some are linked to the federal Express Entry system, while others are base nominations processed outside of Express Entry. Enhanced nominations through Express Entry can give a candidate a major ranking boost, while base nominations usually follow a separate permanent residence process after provincial approval.
For workers comparing options, it is often useful to understand both provincial and federal routes. You may wish to review recent Express Entry draw updates as well as provincial selections to see where your profile may be strongest.
Why this draw matters for people planning immigration to Canada
BC is signalling where demand is strongest
British Columbia’s latest round was its sixth occupation-specific draw of 2026. By September 10, the province had already issued at least 5,267 invitations under Skills Immigration, plus more than 100 through entrepreneur streams. That volume shows that BC remains one of the most active provinces for skilled worker immigration.
The province also reported that, as of September 1, there were 8,013 registrations in the Skills Immigration pool. Most candidates were clustered in the middle score bands, especially between 80 and 129 points. This means competition remains real, and the strongest profiles are often those that match current provincial priorities.
Strong preparation can make a difference
For candidates in healthcare, trades, or childcare, preparation is critical. A strong file may depend on having the right NOC code, a valid job offer, proper licensing, and complete supporting documents. Language test results such as IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF may also be relevant depending on the pathway. In some cases, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) can strengthen a broader immigration strategy, especially if you are also considering federal programmes.
Applicants who do not qualify for BC right away may still have other choices. Depending on background and destination, possible alternatives can include federal skilled worker programmes, other provincial streams, family sponsorship, or regional options such as the Atlantic Immigration Program. If you want to compare routes, you can explore your Canadian immigration options or use a CRS score calculator for Canada to understand where you stand under Express Entry.
Because provincial rules can shift quickly, many applicants benefit from a professional review before they submit anything. A careful strategy can help identify whether BC is the right fit now, or whether another pathway may be more practical.
Immigration rules, scores, and programme requirements can change often, so readers should always confirm current details with IRCC or the relevant province, or speak with a licensed immigration consultant before making decisions. EverNorth Immigration is here to help with experienced, compassionate guidance at every stage of your move to Canada, whether you are just starting or ready to apply. If you would like tailored support, you can book your free immigration assessment and get a professional evaluation of your options.
