British Columbia prioritizes healthcare, childcare workers for 2026 immigration nominations

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 01, 2026

Photo courtesy: ICC Immigration Canada

VANCOUVER — British Columbia is putting healthcare workers and early childhood educators at the forefront of its provincial immigration program in 2026, with the two groups expected to receive as much as 39 percent of the province’s available nominations.

Under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), the province plans to issue between 1,620 and 2,015 nominations to workers in priority healthcare occupations by the end of 2026.

Early childhood educators, or ECEs, are targeted to receive another 360 to 440 nominations. Together, the two groups could account for between 31.7 percent and 39.3 percent of B.C.’s total allocation of 6,254 provincial nominations this year.

The province received an additional 1,000 nomination spaces from the federal government in August, raising its 2026 allocation from 5,254 to 6,254. B.C. said it plans to use its full allocation by Dec. 31.

As of Aug. 25, the BC PNP had issued invitations to apply to 474 candidates in priority healthcare occupations and 451 early childhood educators, for a combined 925 invitations.

Healthcare remains one of the province’s key immigration priorities amid demand for workers in essential services. B.C. currently lists 31 priority healthcare occupations, including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, medical laboratory technologists, medical sonographers, social workers and other health professionals.

For childcare, targeted invitations are available to early childhood educators under NOC 42202. To qualify for targeted selection, ECEs must hold a one-year or five-year certificate issued by British Columbia’s ECE Registry.

The province has organized its 2026 immigration priorities around three areas — Care, Build and Innovate. Aside from healthcare and childcare, B.C. is also prioritizing selected workers in education, veterinary care and construction, while continuing to invite candidates considered to have a high economic impact.

Successful BC PNP nominees may use their provincial nomination to apply to the federal government for permanent residence in Canada. Eligibility and application requirements vary depending on the immigration stream and occupation.