BC PNP Health Authority Stream: PR for Healthcare Workers in BC

BC's public health authorities are:

• Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
• First Nations Health Authority
• Fraser Health
• Interior Health
• Island Health
• Northern Health
• Vancouver Coastal Health
• Providence Health Care

Private clinics, care homes and pharmacies aren't health authorities. If your employer is private, you may qualify under the Skilled Worker stream, where health care jobs are targeted in Care draws.

Health authority support

Health authorities aren't required to support BC PNP applications, and each has its own process. Only a few authorized people at each health authority can sign your Employer Declaration Form. Ask your health authority's human resources department how its process works before you apply. BC Health Careers also offers free recruitment support on behalf of the health authorities.

Physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives

• Physicians and nurse practitioners who aren't direct health authority employees can qualify if they have a health authority's support and are licensed, or eligible to be licensed, in BC.
• Midwives can qualify with the support of a health authority or a midwife practice group, and a licence to practise in BC.

See WelcomeBC's Health Authority-eligible occupations list for every NOC code.

Most health care jobs in BC are regulated. Before a health authority can hire you, you'll usually need:

• A credential assessment with the right body, such as the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for nurses
• Registration with the BC regulator, such as the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC
• Exams, if required, such as the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses

Your regulator's website lists the current registration pathway for internationally educated professionals, such as BCCNM for nurses. Start licensing early. It's often the longest step.

Many health care workers qualify for more than one route. We compare them for you.

Express Entry category-based draws →

1. Start licensing with the right regulator, if your job is regulated.
2. Get a regular, indeterminate, full-time job offer from a BC health authority.
3. Get your health authority's support through its own process, and a signed Employer Declaration Form.
4. Take a language test, if your job is TEER 2 or 3 (or you're using EEBC).
5. (EEBC only) Create your Express Entry profile and note your profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code.
6. Apply directly in BC PNP Online under Health Authority (or Express Entry BC: Health Authority), with your documents and the $1,750 fee. No registration or invitation is needed.
7. BC review and nomination.
8. Apply for PR with IRCC, or accept the nomination in Express Entry for +600 points.
9. Work permit support, if needed, so you can start or keep working.

• Passport and status documents
• Signed job offer from the health authority and the Employer Declaration Form
• Professional registration or licence, or proof you're eligible
• Education documents and credential assessments
• Language test results (if required)
• Résumé and reference letters
• Medical exam and police certificates (for PR)

1. Route comparison: Health Authority, Skilled Worker, Express Entry categories
2. Licensing roadmap: which regulator, assessments and exams
3. BC PNP application and health authority paperwork
4. Express Entry profile for EEBC and health care draws
5. Work permit support to start your job
6. Family planning: spousal work permits and children's study

Book a healthcare immigration consultation