What is the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program – also referred to as the BC PNP – is an immigration program operated by the province of British Columbia in collaboration with the Government of Canada. It allows the province to nominate individuals for Canadian permanent residence based on the province’s economic and labour market needs. Registrations are assessed on factors such as work experience, education, language proficiency, the wage of the B.C. job offer, and where in the province the job is located.

BC PNP registration is divided into two main streams: Skills Immigration (targeting skilled workers, healthcare professionals, and select trades and entry-level occupations) and Entrepreneur Immigration (targeting business owners and entrepreneurs).

Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS)

The Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is the points-based system the province uses to rank and select Skills Immigration candidates. Scoring factors include directly related work experience, highest level of education, language proficiency in English or French, the hourly wage of the B.C. job offer, and the job’s area of employment within B.C.

Trades workers with a valid trade certificate from SkilledTradesBC (formerly the Industry Training Authority) – including Red Seal certificates issued by other provinces and territories – can earn additional points under the Education category, along with several other eligible professional designations. Use the BC PNP Points Calculator below to see how your experience, education, language ability, and job offer add up under the current SIRS scoring grid.

Using the BC PNP Points Calculator

This calculator is intended to help you estimate your standing under the BC PNP Skills Immigration Registration System. Your estimated score is based on the information you enter.

The calculator asks about your highest level of education – points range from a secondary school diploma up through a post-secondary diploma or certificate, bachelor’s degree, post-graduate certificate or diploma, master’s degree, and doctoral degree, with additional points if that education was completed in B.C. or elsewhere in Canada.

Other information the calculator asks for includes your language proficiency (English and, optionally, French), your directly related work experience, the hourly wage of your B.C. job offer, the job’s location within the province, and any eligible professional designation tied to your occupation.

BC PNP Priorities: Care, Build, and Innovate

As British Columbia’s only economic immigration tool, the BC PNP is designed to address labour shortages and support economic growth in communities and industries across the entire province – not just Metro Vancouver. The program’s targeted invitations focus on three core priorities:

Care – addressing B.C.’s need for workers in healthcare, childcare, education, and veterinary care. This includes healthcare workers employed by a B.C. health authority, certified early childhood educators (NOC 42202), French-speaking K-12 teachers with CLB 5+ in French, and veterinarians and veterinary technologists working toward Canadian certification.

Build – addressing labour shortages in major infrastructure and construction projects, including certified trades such as welders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and HVAC and heavy-duty equipment mechanics with a valid SkilledTradesBC certificate or registered apprenticeship.

Innovate – attracting highly skilled workers and experienced entrepreneurs across all sectors through High Economic Impact invitations, to help make B.C. a top destination for international talent.

Because these priorities span every region of the province, opportunities under the BC PNP exist well beyond the Lower Mainland – from Vancouver Island and the Okanagan to the Kootenays and Northern B.C.

Immigration Consulting Across British Columbia

The calculator can help you understand where you stand for immigration anywhere in British Columbia, whether your job offer is in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, or another region of the province. For personalized guidance, working directly with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) can help you navigate the BC PNP and SIRS systems with confidence.

The calculator gives you a starting point on your own, but an RCIC can review your specific file, flag issues before they become problems, and help you put your strongest registration forward. If that interests you, reach out today – or make good use of the calculator below to learn more about where you currently stand.