British Columbia Issues 8,000 Immigration Nominations in 2024: Key Trends and Program Shifts Highlighted in Annual Report
British Columbia has published its 2024 annual report on the Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), providing detailed insights into its performance, major developments, and the occupational and demographic trends among its nominees.
The report confirms that the BC PNP issued its full 8,000 nomination allocation for permanent residency in 2024. The vast majority—7,972 nominations (99%)—were granted under the Skills Immigration (SI) category, which targets skilled workers and international graduates suited to the province’s labor market needs. Just 28 nominations were awarded through the Entrepreneur Immigration stream.
Distribution of Nominations Under Skills Immigration
The Skills Immigration category in 2024 included several sub-streams. Here’s how the nominations were divided:
| Skills Immigration Stream | Percentage of Total SI Nominations |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 35% |
| Health Authority | 23% |
| Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) | 3% |
| International Graduate | 20% |
| International Post-Graduate | 19% |
An important highlight: 81% of all SI nominees were selected under streams that required applicants to have a current job or a valid job offer, targeting real-time labor shortages in British Columbia.
Occupational Profile of Nominees in 2024
The report reveals a notable shift in the types of occupations nominated through the SI program. The most significant proportion of nominees worked in education, law, and social/community services, driven in part by increased demand for early childhood educators.
| Occupational Field | Percentage of SI Nominations |
|---|---|
| Education, Law, Social & Community Services | 23.5% |
| No Listed Occupation (IPG Stream) | 18.7% |
| Natural & Applied Sciences | 16.3% |
| Health | 12.1% |
| Sales & Services | 12.0% |
| Business, Finance & Administration | 8.0% |
| Trades, Transport & Equipment Operators | 7.4% |
| Arts, Culture, Recreation & Sport | 1.2% |
| Senior Management & Legislators | 0.4% |
| Manufacturing & Utilities | 0.3% |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources | 0.1% |
Median Salaries Across Streams
The report also provided salary data, indicating the median annual earnings for nominees in various streams:
| Nominee Stream | Median Salary (2024) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | $72,800 |
| International Graduate | $51,501 |
| Entry-Level & Semi-Skilled | $39,520 |
| Health Authority | $56,992 |
Top Source Countries and Regional Distribution
The top five countries of origin for nominees in 2024 were:
- India
- China
- Philippines
- Iran
- Nigeria
The province also made efforts to encourage immigration beyond Metro Vancouver. As a result, 42% of all nominees in 2024 were based outside of the Metro Vancouver region, indicating a more balanced geographic distribution of immigration benefits.
Policy and Program Adjustments in 2024
Significant policy updates were also announced. In March 2024, British Columbia revealed that the International Graduate (IG) and International Post-Graduate (IPG) streams would be discontinued. The government initially planned to launch three new academic-based streams for students holding Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degrees.
However, those plans were suspended later in the year due to a reduced nomination quota for 2025, leading the province to postpone implementation.
Conclusion
The BC PNP’s 2024 report paints a picture of a province using immigration strategically to meet labor market demands while also reevaluating and adapting its approach to student-focused streams. The data reflects a growing emphasis on essential services, education, and regional economic development.
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