British Columbia has announced full eligibility requirements for a new temporary pathway to permanent residence (PR) aimed at cleaning and security workers employed by health authorities in rural and remote communities. Registrations for the initiative will open on June 15, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026.
The province said the Temporary Rural / Remote Health Support initiative is expected to help up to 250 workers transition to permanent residence through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). A webinar providing additional details will be held on June 10.
Eligible occupations and work requirements
The pathway is open to workers employed full-time in one of three occupations: janitors, caretakers and heavy-duty cleaners (NOC 65312), light-duty cleaners (NOC 65310), and security guards and related security service occupations (NOC 64410). Applicants must hold a regular, indeterminate full-time position with a British Columbia health authority in a rural or remote community.
To qualify, candidates must have worked full-time in an eligible occupation for the same health authority for at least nine months before registering with the BCPNP. They must also continue working in the position throughout the application process.
The initiative applies to workers employed by one of eight public health authorities in the province, including the Provincial Health Services Authority, First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Providence Health Care.
Each health authority will decide how it selects applications for support. Support from a health authority is required, but health authorities are not obligated to endorse an application. Candidates must also obtain a signed job offer on official letterhead from their employer.
Education, income and regional restrictions
Applicants must have completed at least secondary school education and provide proof of their highest educational qualification. They must also meet income requirements based on their wages, place of residence in British Columbia, and family size. In addition, they must satisfy the general eligibility requirements that apply to all Skills Immigration candidates under the BCPNP.
The province said employers must meet all program requirements related to business operations, economic benefit, and organizational structure. Applicants whose employers do not meet these conditions will not be eligible.
Some regions are excluded from the initiative. Workers employed in the Central Okanagan Regional District, Metro Vancouver Regional District, and Capital Regional District are not eligible. However, workers on Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Salt Spring Island, and Saturna Island remain eligible.
The province has also clarified that certain work experience will not count toward the required nine-month employment period. This includes work completed as part of a study program, employment gained while holding a study permit, and leave periods extending beyond two weeks. Workers employed by contractors providing services to health authorities are also excluded, as only direct employees can qualify.
British Columbia first announced the initiative on April 23, 2026, as part of broader changes to its Provincial Nominee Program. The province said the program overhaul is guided by three priorities: Care, Build and Innovate—with the new health support worker pathway falling under the Care category aimed at strengthening healthcare and other public services in rural communities.
