- British Columbia added 1,000 spaces to the BC PNP, raising its 2026 allocation to 6,254.
- The August 6 draw issued 183 child-care invitations and 124 health invitations, the year’s largest sector round.
- By August 25, the province had already sent 925 combined invitations in health and child care.
British Columbia added 1,000 spaces to the BC PNP this year, lifting its 2026 allocation to 6,254 and directing targeted invitations toward early childhood educators and health workers. The August 6 draw sent 183 child-care invitations at a minimum score of 102 and 124 health invitations at 84. The child-care cut-off sat higher.
The August 6 sector-targeted round was the largest of the year and sent at least 500 invitations across five priority categories. Care, education, veterinary care and construction were all in play. The draw widened the focus.
The province plans to issue between 1,620 and 2,015 nominations to in-demand health workers by year-end, and 360 to 440 to child-care workers. By August 25, it had already invited 474 health candidates and 451 child-care candidates, or 925 in total. Last year, the province nominated 1,435 health candidates and 409 child-care candidates, for 1,844 combined nominations.
The program shifted to 'Care, Build, Innovate' in April 2026. Care now covers health care, child care, education and veterinary care. The health list runs from general practitioners and family physicians to dentists, pharmacists and physiotherapists. It also includes occupational therapists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates.
One health stream has its own gate. NOC 33102 candidates must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker registry before nomination. That keeps the pool narrow.
Child-care rules are equally tight. Candidates need an ECE registry certificate that lasts one year or five years. Only that occupation was targeted.
The split is clear.
| Measure | Health track | Child-care track |
|---|---|---|
| Year-end target | 1,620 to 2,015 | 360 to 440 |
| Aug. 6 invitations | 124 | 183 |
| Minimum registration score | 84 | 102 |
| Invitations by August 25 | 474 | 451 |
Registrations already in the pool got the invitations
- Invitations went only to registrations already in the pool before the draw date.
- Selected candidates had to file a complete application through
BC PNP Onlineby the deadline stated in their invitation.
The 2025 comparison shows the scale of the shift. Last year, the province moved 1,844 combined nominations through the two tracks. Both 2026 targets sit above those marks.
The province said it intends to use its full 2026 allocation by the end of the year. The runway is short.
