What changed for graduates
| Before | Now (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| International Graduate stream | Canadian graduates with a TEER 1–3 BC job offer, no work experience needed | No longer offered |
| International Post-Graduate stream | BC master's or PhD graduates in some sciences, no job offer needed | No longer offered |
| New student streams | — | BC said on April 23, 2026 it won't launch any |
| Points for Canadian education | Extra points | Still available: 8 points for BC, 6 for elsewhere in Canada |
| Tech draws | Separate tech draws | Ended December 3, 2024. Tech jobs are still eligible through Innovate rounds |
If you registered or planned for the old graduate streams, you'll need to qualify under a current stream instead.
Your BC PNP option now: the Skilled Worker stream
Most graduates will apply through the Skilled Worker stream. The big difference from the old graduate stream is work experience:
- You need a full-time, indeterminate job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation from an eligible BC employer.
- You need 2 years of full-time skilled work experience (TEER 0–3) in the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad.
- Work done on a study permit doesn't count, except paid, full-time co-op terms in a skilled job, once you've graduated. Work on your PGWP after graduation does count.
- Doctoral graduates of Canadian public universities may be able to count some unpaid doctoral research as experience.
Graduate-friendly points:
- 8 points for completing your highest education at a BC post-secondary school (6 elsewhere in Canada)
- 10 regional alumni points if you graduated from a public BC school outside Metro Vancouver in the last 3 years, while living outside Metro Vancouver, and your job is outside Metro Vancouver
- 10 points for 1 year of directly related work in Canada, and 10 if you already work full-time for your BC employer
Health jobs: if your offer is from a BC public health authority, you may apply directly through the Health Authority stream, with no draw.
Will I be invited?
In 2026, BC invites Skilled Worker registrants through its Care, Build and Innovate priorities. Graduates working as nurses, early childhood educators, French-speaking teachers, veterinary technologists or certified tradespeople may be invited in targeted Care or Build rounds. Graduates in other jobs, including tech, usually need an Innovate invitation, which has needed high scores or wages.
Other routes from PGWP to PR
| Route | Fits you if |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) | You'll have 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work, usually on your PGWP |
| Express Entry category draws | Your work is in a category IRCC is targeting, such as health care, trades or French |
| BC PNP Skilled Worker (EEBC option) | You have a BC job offer, 2 years of skilled experience and an Express Entry profile. Nomination adds 600 CRS points |
| Other provinces' PNPs | You studied or work in another province. Check each province's current streams: Ontario, for example, closed its Masters and PhD Graduate streams in 2026 |
Plan around your PGWP
Your PGWP can't be extended in most cases, so plan early:
- Count your skilled hours from the day your PGWP work starts.
- Pick the right job. A TEER 0–3 role keeps both CEC and BC PNP Skilled Worker open.
- Take a language test early and aim high. It helps in both systems.
- Check your employer meets BC PNP rules, such as one year in BC and enough full-time staff.
- Watch the calendar. BC needs 2 years of skilled experience, so on a 3-year PGWP, CEC may come first.
How Trueman Immigration helps graduates
- PGWP-to-PR plan: which route fits, and when
- Hours and NOC check for CEC and BC PNP
- BC PNP score strategy: wage, area, education and language
- Employer and job offer check before you register
- Express Entry profile and BC PNP registration
- Status protection if your PGWP is ending