Maple News reports that British Columbia has secured a second increase to its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocation, adding 960 nomination spaces approved by the federal government. This brings the province’s total for the year to 6,214, up from 5,254 following the first increase announced in October.
The new allocations, confirmed by the province on December 15, 2025, will prioritize select groups of applicants. Chief among the beneficiaries are healthcare professionals, high-impact economic candidates, entrepreneurs, and waitlisted International Post-Graduate (IPG) applicants. Many of these IPG applications, originally submitted in 2024, have been held in the provincial inventory due to limited nomination availability.
The BC PNP defines high economic impact candidates as those with strong potential to contribute to the provincial economy, typically based on their education, in-demand occupations, and competitive wage offers. These priorities are consistent with British Columbia’s ongoing strategy to address key labour market gaps and stimulate economic growth through targeted immigration.
Earlier in 2025, British Columbia increased its provincial nomination count from 4,000 to 5,254, responding to growing demand and the high volume of quality applicants. At the time, approximately 2,240 IPG applications were on the waitlist, many of which could now be processed thanks to this most recent allocation boost.
With the additional 960 nominations, British Columbia has successfully restored close to 77% of its 2024 allocation level of 8,000 slots. This development demonstrates the province’s commitment to maximizing its immigration capacity and supporting skilled newcomers.
Officials have stated British Columbia aims to fully utilize its allotted 2025 nominations before year-end. Meanwhile, the province is expected to outline its 2026 immigration priorities in the coming months, further shaping the direction of its economic immigration programs.
According to Maple News, prospective immigrants—especially those previously waitlisted—now have renewed opportunities to gain permanent residence through the BC PNP. This second allocation signals a broader effort by the province to attract and retain global talent that supports critical industries and strengthens the local economy.