British Columbia has made a significant shift in its immigration priorities for 2025, focusing the majority of its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) spots on healthcare professionals.

Announced on April 14, the BC PNP will be capped at 1,100 new applications for the year — a stark reduction compared to previous years. Most of these limited nominations are now reserved for workers in select healthcare occupations.

Who Qualifies Under the Health Authority Stream?

Starting mid-April, only individuals directly involved in delivering healthcare services are eligible under the Health Authority stream of the BC PNP. This is a change from earlier criteria, which allowed administrative and support staff employed by B.C.’s public health authorities to apply.

Now, eligible applicants must work in specific healthcare roles such as:

• Registered nurses & nurse practitioners

• Medical technologists & diagnostic professionals

• Dental assistants, hygienists, and dentists

• Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and massage therapists

• Social workers & community service workers

• Veterinarians & veterinary technicians

(Full NOC list available upon request or via B.C. government portals.)

Approved Employers for Health Authority Stream

To qualify under this stream, candidates must be employed by one of the following public health authorities in B.C.:

• Provincial Health Services Authority

• First Nations Health Authority

• Fraser Health

• Interior Health

• Island Health

• Northern Health

• Vancouver Coastal Health

• Providence Health Care

Each health authority operates its own internal process for supporting PNP applications, and they must actively endorse the candidate for submission.

What About Self-Employed Healthcare Professionals?

Not all eligible professionals are traditional employees. If you’re a physician, midwife, or nurse practitioner operating independently but supported by a B.C. public health authority or midwifery practice, you may still qualify.

However, you’ll need to provide:

• Proof of active practice or confirmed job start in B.C.

• A recommendation letter from the supporting authority

• Details on your work location and job duties

Limited PR Spots for Other Candidates

Though healthcare is the top priority, B.C. has carved out some space for entrepreneurs and high economic impact applicants.

While the exact criteria for “high economic impact” remains vague, likely qualifiers include:

• High salary earners

• Professionals in in-demand fields

• Individuals with strong Canadian work history

• Candidates contributing significantly to the local economy

Only about 100 spots will be available for these applicants in 2025.

Why Is B.C. Tightening Its PNP Nominations?

B.C.’s federal nomination quota has been cut by 50% for 2025, with only 4,000 spots allocated. Compounding the issue, the province entered 2025 with a backlog of over 5,000 applications, already exceeding the annual limit.

To better manage the load, B.C. has:

• Suspended some PNP streams

• Focused on clearing the existing backlog

• Limited new applications to 1,100 this year

These changes reflect a strategic shift towards filling essential roles in healthcare while maintaining a fair and manageable immigration system.