BC PNP 2025 Boost: 960 New Nominations for Skilled Workers
BC PNP Receives Second Nomination Boost in 2025: What It Means for Skilled Workers and Graduates
British Columbia has just scored another win for immigration hopefuls. On December 15, 2025, the province announced it had been allocated an additional 960 provincial nomination spaces from the federal government. This is the second nomination increase for the year, pushing the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s (BC PNP) total allocation to 6,214 nominations.
This new batch of nominations is welcome news—especially for skilled professionals and international post-graduates who’ve been waiting their turn in the queue. Let’s break down what this change means, who stands to benefit, and how BC has been using its nomination slots so far in 2025.
Key Highlights
- British Columbia received 960 additional nomination spaces, raising its 2025 total to 6,214.
- Priority will be given to healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and high economic impact candidates.
- Waitlisted International Post-Graduate (IPG) applications from 2024 will also be considered.
- So far in 2025, BC has issued invitations through 14 Entrepreneur Immigration draws and 3 Skills Immigration draws.
- British Columbia aims to use its full 2025 nomination allocation before year-end.
Why This Matters for Immigration to British Columbia
Each year, provinces across Canada receive a set number of nominations from the federal government under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These nominations allow provinces to invite skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs who can support local economic and community growth. With this latest increase, British Columbia is better equipped to meet its labour market needs and reduce backlogs—especially for international grads who’ve been in limbo.
This move also reflects a growing demand for skilled newcomers in key sectors, and it signals BC’s strong intention to stay competitive within Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.
Who Benefits from the Additional 960 Nomination Spaces?
The province has outlined specific priority groups that will receive nominations from this new allotment. These include:
- Healthcare professionals – to address ongoing shortages in BC’s healthcare system.
- Entrepreneurs – particularly those able to invest in and contribute to regional growth.
- High economic impact candidates – individuals who offer strong economic potential based on their education, job offer details, and wage levels.
In addition to these focus groups, a portion of the new nominations will go toward waitlisted International Post-Graduate (IPG) applications submitted in 2024. These are candidates who completed their studies in BC and have been waiting for a nomination invitation. The province had indicated earlier in the year that over 2,200 IPG applications were pending, so this update brings much-needed movement for those applicants.
BC’s Nomination Allocation: A Quick Recap
This is the second increase to BC’s nomination quota in 2025. Earlier in the year, the province’s allocation had gone up from 4,000 to 5,254 nominations. With the additional 960 spots, BC’s total now sits at 6,214 nominations for the year. That means the province has recovered about 77% of its 2024 nomination allocation of 8,000 spaces.
Looking ahead, British Columbia has committed to using its full nomination allocation by the end of 2025. It also plans to release its immigration priorities for 2026 in the coming months.
How Many Invitations Has BC Issued So Far in 2025?
British Columbia has been steadily issuing invitations in 2025, aligning with its economic and labour market priorities. Here’s what we know so far:
Entrepreneur Immigration Category
- 14 total draws in 2025
- Base Stream: 8 draws, around 80 invitations issued.
- Regional Stream: 6 draws, around 30 invitations issued.
Skills Immigration Category
- 3 draws held, resulting in 978 invitations.
- Most of these went to candidates with job offers in critical occupations or those meeting specific minimum scores.
While exact numbers haven’t been released for the resumed processing of waitlisted IPG applications, this latest nomination boost suggests that many of those applications could soon be finalized.
Understanding “High Economic Impact” Candidates
When BC refers to “high economic impact” candidates, it’s looking at a combination of factors, including:
- Level of education
- Job offer details (occupation and employer)
- Wage being offered
Essentially, these are candidates most likely to contribute meaningfully to BC’s economy. If you fall into this category, this might be the right time to check your eligibility for the BC PNP.
What This Means for International Post-Graduates
One of the most encouraging aspects of this announcement is the renewed focus on waitlisted IPG candidates. These are individuals who completed graduate-level studies at eligible BC institutions but hadn’t received an invitation due to limited nomination spaces earlier in the year.
For these international grads, this update offers a renewed sense of hope. Their Canadian education, local ties, and potential to support BC’s workforce make them strong candidates—and with more nomination spaces, the province now has room to act on that potential.
Final Thoughts: Great News for BC Immigration Hopefuls
This second boost to BC’s 2025 provincial nomination allocation shows strong momentum for skilled newcomers and international graduates alike. If you’re a healthcare worker, entrepreneur, or a recent international grad with ties to British Columbia, now might be the perfect time to explore your immigration options.
With opportunities on the rise, don’t wait on the sidelines. Take the next step in your Canadian journey today.
Use our BC PNP eligibility calculator or get in touch with our team to find out where you stand.
Looking at immigration options in other provinces too? You might want to explore pathways like the Manitoba PNP to increase your chances of success.
Stay tuned for more updates on Canada’s evolving immigration landscape—we’ve got you covered.
