BC invites 484 candidates in April immigration draw
British Columbia conducted a new round of invitations under its provincial immigration system on April 22, focusing on skilled workers expected to contribute significantly to the provincial economy.
The draw was held through the Skills Immigration (SI) category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), with candidates selected based on wage levels, qualifying job offers, or registration scores.
The latest invitations come as the province continues to refine its selection priorities in 2026, including an increased emphasis on economic impact and labour market needs.
- A total of 484 candidates were invited in the April 22 draw
- 252 invitations were issued to candidates with high-wage job offers
- 232 invitations were issued based on registration scores of at least 138
- This marks British Columbia’s ninth provincial draw of 2026
- More than half of invitations were tied to wage and job offer criteria
Details of the April 22 Skills Immigration draw
In this round, the province issued 484 invitations to candidates registered under the Skills Immigration system. Selection focused on individuals meeting specific economic criteria tied to employment and human capital factors.
A total of 252 invitations were allocated to candidates holding job offers classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 0 to 3, with wages of at least $62 per hour, equivalent to approximately $125,000 annually.
The remaining 232 invitations were extended to candidates who met a minimum registration score threshold of 138 points within the BCPNP ranking system.
This distribution indicates a slightly higher share of invitations tied to employment compensation compared to recent draws, where registration scores accounted for a larger portion of selections.
Comparison with earlier 2026 draws
The April 22 draw is the third Skills Immigration round conducted by British Columbia in 2026. Earlier draws in February show variations in both invitation numbers and selection thresholds.
On February 4, the province invited 429 candidates, including 206 individuals selected based on job offers with wages starting at $70 per hour. Another 223 candidates were invited with minimum scores of 138.
A second draw on February 11 issued 460 invitations. Of these, 195 were tied to job offers with wages of at least $62 per hour, while 265 were selected based on a lower minimum score of 135.
Across these rounds, the province has maintained two primary selection pathways: wage-based invitations and score-based invitations, with thresholds adjusted between draws.
Overview of the Skills Immigration selection system
The Skills Immigration stream is a key component of the BCPNP, designed to select foreign nationals for provincial nomination based on their potential to contribute to the labour market.
Candidates must first submit a registration and are assigned a score based on factors such as work experience, education, language ability, and job offer characteristics. The maximum possible score is 200 points.
Registered profiles remain active in the selection pool for up to 12 months. Invitations are periodically issued to the highest-ranking candidates or those meeting targeted criteria.
Following an invitation, candidates can apply for a provincial nomination. Approved nominees may then proceed to submit a permanent residence application to the federal government.
Factors influencing candidate selection
While recent draws have prioritized wage levels and registration scores, the province has indicated that additional factors may be used in future selections.
These include educational background, professional credentials obtained in British Columbia, language proficiency, and occupational demand within the province.
Other considerations may involve work experience duration, alignment with regional economic priorities, and intent to reside in specific areas of British Columbia.
Current state of the candidate pool
As of March 31, 2026, the BCPNP reported 11,202 active registrations across all score ranges in the Skills Immigration pool.
The largest share of candidates fell within the 100 to 109 score range, followed by those scoring between 90 and 99. Higher score brackets, such as 140 and above, represented a smaller portion of the pool.
This distribution reflects a broad range of candidate competitiveness, with relatively few applicants in the highest scoring tiers.
Overall invitation trends in 2026
By late April, British Columbia had conducted nine draws across Skills Immigration and Entrepreneur Immigration categories.
Although entrepreneur-focused draws have been more frequent, most invitations issued in 2026 have gone to skilled workers. Of at least 1,414 total invitations, approximately 1,373 were allocated to Skills Immigration candidates.
This trend underscores the continued role of skilled labour selection within the province’s immigration strategy.
Recent program changes
On April 23, British Columbia announced significant updates to its provincial nominee program. These changes include the closure of the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream within the Skills Immigration category.
The province also confirmed that previously planned international student streams will not proceed. At the same time, selection priorities are shifting toward sectors such as healthcare and skilled trades.
These adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to align immigration intake with labour market demands and economic priorities.
Context within Canada’s provincial programs
Provincial nominee programs remain an important pathway for economic immigration across Canada, allowing provinces to target candidates based on regional workforce needs.
Selection systems and criteria vary by province. For example, Manitoba operates its own scoring framework for candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, which can be explored through tools such as the Manitoba PNP points calculator.
British Columbia’s approach continues to emphasize wage thresholds, occupational demand, and human capital characteristics in its invitation rounds.
Further updates on provincial immigration draws and program changes are expected as provinces continue to adjust their selection systems in 2026.