A Guide to BC PNP Priority Occupations and Streams

British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) offers various pathways for immigrants aspiring to make the stunning province their permanent home. Tailored to address specific labour market needs, the BC PNP offers various streams that cater to worker across diverse sectors. In addition to its standalone streams, each with specific eligibility criteria, BC PNP also lists several priority occupations crucial to the economic and social fabric of British Columbia.


Skills Immigration Streams

1. Skilled Worker

For skilled professionals with experience and expertise, the Skilled Worker stream provides a pathway to permanent residence. This stream is designed for individuals with skills and qualifications that meet the province's economic needs. As an added perk, the Skilled Worker stream offers the Express Entry BC (EEBC) option, allowing for shorter processing times.


2. Health Authority

The Health Authority stream welcomes workers directly employed by a provincial health authority, as well as practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, and midwives. This pathway streamlines the application process for those crucial to the healthcare sector. Eligible candidates can skip the registration and invitation process of the BC PNP and jump right to submitting their application. The Health Authority stream can also be combined with the federal Express Entry system.


3. Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS)

Tailored for individuals in specific occupations in select occupations in the tourism/hospitality or food processing sectors. This includes hotel front desk clerks, tour and recreational guides, food and beverage service, cleaners, as well as food and beverage processing. The ELSS stream is an entry point for those starting their careers in these sectors, and does not have the Express Entry BC option.


4. International Graduate

Graduates from eligible Canadian institutions can find a welcoming path through the International Graduate stream. This stream is designed to retain talented individuals who have studied in British Columbia, and accepted an eligible job offer. As a stream for skilled professionals, it can be linked with Express Entry.


5. International Post-Graduate

Similar to the International Graduate stream, the International Post-Graduate stream targets individuals who have completed a master's or doctorate degree at an eligible British Columbia institution. This pathway encourages the retention of high-caliber talent in the province, even without a job offer. Like the Health Authority stream, this is a direct application pathway that allows eligible candidates to skip the invitation process.


Priority Occupations and Targeted Invitations

While the general streams welcome professionals from various fields, the BC PNP also offers targeted invitations within these streams, aligning with the province's strategic initiatives. Beyond the broad classifications of the BC PNP streams, targeted invitations are extended to individuals with job offers in priority occupations. For individuals under the above-noted streams, targeted invitations offer a focused avenue to contribute significantly to British Columbia's workforce. Once a registration is submitted, candidates may be selected based on their alignment with priority occupations, emphasizing the province's commitment to addressing specific labour market needs. These targeted occupations span key sectors such as childcare, construction, healthcare, technology, and veterinary care. 


Childcare: Nurturing the Future

The BC PNP places special emphasis on NOC 42202 - Early Childhood Educators and Assistants. Job offers in this occupation may result in targeted invitations, recognizing the crucial role of nurturing the growth and development of the province's youngest citizens.


Construction: Building BC's Tomorrow

The construction sector is instrumental in shaping British Columbia's physical landscape. Skilled workers holding a valid trade certificate issued by SkilledTradesBC may be eligible for targeted invitations. The priority occupations (NOC codes) in construction  include:

  • NOC 22114 - Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists 
  • NOC 72102 - Sheet metal workers
  • NOC 72103 - Boilermakers
  • NOC 72104 - Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  • NOC 72105 - Ironworkers
  • NOC 72106 - Welders and related machine operators
  • NOC 72200 - Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • NOC 72201 - Industrial electricians
  • NOC 72300 - Plumbers
  • NOC 72301 - Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  • NOC 72302 - Gas fitters
  • NOC 72310 - Carpenters
  • NOC 72311 - Cabinetmakers
  • NOC 72320 - Bricklayers
  • NOC 72400 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • NOC 72401 - Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • NOC 72402 - Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • NOC 72500 - Crane operators
  • NOC 73100 - Concrete finishers
  • NOC 73101 - Tilesetters
  • NOC 73102 - Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • NOC 73110 - Roofers and shinglers
  • NOC 73111 - Glaziers
  • NOC 73112 - Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • NOC 73113 - Floor covering installers


Healthcare: Supporting Well-being

In the realm of healthcare, the BC PNP extends opportunities to a diverse range of professionals. Whether you're a dentist, nurse, social worker, or medical lab technologist, targeted invitations may be in your future. The priority occupations in healthcare encompass:

  • NOC 30010 - Managers in health care
  • NOC 31100 - Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • NOC 31101 - Specialists in surgery
  • NOC 31102 - General practitioners and family physicians
  • NOC 31110 - Dentists
  • NOC 31112 - Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • NOC 31120 - Pharmacists
  • NOC 31121 - Dietitians and nutritionists
  • NOC 31200 - Psychologists
  • NOC 31201 - Chiropractors
  • NOC 31202 - Physiotherapists
  • NOC 31203 - Occupational therapists
  • NOC 31204 - Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • NOC 31209 - Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
  • NOC 31300 - Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • NOC 31301 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • NOC 31302 - Nurse practitioners
  • NOC 31303 - Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
  • NOC 32101 - Licensed practical nurses
  • NOC 32102 - Paramedical occupations
  • NOC 32103 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • NOC 32109 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • NOC 32110 - Denturists
  • NOC 32111 - Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • NOC 32112 - Dental technologists and technicians
  • NOC 32120 - Medical laboratory technologists
  • NOC 32121 - Medical radiation technologists
  • NOC 32122 - Medical sonographers
  • NOC 32123 - Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • NOC 32124 - Pharmacy technicians
  • NOC 32129 - Other medical technologists and technicians
  • NOC 32200 - Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • NOC 33100 - Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • NOC 33101 - Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • NOC 33102 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • NOC 33103 - Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • NOC 41300 - Social workers
  • NOC 41301 - Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
  • NOC 42201 - Social and community service workers


Technology: Innovate and Immigrate

The technology sector, a dynamic force in BC's economy, provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers in select occupations. The priority occupations under the so-called BC Tech include:

  • NOC 10030 - Telecommunication carriers managers
  • NOC 20012 - Computer and information systems managers
  • NOC 21100 - Physicists and astronomers
  • NOC 21210 - Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
  • NOC 21211 - Data scientists
  • NOC 21220 - Cybersecurity specialists
  • NOC 21221 - Business systems specialists
  • NOC 21222 - Information systems specialists
  • NOC 21223 - Database analysts and data administrators
  • NOC 21230 - Computer systems developers and programmers
  • NOC 21231 - Software engineers and designers
  • NOC 21232 - Software developers and programmers
  • NOC 21233 - Web designers
  • NOC 21234 - Web developers and programmers
  • NOC 21300 - Civil engineers
  • NOC 21301 - Mechanical engineers
  • NOC 21310 - Electrical and electronics engineers
  • NOC 21311 - Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  • NOC 21320 - Chemical engineers
  • NOC 21399 - Other professional engineers
  • NOC 22110 - Biological technologists and technicians
  • NOC 22220 - Computer network and web technicians
  • NOC 22221 - User support technicians
  • NOC 22222 - Information systems testing technicians
  • NOC 22310 - Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • NOC 22312 - Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • NOC 50011 - Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
  • NOC 51111 - Authors and writers (except technical)
  • NOC 51112 - Technical writers
  • NOC 51120 - Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  • NOC 52119 - Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  • NOC 52112 - Broadcast technicians
  • NOC 52113 - Audio and video recording technicians
  • NOC 52120 - Graphic designers and illustrators
  • NOC 53111 - Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

Veterinary Care: Caring for Our Furry Friends

Animal lovers with a passion for veterinary care are also provided opportunities through the BC PNP. The priority occupations in veterinary care include:

  • NOC 31103 - Veterinarians
  • NOC 32104 - Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians


Beyond Priority Occupations

ELSS Stream

While the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream opens doors for workers in select occupations only, it is important to note that these are not priority occupations. Rather, the list of ELSS occupations defines the eligibility criteria for this stream. 


Navigating the BC PNP Landscape

Eligibility extends beyond the lists of priority occupations. Identified by specific NOC codes, priority occupations may receive targeted invitations once a registration is submitted, underscoring the program's commitment to addressing specific labor market needs. However, you may still be eligible to apply via the BC PNP's regular application streams as listed above.


In conclusion, British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program provides a diverse range of opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers across various sectors. The program's priorities align with strategic initiatives aimed at welcoming new talent to foster economic growth and community well-being in this picturesque province. Contact us today to find your pathway to BC!

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