BC PNP Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Stream: Closed, and Your Options Now

The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream was part of the Skills Immigration category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). It was one of the few provincial routes in Canada for workers in jobs that don't need post-secondary education.

In general, ELSS was for people who:

• worked full-time for a B.C. employer in an eligible lower-skilled occupation (TEER 4 or 5 under the National Occupational Classification),
• had worked for that employer for a set period (nine months) before applying,
• had a full-time, indeterminate job offer from the same employer, and
• met a basic language requirement and B.C.'s minimum income requirement.

Eligible jobs were mostly in tourism and hospitality, long-haul trucking and food processing. In the Northeast region of B.C., a wider range of lower-skilled jobs could qualify. ELSS had no Express Entry option, because federal Express Entry programs require skilled work.

ELSS is closed, and it will not return in its old form.

From the last invitation in December 2024 until April 2026, the stream was listed but effectively paused. The April 2026 announcement made the closure official. See our BC PNP 2026 overhaul status page for more background.

If you were registered in ELSS, your registration can no longer lead to an invitation. Check your BC PNP online account for messages, and contact the BC PNP if your application was already in process.

B.C. gets a fixed number of nominations from the federal government each year. In 2026, it started with 5,254 and later received 1,000 more, for a total of 6,254. CIC News reported that B.C. had asked for 9,000. With fewer spaces than it wanted, B.C. chose to focus on:

• Care: 36 in-demand occupations in health care, education, child care and veterinary care
• Build: 9 key skilled trades
• Innovate: high economic impact candidates in all sectors

Lower-skilled jobs in hospitality and food processing did not fit these priorities. At the same time, federal rules for low-wage work permits tightened. As of April 10, 2026, Canada refuses to process most low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments in 30 metropolitan areas. See our low-wage LMIA refusal areas page.

The Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative is the closest thing B.C. now has to ELSS, but it is much narrower.

If you work as a cleaner or security guard for a private company that holds a hospital contract, you are not a direct employee and the initiative won't cover you.

In British Columbia

• Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative. A one-time route for up to 250 cleaners, janitors and security workers who are direct employees of a B.C. public health authority and work outside Metro Vancouver, Central Okanagan and the Capital Regional District. Registration closes October 7, 2026.
• Skilled Worker stream. If you move into a supervisory or skilled role (TEER 0 to 3) and build two years of skilled experience, you may qualify. Note that B.C. made some supervisor roles, such as food service supervisors and retail sales supervisors, ineligible from June 13, 2026, according to Immigration.ca.
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot. A federal pilot with B.C. communities in West Kootenay, North Okanagan Shuswap and Peace Liard.

Federal routes

• 2026 TR to PR pathway. A one-time federal route for temporary residents with 33,000 spaces over 2026 and 2027, excluding all 41 large urban areas.
• Atlantic Immigration Program if you can get a job with a designated employer in Atlantic Canada.

Other provinces and territories

Several provinces still nominate some TEER 4 and 5 workers, usually with local work experience:

• Yukon's Critical Impact Worker stream
• The Northwest Territories' Entry Level/Semi-Skilled Occupations category
• Alberta's Alberta Opportunity Stream and Tourism and Hospitality Stream
• Saskatchewan's Existing Work Permit sub-category, which accepts TEER 4 and 5 jobs only for some work permit types
• Manitoba's Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream

Most of these need you to already live and work in that province or territory. Moving just to qualify is a big decision; check the current rules first.

Many former ELSS candidates are on employer-specific work permits. Losing your job or letting your permit expire can make every option harder.

• Check your permit end date and apply to extend it before it expires. See extending your status and maintained status.
• If your status has already expired, read about restoration of status. Strict time limits apply.
• If an employer or recruiter asks you to pay for a job offer or a nomination, that is illegal. Read our scam protection guide.

If you face a refusal, a gap in status or other problems, talk to a lawyer or a licensed consultant (RCIC) before you act.