British Columbia has launched an initiative for support staff
The province plans to nominate up to 250 healthcare support workers employed in areas far from major cities.
British Columbia has launched a temporary immigration initiative for healthcare system workers in rural and remote areas. It's called the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative and operates under British Columbia's provincial program.
The initiative is designed for certain healthcare workers who are already employed in rural and remote areas of British Columbia.
The province plans to nominate up to 250 candidates through this initiative.
Requirements
The initiative operates under the skilled worker stream of British Columbia's provincial program.
Candidates must have a permanent full-time job offer from one of the eligible British Columbia health authorities.
Before registering, candidates must have worked for this employer for at least nine consecutive months full-time. At the time of registration and application, they must also continue to be employed full-time.
Work obtained through a study program, as well as work during studies in Canada, does not count toward the required nine months of experience.
Additionally, candidates must meet the general requirements of the provincial program, including requirements for education, language proficiency, and income.
Eligible Occupations
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The initiative is not for doctors and other medical professionals, but for certain support workers in the healthcare system.
Candidates with the following occupations may participate:
- security guards and other security service workers
- light duty cleaners
- janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners
Candidates must be direct employees of an eligible health authority. Workers from third-party organizations that provide services to healthcare facilities are not eligible for the initiative.
Employers
The following health authorities can support candidates under the initiative:
- Provincial Health Services Authority;
- First Nations Health Authority;
- Fraser Health;
- Interior Health;
- Island Health;
- Northern Health;
- Vancouver Coastal Health;
- Providence Health Care.
Each employer independently determines which employees they are willing to support when applying for a provincial nomination.
Rural and Remote Areas
The candidate's workplace must be located in a rural or remote area of British Columbia.
Workplaces in the following regional districts are generally not eligible:
- Capital Regional District;
- Central Okanagan Regional District;
- Metro Vancouver Regional District.
An exception is made for certain islands in the Capital Regional District: Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Salt Spring Island, and Saturna Island.
Registration and Selection
Candidates who meet the requirements and have employer support can register in the British Columbia provincial program system.
After registration, candidates enter a pool from which the province conducts targeted draws and invites participants to apply for a provincial nomination.
The option to apply through the federal Express Entry system is not available under this initiative.
Registration for the temporary initiative opened on June 15, 2026 and will close on August 31, 2026.
Learn more about the priority areas of British Columbia's provincial program in our separate article.
