BC PNP raises the nomination application fee for its worker streams

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has raised the application fee for the skills immigration category from US$1,475 to US$1,750.

The new fee was published on the BC PNP news page on 22/01/2026.

Only applications submitted on or after 22/01 are subject to the new fee; those who applied before that date are not required to pay the difference.

Other fees for the skills immigration category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) (for example, a request for reconsideration) remain unchanged, as do the fees for the British Columbia entrepreneur immigration streams.

Which streams are affected by this application fee increase?

Only those applying under the following skills immigration streams will be required to pay the new application fee of US$1,750:

• British Columbia Skilled Worker stream;
• British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream;
• Health Authority stream.

The Skilled Worker stream and the Health Authority stream also have British Columbia Express Entry (EEBC)options. Individuals invited under these Express Entry-linked streams are also subject to the fee increase.

Payment of the fee can be made in the BC PNP online user portal.

The fee is refundable only if the application is withdrawn before the BC PNP begins its assessment (except for the reconsideration request fee, which is non-refundable).

Note that the skills immigration fee discussed here applies only to the submission of a provincial nomination application for permanent residence (APR); it is separate from the fee candidates pay when applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR).

What is the skills immigration process?

Those interested in immigrating to British Columbia through a worker stream must:

• Identify the stream for which they qualify;
• Register online and join the candidate pool for their chosen stream;
  • At this step, candidates receive a score based on human capital factors (for example, work experience, education and language proficiency) and economic factors (for example, wage level and place of work).
  • Profiles remain active in the candidate pool for up to 12 months.
• Wait invitation to apply (ITA);
• Submit their provincial nomination Application for Permanent Residence (APR);
  • Candidates must submit a complete nomination application within 30 days of receiving an ITA, failing which the ITA expires and they are removed from the pool.
  • It is at this stage that candidates pay the US$1,750 fee and submit all required documents.
• Wait for a nomination decision; and
  • The current estimated application processing time is three months.
  • If successful, candidates receive a nomination package, including a Confirmation of Nomination (CON) letter for Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) purposes.
  • A nomination may be withdrawn if the candidate does not meet all the nomination conditions until they become a PR.
• Submit the PR application to IRCC before the expiry date listed on the CON letter.

Candidates in Canada whose work permit has expired or is about to expire will need to apply to IRCC for a work permit in order to maintain their legal status.

Nominees may receive a work permit support letter from British Columbia allowing them to apply to IRCC for a work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

This support letter may be provided automatically as part of the candidate’s nomination package if they do not hold a valid permit or it is about to expire. Nominees who do not receive a letter may request one through BC PNP Online, provided they meet certain criteria.

Nominees must submit their work permit application to IRCC within three months of their nomination date.