BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued more than 400 invitations
British Columbia PNP Starts 2026 With 429 Skills Immigration Invitations
British Columbia has launched its 2026 provincial immigration activity with a significant Skills Immigration draw, signalling a clear focus on candidates who can deliver strong economic value to the province. In an early-February selection round, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued more than 400 invitations to eligible foreign workers, marking the province’s first Skills Immigration draw of the year.
First Skills Immigration Draw of 2026 Issues 429 Invitations
On February 4, British Columbia invited a total of 429 candidates to apply for provincial nomination under the Skills Immigration stream. Candidates were selected from the BC PNP registration pool based on factors tied to economic contribution, including job offer strength and overall registration score.
Rather than relying on occupation-specific categories alone, the province used two targeted selection approaches designed to prioritise applicants who are likely to make a significant economic impact in BC.
How Candidates Were Selected in the Latest Draw
High-Wage Job Offer Selection
More than half of the invitations went to candidates holding exceptionally high-paying job offers. These applicants were required to have employment offers in skilled occupations classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, with wages of $70 per hour or higher, translating to approximately $145,000 annually.
- Invitations issued: 206
Score-Based Selection
- Invitations issued: 223
BC immigration officials also confirmed that future high-impact draws may rely on different or additional selection criteria, depending on provincial priorities.
What BC Considers “High Economic Impact”
- Level and field of education, as well as where the education was completed
- Professional certifications or licensing in British Columbia
- Language proficiency in English or French
- Occupation and relevance to provincial labour shortages
- Length and skill level of work experience
- Wage level and job offer quality
- The intent to settle in specific regions of the province
- Alignment with provincial labour strategies, pilot programs, or economic initiatives
Snapshot of the BC Skills Immigration Registration Pool
As of early January 2026, the Skills Immigration registration pool contained over 11,000 candidates, with the majority clustered in the mid-score ranges. The largest concentration of applicants fell between 100 and 129 points, indicating intense competition below the highest scoring tiers.
Notably, only a very small number of candidates were registered with scores above 150, underscoring how selective the program has become at the top end.
Limited Nomination Spaces Add Pressure in 2026
- Applicants carried over from the province’s 2025 intake
- Waitlisted candidates from previous selection rounds
- Entrepreneur Immigration streams
What This Means for BC PNP Applicants
Candidates with mid-range scores or lower-wage offers may need to improve their profiles, explore alternative immigration pathways, or consider other provincial nominee programs to enhance their chances in 2026. As British Columbia continues to refine its selection strategy, future draws are expected to remain highly competitive and strategically targeted.
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