Permanent Residency · Provincial Nominee Program
BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
British Columbia nominates skilled workers, health professionals and graduates for permanent residence through the BC PNP. A provincial nomination is the most powerful single factor in Express Entry, worth 600 Comprehensive Ranking System points.
600
CRS points with a nomination
2
Main pathways into the BC PNP
5
Skills Immigration streams
IRCC
Makes the final PR decision
The program
What is the BC Provincial Nominee Program?
The Provincial Nominee Program lets provinces nominate people with the skills their economies need for permanent residence. British Columbia’s version, the BC PNP, is run by the Province through WelcomeBC.
There are two main ways in: Skills Immigration, streams for skilled workers, health professionals, international graduates and entry-level workers, generally with a qualifying BC job offer, and Express Entry BC (EEBC), for candidates who also qualify under a federal Express Entry program.
A nomination doesn’t grant PR by itself. BC nominates; IRCC grants permanent residence after you apply federally. In Express Entry, a nomination adds 600 CRS points, in practice, an invitation to apply. See our permanent residency services and Express Entry & CRS calculator.
Choose your path
The main BC PNP pathways
The right route depends on your occupation, your job offer and whether you also qualify for federal Express Entry.
Broadest route
Skills Immigration
Points-based streams for workers and graduates with a job offer from a BC employer: Skilled Worker, Health Authority, International Graduate, International Post-Graduate, and Entry Level & Semi-Skilled.
- Five streams for different profiles
- No Express Entry profile needed
- Points-based EOI invitations
Express Entry BC (EEBC)
A faster track for candidates who also meet a federal Express Entry program. A nomination through EEBC adds 600 CRS points to your federal profile.
- Requires an Express Entry profile
- 600 CRS points on nomination
- Faster federal processing
Targeted & priority draws
BC invites registrants in periodic draws and regularly targets priority occupations, health care, early childhood education, construction and tech among them.
- Periodic invitation rounds
- Occupation-targeted draws
- Cut-off scores vary by draw
Step by step
How the BC PNP works
01
Confirm your stream
Match your job offer and profile to the right Skills Immigration or EEBC stream.
02
Register an EOI
Submit an Expression of Interest and receive a points score.
03
Get invited
BC invites top-scoring registrants to apply in periodic draws.
04
Apply for nomination
Submit your full application and documents to the Province.
05
Apply to IRCC for PR
Use your nomination, and its 600 CRS points in EEBC, to apply for permanent residence.
Are you eligible?
The essentials, before you register
Each stream has its own criteria, and requirements change between draws. I’ll confirm the current rules for your stream before you register.
- A qualifying full-time job offer from an eligible BC employer (most streams)
- The education, experience and language levels your stream requires
- A wage in line with BC market rates for the occupation
- Admissible to Canada, with status maintained throughout
Why a nomination matters
600 points changes everything
Recent Express Entry draws have required scores most candidates can’t reach on human capital alone. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, in practical terms, an invitation to apply in the next draw.
And if Express Entry isn’t open to you, Skills Immigration stands alone: BC can nominate you directly, and you apply to IRCC for permanent residence outside the Express Entry system.
Work with me
How I help
For candidates
Workers & graduates
- Choosing the right stream and timing your registration
- Building an accurate, competitive EOI profile
- Preparing a complete, well-documented nomination application
- Handling the federal PR stage after nomination
For employers
Supporting a nomination
- Confirming employer eligibility and job-offer requirements
- Drafting compliant offers and support letters
- Responding to Province requests during processing
- Planning retention and PR timelines for key hires
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, by far the largest single factor, and effectively an invitation to apply in the next draw.
Most Skills Immigration and EEBC streams require a qualifying full-time job offer from an eligible BC employer. Graduate streams have their own rules, it depends on the stream.
Skills Immigration is BC’s standalone route, no federal Express Entry profile needed. Express Entry BC requires you to also qualify for a federal Express Entry program, and rewards you with 600 CRS points and faster federal processing.
No. The nomination is provincial; IRCC makes the final decision on your PR application, including medical, security and admissibility checks.
You register an Expression of Interest and receive a score. BC invites the highest-scoring registrants in periodic draws, some targeted at priority occupations. Cut-offs change from draw to draw.
Notes
This information is current as of July 2026 and is provided for general information only. It is not legal advice. Immigration programs, fees and requirements change frequently, and eligibility always depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, please book a consultation.
Ready to pursue a BC nomination?
Stream choice and timing can decide the outcome before you ever apply. Book a consultation and we’ll map your fastest, safest route to permanent residence.