British Columbia has continued its aggressive immigration efforts in 2026 by conducting fresh draws under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), targeting skilled workers and entrepreneurs needed to support the province’s growing economy and labour market demands.
Between May 5 and May 6, 2026, British Columbia issued a total of 341 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across its Skills Immigration (SI) and Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams. The latest draws focused heavily on healthcare professionals, construction workers, early childhood educators, veterinary occupations and foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish businesses in the province.
The new rounds of invitations come shortly after the province announced significant changes to its immigration priorities on April 23, 2026, with a stronger emphasis on occupation-based selection and labour shortages.
British Columbia Invites 333 Skilled Workers Through SI Draw
On May 6, the BCPNP invited 333 skilled workers under targeted occupational categories aligned with the province’s “Care” and “Build” objectives.
The province prioritized workers who can help strengthen healthcare services, support education systems and contribute to ongoing construction and infrastructure projects across British Columbia.
BCPNP Skills Immigration Draw Results
| Category | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
| Health Occupations | 117 | 108 |
| Veterinary Occupations | 9 | 100 |
| Education Occupations | 86 | 115 |
| Construction Trades | 121 | 108 |
Construction trades workers received the highest number of invitations in the latest draw, representing over one-third of all invitations issued.
Healthcare Occupations Remain a Top Priority
British Columbia continues to face major labour shortages in the healthcare sector, resulting in increased invitations for medical professionals through the BCPNP.
The province targeted a wide range of healthcare occupations, including:
- Registered nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Family physicians
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Respiratory therapists
- Licensed practical nurses
- Medical sonographers
Healthcare professionals remain among the most in-demand workers in Canada, with provinces increasingly relying on provincial nominee programs to fill staffing shortages.
Early Childhood Educators Receive Invitations
The May 2026 draw also targeted Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) under NOC 42202.
British Columbia has been actively inviting childcare professionals as the province expands childcare services and addresses workforce shortages in the education sector.
ECE occupations continue to benefit from targeted immigration draws and strong permanent residence opportunities through provincial programs.
Construction Trades Continue to Lead BCPNP Draws
British Columbia invited workers from several high-demand construction and skilled trade occupations, including:
- Welders
- Electricians
- Industrial electricians
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Steamfitters
- Carpenters
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- HVAC technicians
- Industrial mechanics
The province also confirmed that apprentices registered with SkilledTradesBC were included in the targeted draw.
Demand for construction workers remains exceptionally high due to ongoing housing developments, infrastructure expansion and industrial projects throughout British Columbia.
Entrepreneur Immigration Draw Held on May 5
In addition to skilled workers, British Columbia also invited entrepreneurs through its Entrepreneur Immigration streams on May 5, 2026.
Entrepreneur Immigration Draw Results
| Stream | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
| Base Stream | 8 | 115 |
| Regional Stream | Less than 5 | 115 |
The Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream is designed for foreign nationals interested in starting or purchasing a business anywhere in British Columbia.
Meanwhile, the Regional Stream targets entrepreneurs planning to establish businesses outside Metro Vancouver to support regional economic growth.
British Columbia Entrepreneur Pathways Continue to Grow
The province has conducted eight Entrepreneur Immigration draws so far in 2026, issuing at least 49 invitations to foreign business investors and entrepreneurs.
British Columbia remains one of Canada’s most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs due to its strong economy, diverse industries, business-friendly environment and high quality of life.
BCPNP Continues Shift Toward Occupation-Based Immigration
The latest draws clearly show British Columbia’s increasing focus on targeted immigration strategies that prioritize workers in sectors facing critical labour shortages.
Healthcare workers, educators, construction professionals and entrepreneurs are expected to remain key priorities throughout 2026 as the province continues to address economic and workforce challenges.
For foreign nationals seeking Canadian permanent residence, the BCPNP remains one of the strongest immigration pathways available in Canada today.
