BC PNP 2025: Healthcare Workers Get Priority in British Columbia’s Reduced PR Quota
British Columbia has Decided to Accept Only 1,100 New PNP Applications in 2025.
British Columbia is making strategic changes to its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) for 2025, narrowing the scope of eligible candidates to prioritize healthcare professionals.
Provincial Nominee Capacity Slashed in 2025
For 2025, British Columbia received only 4,000 federal nomination spots—a 50% reduction from previous allocations. Adding to the pressure, the province entered the year with a backlog of over 5,200 applications, already exceeding its yearly limit.
To manage this situation, B.C. has decided to accept only 1,100 new PNP applications in 2025. The majority of these are now reserved for healthcare workers, while a smaller share will be distributed among entrepreneurs and high-impact economic contributors.
Health Authority Stream: A More Selective Pathway
As of April 14, 2025, British Columbia has narrowed eligibility under the Health Authority stream. Previously, this stream was open to a broad range of employees within the public health system, including administrative and support staff.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Hold a full-time, permanent (indeterminate) job offer from a recognized B.C. health authority.
- Work in one of the approved healthcare occupations listed below.
Eligible Occupations Under the Health Authority Stream
The following table outlines the healthcare professions and their corresponding NOC codes that are eligible under the updated BC PNP Health Authority stream:
| Occupation | NOC Code |
|---|---|
| Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 |
| Audiologists and speech-language pathologists | 31112 |
| Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 |
| Chiropractors | 31201 |
| Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants | 33100 |
| Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 |
| Dental technologists and technicians | 32112 |
| Dentists | 31110 |
| Denturists | 32110 |
| Dietitians and nutritionists | 31121 |
| General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 |
| Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment | 31204 |
| Licensed practical nurses | 32101 |
| Managers in health care | 30010 |
| Massage therapists | 32201 |
| Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 |
| Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 |
| Medical radiation technologists | 32121 |
| Medical sonographers | 32122 |
| Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 |
| Nurse practitioners | 31302 |
| Nursing coordinators and supervisors | 31300 |
| Occupational therapists | 31203 |
| Opticians | 32100 |
| Optometrists | 31111 |
| Other assisting occupations in support of health services | 33109 |
| Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 |
| Other practitioners of natural healing | 32209 |
| Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 |
| Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment | 32109 |
| Paramedical occupations | 32102 |
| Pharmacists | 31120 |
| Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 32124 |
| Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals | 31303 |
| Physiotherapists | 31202 |
| Psychologists | 31200 |
| Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 |
| Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 |
| Social and community service workers | 42201 |
| Social workers | 41300 |
| Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 |
| Specialists in surgery | 31101 |
| Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies | 41301 |
| Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists | 32200 |
| Veterinarians | 31103 |
Approved Employers for the Health Authority Stream
Candidates applying under this stream must be employed by one of the following provincially designated health authorities:
- Fraser Health
- Interior Health
- Island Health
- Northern Health
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Provincial Health Services Authority
- Providence Health Care
- First Nations Health Authority
Each employer has its own internal endorsement process for nominating candidates to the BC PNP. Applicants are expected to work closely with their employer during the application process.
2. Ensure the Program is PGWP-Eligible
Even if the school is a DLI, not all its programs may qualify for PGWP. To ensure eligibility:
- Program Duration: It must be at least 8 months long.
- Program Type: Academic, vocational, or professional training leading to a diploma, degree, or certificate.
- Graduation Level: Only certain degrees from private institutions qualify.
- Language Proficiency: You must meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level in English or French.
- Field of Study (for some levels): Must align with in-demand occupations.
Can Self-Employed Healthcare Professionals Still Apply?
Yes. Physicians, midwives, and nurse practitioners who are not formally employed by a health authority may still be eligible. However, they must demonstrate that they are either currently working in their field or will soon begin working in B.C.
Eligibility requirements include:
- A support letter from a B.C. public health authority or midwife practice group;
- Documentation confirming work readiness, qualifications, and licensing;
- Details on the work location;
- Official confirmation that the practice group supports their application.
These criteria help ensure that self-employed healthcare professionals can still contribute to the provincial healthcare system.
Limited Nominations for Other Candidates
While the bulk of nominations will go to healthcare workers, B.C. has set aside a small number of spaces for other select candidates, such as:
- Entrepreneurs who wish to establish or operate a business in the province;
- High economic impact candidates, a term likely referring to those with exceptional qualifications, salaries, or industry expertise in key sectors.
Conclusion: A Clear Message of Healthcare First
If you’re a healthcare professional looking to live and work in British Columbia, now is the time to assess your eligibility and connect with a designated health employer.
