BC PNP International Post-Graduate Stream (Closed): Options for Master's and PhD Graduates

The International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream was part of the Skills Immigration category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). It was designed to keep highly educated graduates of B.C. universities in the province.

In general, it was for people who:

• had completed a master's or doctoral degree at an eligible B.C. post-secondary institution within the last few years,
• had studied in an eligible field in the natural, applied or health sciences, and
• intended to live in B.C. and could support themselves.

It was the only BC PNP stream that did not need a job offer. Unlike most Skills Immigration streams, IPG applicants did not have to compete in scored registration draws in the same way. It also had an Express Entry BC version for people in the federal Express Entry pool.

The stream is closed. According to CIC News, it closed in January 2025. The broader International Graduate stream closed in November 2025.

For a time, B.C. said it would create new streams for bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates. On April 23, 2026, B.C. announced its Care, Build and Innovate restructure, and WelcomeBC said no new student streams would launch. CIC News reported that the planned graduate streams were cancelled.

After the restructure, the Skills Immigration category has two streams: Skilled Worker and Health Authority. Both need a job offer. See our BC PNP 2026 overhaul status page for the full timeline.

If you applied before the closure, check your BC PNP online account and contact the BC PNP. WelcomeBC's public updates do not set out every transition rule.

B.C.'s federal nomination allocation has been much smaller than the province wanted. CIC News reported that B.C. asked for 9,000 nominations for 2026 and received 5,254 at first. IRCC added 1,000 more in August 2026, for a total of 6,254. With limited spaces, B.C. chose to target health care, key trades and high economic impact candidates rather than keep a no-job-offer route for graduates.

The Innovate objective still leaves room for research-heavy talent. B.C. says it sends high economic impact invitations across all sectors, including technology. These invitations still go through the Skilled Worker stream, so a job offer is needed.

One change in the May 2026 program guide may help PhD graduates. According to Immigration.ca's summary of the guide, unpaid doctoral research at Canadian public universities can now count as work experience. Paid co-op placements can also count, but most other work done while on a study permit does not. Check the Skills Immigration Program Guide for the exact rule before you count your experience.

In British Columbia

• Skilled Worker stream. Get a full-time, indeterminate job offer in TEER 0 to 3 and show at least two years of skilled experience. Many master's and PhD holders work in occupations B.C. targets under Care or Innovate.
• Health Authority stream. For graduates hired by a B.C. public health authority, including research and clinical roles.

Federal programs

• Canadian Experience Class. One year of skilled Canadian work experience can qualify you for Express Entry. Advanced degrees earn strong Comprehensive Ranking System points.
• Express Entry researcher draws. Canada added a researchers category for 2026.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program if you have skilled work experience from any country.
• Global Talent Stream, which lets employers hire some highly skilled workers quickly on a work permit while you build experience.

Other provinces

Manitoba still runs a Graduate Internship Pathway for master's and doctoral graduates of Manitoba institutions who complete a Mitacs internship. Saskatchewan runs a Students sub-category for its own graduates. These usually need you to have studied in that province. Our Provincial Nominee Program overview compares every province.

If you are in a master's or PhD program now, the closure changes how you should plan the end of your studies.

• Line up work before you graduate. Without a no-job-offer stream, your permanent residence plan will almost always depend on a job. Talk to employers, supervisors and your school's career office early.
• Check your post-graduation work permit eligibility. Degree holders are exempt from the 2026 field-of-study list, but other rules still apply. See our post-graduation work permit page.
• Think about your field and region. B.C.'s 2026 priorities favor health care, education, child care, veterinary care, key trades and high economic impact jobs. B.C. also expects at least 35% of nominations to go to people working outside Metro Vancouver.
• Keep records of your research and paid work. Letters, contracts and pay records will matter when you count experience for B.C. or for the federal Canadian Experience Class.

Your spouse may also be able to work while you study or work. See our spousal open work permit page for the 2026 rules.

1. Protect your status. If you are on a post-graduation work permit, note its end date and plan around it.
2. Get skilled Canadian work. Even one year opens the Canadian Experience Class.
3. Raise your language scores. High scores add many CRS points and help your BC PNP score. See our language test guide.
4. Check your CRS score with our CRS calculator.
5. Get advice if your case is complex. If you have a past refusal or a gap in status, talk to a lawyer or a licensed consultant (RCIC) before you apply.