BC PNP 2025: Nomination Boost Opens More Immigration Doors
BC PNP Receives Boost: What the Increased 2025 Nomination Allocation Means for Immigration to British Columbia
- British Columbia’s PNP allocation increased by 1,254 nominations for 2025, bringing the total to 5,254.
- This boost allows BC to start processing some waitlisted International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream applications from 2024.
- The province is focusing on attracting healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and high-impact candidates.
- The increase recovers 69% of BC’s 2024 allocation, which was slashed amid federal immigration reductions.
- To date, BC has issued 568 invitations under Skills Immigration and up to 86 under Entrepreneur Immigration.
- Other provinces, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, have also received increased allocations in 2025.
British Columbia’s efforts to bring in international talent just got a welcome boost. The federal government has approved an additional 1,254 nomination spots under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), increasing the province’s 2025 quota from 4,000 to 5,254.
This is great news for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international graduates hoping to make BC their new home. Let’s take a closer look at what this means and how it could impact your immigration journey.
Why the BC PNP Allocation Increase Matters
With this top-up in nominations, BC has now recovered about 69% of its 2024 allocation of 8,000 slots. That’s a significant improvement, especially considering the federal government’s decision earlier this year to cut immigration targets across the board.
The announcement, made on October 2, 2025, outlines how the province plans to use these additional nominations—and for many applicants, it couldn’t come at a better time.
What Will These Extra Nominations Be Used For?
The province has confirmed that a portion of the newly added nominations will go toward processing a backlog of applications under the International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream. Specifically, applications submitted between September 1, 2024 and January 7, 2025 had been waitlisted until more spots became available. Now, some of those 2,240 applicants will finally get their chance.
But that’s not the only focus. British Columbia is also prioritizing nominations for:
- Healthcare professionals
- Entrepreneurs looking to invest in the province
- High economic impact applicants—those with strong job offers or advanced qualifications
However, the province has made it clear that it won’t expand to other priority sectors unless it receives even more nomination space from the federal government.
Why Were BC’s Allocations Reduced in the First Place?
If you’re wondering why BC (and other provinces) needed more spots to begin with, it all goes back to the federal government’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
In an effort to ease pressure on Canada’s housing market and public services, Ottawa announced a reduction in overall immigration targets. For 2025, the permanent resident admissions goal is set at 395,000—down from 485,000 in 2024.
This led to a significant cut in provincial nomination slots across Canada. The total number of PNP landings was sliced in half, from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025. Unsurprisingly, provinces have been pushing back, advocating for more space to meet their regional labour market needs.
How Many Invitations Has BC PNP Issued So Far in 2025?
Let’s break down the invitations issued through BC PNP so far this year.
Skills Immigration
Although most of BC’s draws in 2025 have focused on entrepreneurship, the Skills Immigration stream has still accounted for the bulk of all invitations:
| Draw Date | Number of Invitations |
|---|---|
| May 8, 2025 | 94 |
| October 2, 2025 | 474 |
| Total | 568 |
Entrepreneur Immigration
The Entrepreneur Immigration stream has seen more frequent draws, though fewer invitations overall:
| Draw Date | Number of Invitations |
|---|---|
| January 28, 2025 | <10 |
| March 18, 2025 | <13 |
| April 15, 2025 | 5 |
| May 28, 2025 | <14 |
| July 8, 2025 | <17 |
| August 19, 2025 | <16 |
| October 2, 2025 | 11 |
| Total | No more than 86 |
Other Provinces Seeing Increases Too
BC isn’t alone in getting a bump in nominations. Other provinces and territories have also received increases in 2025, including:
This trend reflects a growing demand from provinces to better tailor immigration to their labour markets and regional economies.
Thinking About Moving to BC?
With the BC PNP back on track and more nomination spots available, now is a fantastic time to explore your options. Whether you’re a graduate from a Canadian institution, a skilled worker, or an entrepreneur with a business idea, BC offers a range of pathways to permanent residency.
If you’re considering your options outside BC, have a look at the Manitoba PNP—another popular choice for newcomers looking to settle in Canada.
Ready to see if you qualify? Let’s help you get started with a personalized eligibility assessment.
