British Columbia’s Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative Update

British Columbia recently conducted its second draw for candidates eligible under the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative (TRHSI) introduced earlier this year. This draw saw 33 cleaners and security staff, employed by a B.C. health authority in a remote area, receiving invitations to apply for provincial nomination.

Foreign nationals nominated by British Columbia become provincial nominees and can apply for permanent residence (PR) from the federal government. Nominees can also apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) after submitting their PR application.

Applicants for PR through the base Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) can now apply for a BOWP faster, thanks to a federal temporary measure that waives the requirement for an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for their PR application.

In the recent TRHSI draw on September 17, candidates needed a minimum score of 60, up by 10 points from the previous selection under the time-limited PR pathway. Here are the details:

• Date of TRHSI draw: September 17
• Cutoff score: 60
• Invitations issued: 33

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) has not disclosed the occupations represented among the invited candidates in the TRHSI rounds. So far, a total of 93 invitations have been issued under the TRHSI.

In April 2026, the province announced its plan to nominate up to 250 workers under the initiative, with registration open until October 7, 2026. The registration deadline was extended from August 31 to October 7 due to wildfire-related impacts in mid-August.