343 Invitations Issued Across Four Priority Occupation Categories
British Columbia Invites 343 Skilled Workers in New PNP Draw Focused on Healthcare, Childcare, and Construction
British Columbia has continued its targeted immigration strategy by inviting hundreds of skilled foreign workers through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The latest selection round, held on July 9, 2026, focused on occupations facing ongoing labour shortages, particularly in healthcare, childcare, veterinary services, and construction.
The draw reflects the province’s commitment to attracting professionals who can support essential public services and infrastructure projects while strengthening British Columbia’s workforce.
343 Invitations Issued Across Four Priority Occupation Categories
In the latest Skills Immigration (SI) draw, British Columbia issued 343 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates registered in the provincial nomination system. The invitations were distributed across four targeted occupation groups under the province’s workforce priorities.
| Priority Area | Occupation Category | Occupations Targeted | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care | Childcare | 1 | 91 | 108 |
| Care | Healthcare | 31 | 116 | 96 |
| Care | Veterinary Care | 2 | Fewer than 5 | 88 |
| Build | Construction Trades | 9 | 136 | 97 |
Construction occupations received the highest number of invitations, highlighting the province’s ongoing demand for skilled trades professionals.
Construction Workers Received the Largest Share of Invitations
- Welders
- Electricians
- Industrial electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- Construction millwrights
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
To qualify under this category, candidates needed either
- A valid Skilled Trades BC trade certification,
- Active registration in a SkilledTradesBC apprenticeship program that matched their job offer.
Healthcare Professionals Remain a Major Priority
Healthcare was another major focus of the July 9 draw, with invitations extended across a wide range of medical occupations.
Eligible professionals included:
- Registered nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists
- Dietitians
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Medical radiation technologists
- Respiratory therapists
- Licensed practical nurses
- Social workers
- Several additional regulated healthcare occupations
Candidates working as nurse aides and related support workers were eligible only if they were registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
Childcare Occupation Limited to Early Childhood Educators
Applicants needed to possess either:
- A one-year Early Childhood Educator Certificate
- A five-year ECE Certificate issued through the provincial ECE Registry.
A total of 91 invitations were issued in this category.
BC Continues Occupation-Based Immigration Strategy
It also marked the province’s third occupation-specific Skills Immigration draw in 2026. Previous invitation rounds have considered factors such as:
- Registration score
- Wage offered
- Job offer skill level (TEER)
- Labour market priorities
British Columbia has indicated that future invitation rounds may continue to evolve depending on changing workforce needs.
Over 3,100 Invitations Issued Through Skills Immigration in 2026
One of the Largest Draws Conducted This Year
The May 14 draw became the third-largest Skills Immigration invitation round conducted by British Columbia in 2026.
Earlier large-scale draws included:
| Draw Date | Invitations Issued | Main Selection Focus |
|---|---|---|
| April 22, 2026 | 484 | Wage/Salary + TEER 0–3 job offer |
| February 11, 2026 | 460 | Wage/Salary + TEER 0–3 job offer |
| May 14, 2026 | 437 | Wage/Salary and registration score |
| February 4, 2026 | 429 | Wage/Salary + TEER 0–3 job offer |
| May 6, 2026 | 333 | Occupation-targeted selection |
| June 2, 2026 | 357 | Occupation-targeted selection |
The June 2 draw differed from the others because it specifically invited workers in priority occupations connected to healthcare, veterinary services, education, and construction trades.
Current BCPNP Registration Pool Snapshot
| Score Range | Registrations |
|---|---|
| 0–59 | 209 |
| 60–69 | 381 |
| 70–79 | 729 |
| 80–89 | 1,227 |
| 90–99 | 1,496 |
| 100–109 | 1,728 |
| 110–119 | 1,369 |
| 120–129 | 1,058 |
| 130–139 | 440 |
| 140–149 | 34 |
| 150+ | 12 |
Since 343 invitations were issued on July 9, the total number of candidates in the pool is expected to have decreased, although new registrations and profile expirations may have changed the overall figures.
Entrepreneur Immigration invitations 2026
BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration invitations issued to date:
| Date | Stream | Minimum Score | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2026 | Base | 118 | 14 |
| Regional | 113 | <5 | |
| June 2, 2026 | Base | 117 | 15 |
| Regional | 117 | <5 | |
| May 5, 2026 | Base | 115 | 8 |
| Regional | 115 | <5 | |
| April 14, 2026 | Base Stream | 115 | 14 |
| March 10, 2026 | Base Stream | 117 | 7 |
| March 10, 2026 | Regional Stream | 129 | Fewer than 5 |
| February 10, 2026 | Base | 121 | 13 |
| Regional | 105 | Fewer than 5 | |
| January 13, 2026 | Base | 115 | 7 |
If your EOI is selected, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for nomination from British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
What This Means for Skilled Workers
The latest BCPNP draw demonstrates that British Columbia remains focused on recruiting professionals in occupations experiencing persistent labour shortages. Workers in healthcare, childcare, veterinary services, and skilled trades continue to benefit from occupation-targeted invitation rounds, making these fields among the strongest pathways toward provincial nomination and Canadian permanent residence.
As labour market demands continue to evolve, prospective immigrants with qualifications in priority occupations should ensure their profiles remain up to date to improve their chances of receiving an invitation in upcoming BCPNP draws.
Source: welcomebc.ca
