British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is adapting to a significant reduction in its 2025 federal nomination allocation. With only 4,000 nominations available, the province will prioritize healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers in high-demand positions, allocating approximately 1,100 nominations to new applicants in these fields. The remaining 2,900 nominations will be used for existing applications. Several program adjustments are being implemented, including waitlisting International Post-Graduate (IPG) applications submitted between September 1, 2024, and January 7, 2025, until more nominations are available. General and targeted Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence will be very limited in 2025, focusing on around 100 high-impact candidates from a pool of over 10,000. Invitations under the Entrepreneur Immigration stream, however, are expected to continue. Eligibility for the Health Authority stream will be restricted to positions directly involved in healthcare delivery, Early Childhood Educator Assistants will no longer be targeted, and guidelines for social and community service workers are being updated. The launch of three new student streams is also on hold until nomination levels increase.
My insight: It’s a trend we’re seeing across the country. Many provinces are tightening their PR applicant criteria and focusing on specific sectors facing labor shortages.