According to Maple News, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has officially increased its application fees for several Skills Immigration streams. Effective January 22, 2026, the fee has risen from $1,475 to $1,750 for specific worker categories within the program.
This update applies only to new applications submitted on or after this date. Candidates who filed their applications before January 22 will not be required to pay the difference.
The increase affects three primary streams under the Skills Immigration category: the Skilled Worker Stream, the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Stream, and the Health Authority Stream. Additionally, Express Entry BC (EEBC) options linked to the Skilled Worker and Health Authority streams are also subject to the revised fee.
Despite the fee hike, other costs within the BC PNP—including request for review fees or fees under the Entrepreneur Immigration streams—remain unchanged. The augmented fee solely applies to the submission of a provincial nomination application through the BC PNP’s Online User Portal. It does not cover the additional charges payable to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) when applying for permanent residency.
Fee payments are refundable only if an application is withdrawn before BC PNP begins the assessment process. Fees for requests to review decisions, however, remain non-refundable.
The Skills Immigration process allows foreign nationals with a valid job offer in B.C. to be nominated for Canadian permanent residence based on their qualifications, work experience, and demand in the province’s labour market. The recent adjustment in fees likely reflects administrative costs and continued demand for these economic immigration pathways.
Maple News will continue monitoring updates from the BC PNP and other provincial programs as Canada evolves its immigration framework to address regional needs and labour shortages.