‘‘With only 1,100 new applications to be accepted in 2025, B.C. tightens focus on healthcare, entrepreneurs, and high-impact skilled workers’’
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is undergoing a dramatic restructuring in 2025, as the province responds to sharp federal cuts to immigration allocations. In an announcement made on April 14, the province confirmed it will accept only 1,100 new applications this year—down from thousands in previous years—and limit nominations to front-line healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers with high economic impact.
The decision follows the federal government’s October 2024 move to halve the overall landing allocation for
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), reducing the national target from 110,000 to just 55,000 for
2025. In January, provincial programs were officially informed of their individual reductions.
For B.C., that means an allocation of only 4,000 nominations in 2025—despite starting the year with 5,200
applications already in inventory. Of the 4,000, the province will assign 2,900 nominations to existing files,
leaving room for just 1,100 new applicants.
STREAMS CLOSED, DRAWS PAUSED, CRITERIA TIGHTENED
As part of the overhaul:
- The province has placed a moratorium on general and priority occupation draws for the remainder of 2025.
- Only around 100 high-impact individuals will be nominated from the province’s registration pool, which currently has over 10,000 candidates.
- Early Childhood Educator Assistants will no longer be eligible in targeted education draws; these will now focus solely on qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs).
- The Health Authority stream—once open to a broad range of roles—will now be restricted to front-line healthcare workers only.
INTERNATIONAL POST-GRADUATE STREAM ON HOLD
The International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream is also affected:
- Applications submitted between September 1, 2024, and January 7, 2025, will not be processed this year and will instead be placed on a waitlist.
- Other IPG applications received in 2024 and early 2025 will be processed later in 2025.
- Additionally, B.C. will not launch its three new student streams until its allocation levels are restored, leaving many recent and future graduates in limbo.
ENTREPRENEURS STILL WELCOME—FOR NOW
In contrast to the cuts across most categories, invitations to apply (ITAs) under the Entrepreneur Immigration stream will continue as planned, highlighting the province’s desire to retain and attract
investment-driven applicants.
A SHRINKING WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
This sharp pullback in provincial immigration programming reflects a broader trend across Canada. Many
provinces have paused new applications, revised eligibility criteria, and imposed stricter selection measures.
The cuts have sparked concern among immigration consultants, settlement organizations, and candidates
alike.
“What we’re seeing is a compression of opportunity,” said immigration policy analyst Daniel Wong. “With
fewer nomination spots and an oversupply of qualified applicants, the PNPs are becoming laser-focused on high-impact, immediate-need individuals.”
For now, candidates hoping to immigrate to British Columbia through the PNP will face one of the most
competitive landscapes in recent memory—one shaped not by demand, but by federal-level constraint.
