British Columbia Invites 714 Workers Through Its Latest BC PNP Selection Round
British Columbia has issued 714 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in its latest high-economic-impact selection round, creating another opportunity for eligible workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted the selection on September 24, 2026. The draw focused on candidates who could contribute to the province’s economy through qualifying employment, higher wages, or strong registration scores.
A total of 426 candidates were invited through the wage and job-offer criterion. These candidates had a job offer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations, with a wage of at least $52 per hour and $105,000 per year.
Another 288 candidates received invitations based on their BC PNP registration scores. These candidates needed a minimum score of 131 points.
For workers in Courtenay and other communities across British Columbia, the latest selection shows why keeping an immigration profile current and accurately documenting employment, wages, qualifications, language ability, and other eligibility factors can matter when the province conducts targeted selections.
What Happened in the September 24 BC PNP Draw?
The September 24 selection was part of the BC PNP’s “Innovate: High Economic Impact” category.
The province selected candidates through two criteria:
| Selection criterion | Requirement | Invitations |
| Wage and job offer | NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job offer with at least $52/hour and $105,000/year | 426 |
| Registration score | Minimum score of 131 points | 288 |
| Total | 714 |
The Program describes these selections as targeting candidates who can create a high economic impact in British Columbia. The province also states that future selections may use different factors depending on labour-market requirements and program priorities.
The September 24 draw was the eighth high-economic-impact selection conducted under the province’s Innovate objective during 2026.
Unlike some of this Program draws that identify particular occupations, the September 24 selection did not publish a specific list of occupations or sectors represented by the invited candidates. Instead, eligibility was connected to the selection criteria announced for the draw.
Why the $105,000 Salary Threshold Matters
One group of candidates invited on September 24 had to meet a significant wage requirement.
To qualify under the wage and job-offer criterion, candidates needed a qualifying job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, along with a wage of at least $52 per hour and $105,000 per year. A total of 426 invitations were issued under this criterion.
The wage requirement demonstrates that this Program can use employment conditions as a selection factor when conducting high-economic-impact invitations.
However, having a job with a particular salary does not automatically result in an invitation. Candidates must meet the applicable BC PNP requirements and have a registration that qualifies for the selection round.
For someone working in Courtenay, this means employment information should be entered accurately when creating or updating a BC PNP registration. Details such as occupation, wage, employer information, work history, education, language ability, and other factors may affect eligibility or registration scoring, depending on the applicable stream and selection criteria.
288 Candidates Were Selected Through Registration Scores
The second group consisted of 288 candidates who had registration scores of at least 131 points.
This Program uses an expression-of-interest system for Skills Immigration. Candidates provide information through their registration, receive a score, and enter the applicable registration pool. The province then conducts selections according to its current program priorities and criteria.
A score of 131 was the minimum published threshold for the registration-score group in the September 24 draw.
This does not mean that 131 points will remain the threshold for future selections. Previous BC PNP high-economic-impact draws have used different thresholds and wage requirements.
For example, the province’s published records indicate that earlier 2026 Innovate selections used varying wage levels and registration-score thresholds. This demonstrates that candidates should not assume that a past cutoff will remain unchanged in a later draw.
What Happens After Receiving a BC PNP Invitation?
Receiving an invitation to apply is an important step, but it is not the same as receiving a provincial nomination.
Candidates invited under Skills Immigration generally have up to 30 calendar days from the date of the invitation to submit a complete BC PNP application through the online portal. The province states that an invitation expires if the applicant does not submit the application within that period.
The application must demonstrate that the candidate meets the requirements of the applicable stream and selection criteria.
Applicants also need to provide the required documentation and pay the applicable application fee. The Program assesses the application under the legislation, regulations, and program requirements in force when the application is submitted.
If the province approves the application and issues a nomination, the candidate can then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
Provincial nomination therefore forms one part of the immigration process. A nomination does not by itself grant Canadian permanent residence.
Work Permit Considerations for Provincial Nominees
Some provincial nominees who are already in Canada may also have work-permit considerations while their permanent residence application is being processed.
A temporary federal measure introduced in June 2026 changed access to bridging open work permits for certain provincial nominees applying through a base PNP stream. Under the measure, eligible applicants can apply for a bridging open work permit without first waiting for an acknowledgement of receipt for their permanent residence application.
Eligibility depends on the federal requirements that apply to the applicant’s circumstances and nomination.
Because work authorization rules can change, applicants should check the current federal requirements before relying on a particular work-permit option.
British Columbia’s High-Economic-Impact Immigration Focus
The program updated its priorities in 2026 around three broad objectives: Care, Build, and Innovate.
The Innovate objective focuses on attracting workers and entrepreneurs who can contribute to economic growth across British Columbia. The province has stated that high-economic-impact invitations may target candidates from different sectors rather than being restricted to one occupation.
The September 24 selection falls within this Innovate objective.
The province does not state that all future high-economic-impact selections will use the same requirements. Instead, future invitations may consider several factors depending on the needs of British Columbia.
These factors can include:
- Education level and field of study
- Where education was completed
- Professional designation in British Columbia
- Length and skill level of work experience
- Language proficiency
- Occupation
- Wage and skill level connected to a job offer
- Intention to live and work in a particular region
- Strategic priorities connected to labour-market requirements, projects, or provincial initiatives
This policy means that the criteria used in one draw should not automatically be treated as the requirements for another draw.
BC PNP Issued Thousands of Invitations in 2026
The September 24 selection forms part of a larger pattern of provincial immigration activity during 2026.
British Columbia received an additional 1,000 nominations from the federal government in August, bringing its 2026 nomination allocation to 6,254. The province stated that it planned to use its full allocation by December 31, 2026.
The number of invitations issued through the program is not the same as the number of nominations available. An invitation allows a candidate to submit a provincial application, while a nomination is issued only after the application is assessed and approved.
The distinction is important for applicants following BC PNP draw announcements.
A candidate may receive an invitation but still need to prove that they meet all applicable requirements before receiving a nomination.
The Skills Immigration Registration Pool
Candidates seeking selection through Skills Immigration generally begin by submitting an expression of interest through this program registration system.
The registration provides information that the province uses to calculate the candidate’s score and place them in the applicable registration pool. The registration can remain active for up to 12 months or until the candidate receives an invitation to apply.
As of September 1, 2026, the Skills Immigration registration pool contained 8,013 registrations.
The published distribution was:
| Registration score | Number of registrations |
| 0–59 | 212 |
| 60–69 | 376 |
| 70–79 | 750 |
| 80–89 | 1,236 |
| 90–99 | 1,444 |
| 100–109 | 1,559 |
| 110–119 | 1,273 |
| 120–129 | 940 |
| 130–139 | 193 |
| 140–149 | 22 |
| 150+ | 8 |
| Total | 8,013 |
The figures show that candidates were distributed across a wide range of registration scores. Only 193 registrations were in the 130–139 range, while 22 were between 140 and 149, and eight had scores of 150 or more.
It is important to remember that the number of people in a particular score range does not predict whether a future draw will use the same cutoff.
What Does This Data Mean for Workers in Courtenay?
For foreign nationals living in Courtenay or planning to establish themselves on Vancouver Island, this program can be one immigration pathway to examine when provincial nomination is relevant to their circumstances.
The program is intended for workers who have the qualifications and employment circumstances required by applicable BC PNP streams. The province states that Skills Immigration provides pathways for workers whose experience, education, and qualifications align with British Columbia’s workforce needs.
Candidates should therefore look beyond the salary figure from a single draw.
Factors such as occupation, education, language proficiency, work history, job offer details, and registration score can all be relevant depending on the applicable selection criteria.
Applicants should also keep in mind that provincial immigration programs can change. British Columbia has already made several program changes during 2026 as it adjusts its priorities and works within its nomination allocation.
Why Accurate Documentation Matters
An immigration application depends heavily on accurate information and supporting documents.
Candidates should make sure that information in their registration matches their supporting records. Employment letters, wage information, education documents, language test results, professional credentials, and work-history records may become important during application processing.
An applicant who receives an invitation must also pay attention to the submission deadline.
This program states that invited Skills Immigration candidates have 30 calendar days to submit a complete application. Missing the deadline can cause the invitation to expire.
Applicants should therefore review their documents before registering where possible and keep records updated when circumstances change.
Could Future BC PNP Draws Use Different Criteria?
Yes. The September 24 draw should not be treated as a permanent template for all future selections.
British Columbia has explicitly stated that future high-economic-impact invitations may use one or more different selection factors.
These may include education, professional designation, work history, language ability, occupation, wage, regional settlement intentions, and strategic provincial priorities.
This approach gives the province flexibility to respond to labour-market and economic conditions.
For candidates, it also means that monitoring official BC PNP announcements is important. Requirements and selection thresholds can change between invitation rounds.
What Should Candidates Do After an Invitation?
An invited candidate should first confirm the exact stream and selection criteria attached to the invitation.
The next step is to review the application requirements and prepare the necessary documentation. Candidates should ensure that the information in their application supports the information submitted during registration.
This program provides program guides and application instructions for workers through its official documentation.
Applicants should also check whether any changes to their employment, wage, occupation, immigration status, or personal circumstances affect their application.
After a provincial nomination is approved, the candidate can proceed with the federal permanent residence application according to the applicable federal process.
Immigration Support for Workers in Courtenay, BC
The September 24, 2026 This program draw highlights the importance of keeping track of provincial selection criteria. With 714 invitations issued through the Innovate: High Economic Impact category, workers with qualifying employment and competitive registration profiles received an opportunity to move forward in the provincial nomination process.
For workers in Courtenay, immigration planning may involve reviewing eligibility, assessing employment details, preparing supporting documents, checking registration information, and following provincial and federal application requirements.
Dhanda Immigration Consultancy can assist clients in Courtenay, BC, with reviewing their immigration circumstances and identifying applicable Canadian immigration pathways. Applicants can contact the consultancy to discuss their situation, documentation, and next steps before submitting an immigration application.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many candidates did British Columbia invite on September 24, 2026?
This program issued 714 invitations on September 24, 2026, under the Innovate: High Economic Impact category. Of these, 426 were issued based on wage and job-offer criteria, while 288 were issued to candidates with a minimum registration score of 131.
2. What salary was required for the September 24 BC PNP draw?
Candidates selected through the wage and job-offer criterion needed a job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 with a wage of at least $52 per hour and $105,000 per year.
3. How long do BC PNP invitees have to submit their application?
Invited Skills Immigration candidates generally have up to 30 calendar days from the invitation date to submit a complete application through this Program Online User Portal.
4. Does a BC PNP invitation mean that permanent residence has been approved?
No. An invitation allows a candidate to submit an application for provincial nomination. The candidate must still meet the applicable requirements and receive a nomination. After receiving a nomination, they can apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
5. Can BC PNP selection criteria change in future draws?
Yes. British Columbia states that future high-economic-impact selections may consider different factors, including education, work history, language proficiency, occupation, wages, regional intentions, and strategic provincial priorities.
Connect With Dhanda Immigration Consultancy
If you are living in Courtenay, BC, or planning to pursue Canadian permanent residence through a provincial nomination pathway, Dhanda Immigration Consultancy can help you review your immigration situation, application requirements, and available options. Contact Dhanda Immigration Consultancy to discuss your circumstances and prepare for the next stage of your Canadian immigration process.