BC PNP 2026: Latest Draws, Stream Changes and Who Is Being Invited

The BC PNP 2026 is a very different program from the one many Surrey and Lower Mainland families knew two years ago. The tech draws are gone, the student streams are closed, and on April 23, 2026 the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) announced new priorities built around three words: Care, Build and Innovate. If you work in healthcare, childcare, construction or a high-wage job in BC, your chances may be better than you think. If you were counting on a graduate stream, you need a new plan.

This guide covers what changed, which streams are open, the latest draw scores, and the fees, as of October 2026. Every figure comes from WelcomeBC, the official BC PNP website.

What changed in the BC PNP in 2026?

Short answer: since April 23, 2026, the BC PNP invites candidates mainly in three groups. Care covers 36 in-demand occupations in healthcare, education, childcare and veterinary care. Build covers certified workers in 9 key skilled trades. Innovate means High Economic Impact draws for high-wage talent in any sector. At least 35% of nominations are expected to go to candidates working outside Metro Vancouver.

Other 2026 changes that matter:

• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) is officially closed. Its last invitations were issued on December 10, 2024.
• No new student streams. The BC PNP confirmed on April 23, 2026 that it will not launch new student streams to replace the closed International Graduate and International Post-Graduate streams.
• Study-permit work no longer counts. Under the Skills Immigration Program Guide effective June 10, 2026, work experience gained while on a study permit is not accepted for criteria or points, except qualifying paid co-op terms.
• Some occupations and employers are now ineligible. The guide lists ineligible occupations and has added organizations that provide immigration services to the list of ineligible employers.
• A one-time rural health initiative. Up to 250 health authority employees in cleaning or security roles (NOC 64410, 65310 and 65312) in rural or remote areas can be nominated. Registration was extended to 11:59 pm on October 7, 2026.

BC PNP 2026 nomination allocation

Short answer: BC has 6,254 nominations for 2026. It started the year with 5,254 (it had asked Ottawa for 9,000), and received 1,000 more on August 18, 2026.

Fewer nominations means higher competition. According to the BC PNP Statistical Report 2025, almost 90% of 2025 nominees were already living and working in British Columbia, and India was the top source country for Skills Immigration nominees in 2023, 2024 and 2025. For the national picture, see our overview of the Provincial Nominee Program across Canada.

Which BC PNP streams are open in 2026?

Short answer: the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams are open, both with an Express Entry BC option. The Entrepreneur Immigration Base, Regional and Strategic Projects streams are also open. ELSS, International Graduate, International Post-Graduate and the tech pilot have all ended.

If you are an Express Entry candidate, a nomination through the Express Entry BC option adds 600 CRS points. Our Express Entry draws 2026 report shows what that means against recent federal PNP rounds.

Latest BC PNP draws and minimum scores

Short answer: the BC PNP now alternates targeted Care and Build draws with High Economic Impact draws, roughly every two weeks. Minimum scores in targeted draws fell steadily from May to September 2026, for example from 108 to 76 for healthcare.

Selected Skills Immigration draws from the official BC PNP invitations page. Childcare draws are limited to early childhood educators (NOC 42202) with a one-year or five-year ECE certificate. Construction draws need a SkilledTradesBC certificate or registered apprenticeship. As of September 1, 2026, there were 8,013 registrations in the pool.

Entrepreneur Immigration Base draws closed between 115 and 119 points from April to September 2026, with about 8 to 15 invitations each time.

BC PNP fees, income rules and processing times

Short answer: registration is free, the Skills Immigration application fee is $1,750 (since January 22, 2026), and about 80% of applications are decided within 3 months.

Your family income must also meet a minimum based on family size and where you live. The guide effective June 10, 2026 sets, for example:

After nomination, you still apply to IRCC for permanent residence and pay federal fees separately.

How to plan your BC PNP application in 2026

Short answer: check whether your job is on a priority list, make sure your work experience counts under the new rules, and register with a clean, well-documented profile. Do not rely on a stream that has closed.

1. Match your NOC code to Care or Build.Health, ECE, French-speaking K-12 teaching, veterinary and the 9 construction trades get their own draws. Health care aides (NOC 33102) must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
2. Recount your experience. Experience earned while you were a student usually no longer counts. Many former students in Surrey are affected by this. If you are still studying, read our PGWP field-of-study guide so your work permit lasts long enough.
3. Think about working outside Metro Vancouver. At least 35% of nominations are expected to go to candidates working elsewhere in BC.
4. Check your employer. Employers and occupations on the ineligible list cannot support an application.
5. Keep a federal backup. Stay in the Express Entry pool if you qualify, and compare other provinces in our Provincial Nominee Program guide.

Not sure where you stand? Our free immigration eligibility check takes a few minutes. For a full review, our PR application service includes PNP application support, an eligibility assessment and document checks at a fixed fee. Our team is based in Surrey and works in English, Gujarati and Hindi. Read more about working with immigration consultants in Surrey.

This article is general information, not legal advice. BC PNP priorities, scores and fees change often, and no consultant can guarantee an invitation or nomination. Always confirm the current rules on WelcomeBC before you register.

Want a clear BC PNP plan? Book a free consultation with a licensed RCIC in Surrey. Expert guidance at a fixed, affordable fee.