The news is far from optimistic: the number of nominations has been cut, there will be almost no new invitations, and the 2025 quota is already almost fully occupied by applications submitted in 2024. In this article, we explain what exactly is changing, why it’s happening, and what to watch for.
Quota reduction and its consequences
While planning for 2025, the province requested that the federal government increase the quota from 8,000 to 11,000 spots. However, in a frustrating twist, the federal government reduced the quota to just 4,000 nominations — more than half the previous year’s total. This reduction is like denying insulin to a diabetic: “We know you critically need it… but we don’t care.”
Due to the limited quota, BC PNP will only accept 1,100 new applications in 2025. The main focus will be on healthcare-related professions: doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. This means that for most other professions, new nominations in 2025 will be nearly unavailable.
The province will focus on processing applications submitted in 2024, in an effort to fairly finalize cases for those who are already working in British Columbia and waiting for a decision. Specifically:
- Applications submitted in 2024 under sub-streams requiring a job offer will be processed in 2025. This applies to those already working in the province with employer support.
- Applications in the International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream received before September 1, 2024, will also be processed in 2025.
- Applications from graduates submitted between September 1, 2024 and January 7, 2025 (when the program was closed) will go to a waitlist and will only be reviewed if the federal government increases the quota.
It’s worth noting that in March 2024, BC PNP announced the closure of the graduate stream by year-end. By that point, the number of applications had more than doubled compared to 2023. Most candidates have the right to a three-year post-graduation work permit, which allows them to stay in Canada longer. However, to support those whose permits are expiring soon, the province has asked the federal government to allow an extension of their status.
New applications: Healthcare only
In 2025, new applications will mainly be accepted only through the Health Authority stream, which is now limited to a narrow set of professions.
- All NOC codes starting with 3 (healthcare sector)
- Social Workers (NOC 41300)
- Mental Health Counselors and Therapists (NOC 41301), including addiction counselors, youth and family therapists, and specialists working with vulnerable populations
- Social and Community Support Workers (NOC 42201), usually involved with applications for social benefits and assistance
Additional restrictions for certain professions:
- All social worker applicants must have appropriate education in social or medical fields
- All healthcare and dental assistant applicants must be registered in the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry
- Dental assistant applicants must already be licensed in British Columbia. Without a license, they are ineligible under this stream
Main condition – being employed by a BC provincial health authority, such as:
- Provincial Health Services Authority
- First Nations Health Authority
- Fraser Health
- Interior Health
- Island Health
- Northern Health
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Providence Health Care
Additional changes:
- The launch of previously announced student programs is postponed indefinitely
- The program will now distinguish between early childhood educators and ECE assistants
- Stricter qualification requirements will be developed for social workers and community service workers
Why is this happening?
The federal quota reduction has placed the province in a difficult position: it is now forced to focus exclusively on the most critical occupations, such as healthcare, and postpone processing of all other applications.
BC continues to negotiate with the federal government to restore previous nomination levels. The situation may change after the upcoming elections. If quotas are increased, it would allow British Columbia to continue attracting and retaining the professionals necessary for the province's economic growth.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada.
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