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 covers separate streams that cater to worker across diverse sectors. In addition to its standalone streams, each with specific eligibility criteria, BC PNP also lists several priorities 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.


Priority Occupations and Targeted Invitations

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. While the general streams welcome professionals from various fields, the BC PNP focuses its priorities for invitations on three core objectives: care, build and innovate. Beyond the broad classifications of the BC PNP streams, targeted invitations are extended to individuals with job offers in priority occupations in key sectors of the care economy as well as certified trade workers. In addition to targeting specific occupations, the Innovate objective identfies candidates with a high economic impact. For individuals under the above-noted streams, targeted invitations offer a focused avenue to contribute significantly to British Columbia's workforce.


Care

In the realm of care, the BC PNP extends opportunities to a diverse range of professionals in healthcare, education, childcare, and veterinary care. Healthcare workers with a job offer from a BC Health Authority may be eligible for the Health Authority stream. The priority occupations in Care 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 31103 - Veterinarians*
  • 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 32104 - Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians*
  • 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 32200 - Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • NOC 33101 - Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • NOC 33102 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry)
  • NOC 41220 - Secondary school teachers (French-speaking only)*
  • NOC 41221 - Elementary/Kindergarten teachers (French-speaking only)*
  • NOC 41300 - Social workers
  • NOC 42202 - Early childhood educators (with one-year or five-year ECE certificate issued by the ECE Registry)*
*Not eligible for the Health Authority stream

Build

The construction sector is instrumental in shaping British Columbia's physical landscape. Skilled workers holding a valid trade certificate (Red Seal) or in a trade apprenticeship registered with SkilledTradesBC may be eligible for these targeted invitations. The priority occupations (NOC codes) in Build include:

  • 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 72310 - Carpenters
  • NOC 72400 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • NOC 72401 - Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • NOC 72402 - Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

Innovate

Highly skilled workers in a range of sectors may be invitated to apply under targeted Innovate draws which go beyond priority occupations. This covers candidates earning high wages in skilled positions within TEER categories 0 through 3 as well as those with high scores under the BC PNP's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).


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 invited to apply via the BC PNP's Innovate initiative in any other occupation.


In conclusion, British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program provides a diverse range of opportunities for 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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