British Columbia Issues 437 New Invitations

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British Columbia Issues 437 New Invitations

The province of British Columbia has continued its push to attract highly skilled international workers by conducting a new round of invitations under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The latest Skills Immigration (SI) draw took place on May 14, 2026, targeting candidates considered capable of contributing strongly to the province’s labour market and economic development.

The draw focused on applicants with strong wage offers, skilled job opportunities, and competitive registration scores. A total of 437 invitations to apply for provincial nomination were issued during this round.

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High-Wage Skilled Workers Received Majority of Invitations

The latest selection round primarily targeted candidates holding skilled job offers in higher-paying occupations categorized under TEER 0 to TEER 3 of Canada’s National Occupational Classification system. Candidates with strong registration scores were also selected.

The invitations were distributed under two separate selection categories:

Selection Criteria	Details	Invitations Issued
Wage/Salary + Job Offer	TEER 0–3 job offer with a wage of at least $59 per hour (approximately $120,000 annually)	225
Registration Score	Minimum registration score of 135 points	212

The province indicated that these invitations are part of its broader “Innovate” strategy, an initiative aimed at attracting top global talent, experienced professionals, and individuals with specialized expertise to strengthen British Columbia’s economy. Officials have stated that the initiative supports recruitment across multiple sectors rather than focusing on only one occupation group.

Selection Factors Could Change in Future Draws

British Columbia has clarified that future Skills Immigration draws may not follow the same criteria. Selection rounds can be adjusted according to labour shortages, economic goals, and regional priorities.

The province may consider factors such as:

Education level and field of study
Location where education was completed
Professional licensing or certification in British Columbia
Length and skill level of work experience
Language proficiency
Occupation and industry demand
Wage offered by the employer
Intention to settle in specific regions of the province
Strategic provincial workforce priorities

This flexible approach allows the province to respond quickly to labour market gaps and emerging economic needs.

One of the Largest Draws Conducted This Year

The May 14 draw became the third-largest Skills Immigration invitation round conducted by British Columbia in 2026.

Earlier large-scale draws included:

Draw Date	Invitations Issued	Main Selection Focus
April 22, 2026	484	Wage/Salary + TEER 0–3 job offer
February 11, 2026	460	Wage/Salary + TEER 0–3 job offer
May 14, 2026	437	Wage/Salary and registration score
February 4, 2026	429	Wage/Salary + TEER 0–3 job offer
May 6, 2026	333	Occupation-targeted selection

The May 6 draw differed from the others because it specifically invited workers in priority occupations connected to healthcare, veterinary services, education, and construction trades.

Nearly 10,000 Candidates Remain in the Registration Pool

British Columbia continues to see strong interest from foreign workers seeking provincial nomination opportunities. As of May 6, 2026, the Skills Immigration registration pool contained 9,967 active candidate profiles.

Most applicants were concentrated in the mid-range score brackets.

Score Range	Number of Registrations
0 - 59	215
60 - 69	401
70 - 79	853
80 - 89	1,353
90 - 99	1,781
100 - 109	2,107
110 - 119	1,550
120 - 129	1,148
130 - 139	522
140 - 149	32
150+	5

The largest number of candidates currently falls within the 100–109 score range, representing more than one-fifth of all registrations in the pool.

Over 2,100 Invitations Issued Through Skills Immigration in 2026

So far this year, British Columbia has issued 2,143 invitations under its Skills Immigration streams. The province has also remained active under its Entrepreneur Immigration category.

A total of eight Entrepreneur Immigration draws have been held across five selection rounds in 2026, resulting in at least 49 invitations being issued through both the EI Base Stream and the EI Regional Stream.

These entrepreneur pathways are designed for foreign business owners and investors interested in establishing or expanding businesses in British Columbia.

How the British Columbia PNP Selection System Works

Foreign nationals interested in immigrating through the BCPNP Skills Immigration category must first submit an online registration under an eligible stream.

After submission, candidates receive a score out of 200 points based on factors linked to economic success and human capital potential. These factors may include education, work experience, language skills, wage offered, and occupation demand.

Once entered into the registration pool, candidates remain eligible for selection for up to 12 months. If the profile expires before receiving an invitation, applicants must submit a new registration to continue participating.

Candidates who receive a provincial nomination from British Columbia can later apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for Canadian permanent residence.

Entrepreneur Immigration invitations 2026

BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration invitations issued to date:

Date	Stream	Minimum Score	Invitations Issued
May 5, 2026	Base	115	8
May 5, 2026	Regional	115	<5
April 14, 2026	Base Stream	115	14
March 10, 2026	Base Stream	117	7
March 10, 2026	Regional Stream	129	Fewer than 5
February 10, 2026	Base	121	13
February 10, 2026	Regional	105	Fewer than 5
January 13, 2026	Base	115	7

If your EOI is selected, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for nomination from British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

British Columbia Recently Introduced Major PNP Changes

The province recently announced significant updates to its Provincial Nominee Program on April 23, 2026. These changes are expected to reshape how invitations are issued and how economic immigration priorities are managed in the future.

British Columbia has indicated that the revised framework will continue prioritizing high-impact economic candidates while aligning immigration selection more closely with provincial workforce demands and long-term growth strategies.

Source: welcomebc.ca

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