British Columbia issues 429 invitations in first 2026 PNP draw
British Columbia held its initial Skills Immigration draw of 2026 on February 4, extending 429 invitations to apply for provincial nomination under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).
The province said invitations were issued to registrants identified as having a high potential economic contribution, based on job offer wages or registration scores within the BC PNP system.
- Draw date: February 4, 2026
- Total invitations: 429
- High-wage job offer stream: 206 invitations
- Score-based selection: 223 invitations
- Minimum qualifying score: 138 points
- Wage threshold for high-wage stream: $70 per hour or more
Details of the February 4 Skills Immigration draw
According to the BC PNP update, 206 invitations were issued to candidates with job offers paying at least $70 per hour and classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. Another 223 invitations were sent to candidates who achieved a registration score of at least 138 points.
The province indicated that future draws focused on economic impact could consider varied factors, including education, credentials, language ability, occupation type, work experience, and regional settlement intentions.
Future draw considerations
British Columbia noted that upcoming draws may incorporate the following selection elements:
- Educational background, field, and location of study
- Professional certifications obtained in B.C.
- Language proficiency in English or French
- Occupation and related experience
- Wage level and skill classification of the job offer
- Commitment to reside and work in specific regions of the province
- Strategic labour market or pilot program priorities
Skills Immigration registration pool overview
The BC PNP regularly releases registration pool statistics, showing the number of candidates in various score brackets. As of January 6, 2026, the pool contained 11,210 active registrations across score ranges from below 60 to above 150.
The distribution was as follows:
- 150+ points: 9 registrations
- 140–149 points: 67 registrations
- 130–139 points: 791 registrations
- 120–129 points: 1,170 registrations
- 110–119 points: 1,635 registrations
- 100–109 points: 2,161 registrations
- 90–99 points: 2,048 registrations
- 80–89 points: 1,530 registrations
- 70–79 points: 996 registrations
- 60–69 points: 480 registrations
- 0–59 points: 323 registrations
The top three score categories have not yet been updated following the February 4 draw, according to the provincial data.
Nomination allocation and program capacity
British Columbia has been allocated 5,254 provincial nomination spaces for 2026. The allocation includes spaces for Skills Immigration applicants, those carried over from previous intakes, and participants in entrepreneur immigration streams.
Given the size of the registration pool relative to the available nomination spaces, the number of invitations in 2026 is expected to remain limited compared with total registrations.
Context within Canada’s provincial nominee framework
The BC PNP is one of several provincial immigration pathways that operate in partnership with the federal government. Similar programs, such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), also conduct regular draws to select candidates who meet local labour market demands and settlement objectives.
These programs collectively support Canada’s regional immigration strategy by allowing provinces to nominate skilled workers and entrepreneurs for permanent residence based on local economic priorities.
Economic and program background
The Skills Immigration stream is designed to attract individuals with experience in high-demand occupations across sectors such as technology, healthcare, and trades. Eligibility under the program typically depends on a combination of job offer strength, wage level, work experience, and language proficiency.
British Columbia’s emphasis on high-wage job offers aligns with its goal of supporting industries facing labour shortages and stimulating economic growth through skilled employment. The program continues to act as a key channel for employers seeking to retain international talent in the province.
Transparency and reporting
The BC PNP maintains a public record of draw results and registration pool statistics, enabling stakeholders to monitor trends in selection thresholds and nomination volumes over time. This approach is consistent with the transparency practices followed by other provincial programs across Canada.
Outlook
The February 4 draw marks the start of British Columbia’s 2026 nomination activity, setting the tone for the year’s immigration selection process. Future updates from the province are expected to provide further detail on score thresholds, occupational priorities, and the progress of nominations throughout the year.
For continued coverage of Canadian immigration developments and provincial nominee updates, readers can explore related reports and program summaries across national and regional streams.