Priority occupations for immigration to British Columbia
If you have one of the in-demand specialties, you can get a residence permit in a simplified way.
British Columbia invites applicants with certain occupations on a priority basis. Targeted immigration draws are held for them, with a lowered passing score compared to general drawings.
Requirements
The occupation list applies to only two streams of the British Columbia immigration program. Therefore, the applicant must meet the requirements of one of them:
If you don't meet the requirements of these streams, you can consider other options for moving to the province, but in this case, the professions listed below won't give you any bonus.
Occupations from several fields are prioritized in British Columbia.
Childcare
Construction
- landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists;
- sheet metal workers;
- boilermakers;
- structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters;
- ironworkers;
- welders and related machine operators;
- electricians;
- industrial electricians;
- plumbers;
- steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers;
- gas fitters;
- carpenters;
- cabinetmakers;
- bricklayers;
- construction millwrights and industrial mechanics;
- heavy-duty equipment mechanics;
- heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics;
- crane operators;
- concrete finishers;
- tilesetters;
- plasterers, drywall installers, finishers and lathers;
- roofers and shinglers;
- glaziers;
- painters and decorators;
- floor covering installers.
Healthcare
- managers in health care;
- specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine;
- specialists in surgery;
- general practitioners and family physicians;
- dentists;
- audiologists and speech-language pathologists;
- pharmacists;
- dieticians and nutritionists;
- psychologists;
- chiropractors;
- physiotherapists;
- occupational therapists;
- kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment;
- other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating;
- nursing coordinators and supervisors;
- registered nurses and psychiatric nurses;
- nurse practitioners;
- physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals;
- licensed practical nurses;
- paramedical occupations;
- respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists;
- other technical occupations in therapy and assessment;
- denturists;
- dental hygienists and therapists;
- dental technologists and technicians;
- medical laboratory technologists;
- medical radiation technologists;
- medical sonographers;
- cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists;
- pharmacy technicians;
- other medical technologists and technicians;
- traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists;
- dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants;
- medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations;
- nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates;
- pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants;
- social workers;
- therapists in counseling and related specialized therapies;
- social and community service workers.
Technology
- telecommunication carriers managers;
- computer and information systems managers;
- physicists and astronomers;
- mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries;
- data scientists;
- cybersecurity specialists;
- business systems specialists;
- information systems specialists;
- database analysts and data administrators;
- computer system developers and programmers;
- software engineers and designers;
- software developers and programmers;
- web designers;
- web developers and programmers;
- civil engineers;
- mechanical engineers;
- electrical and electronics engineers;
- computer engineers;
- chemical engineers;
- other professional engineers;
- biological technologists and technicians;
- computer network and web technicians;
- user support technicians;
- information systems testing technicians;
- electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians;
- industrial instrument technicians and mechanics;
- managers in publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts;
- authors and writers;
- technical writers;
- producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations;
- other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, and performing arts;
- broadcasting technicians;
- audio and video recording technicians;
- graphic designers and illustrators;
- motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators.
