BCPNP Issues New Invitations Under High Economic Impact ‘Innovate’ Initiative
British Columbia has conducted another provincial immigration draw under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), inviting skilled workers through its Skills Immigration (SI) category.
The latest draw, held on June 18, 2026, resulted in 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) being issued to eligible candidates. It marks the province’s 13th draw of 2026 and the seventh selection round targeting Skills Immigration candidates this year.
Notably, this was the smallest Skills Immigration draw conducted by British Columbia in 2026, reflecting the province’s increasingly targeted approach to selecting high-impact economic immigrants.
Quick Highlights
- British Columbia invited 279 candidates through the BCPNP.
- Draw held on June 18, 2026.
- Minimum registration score required: 136.
- Invitations issued under the province’s Innovate initiative.
- Candidates with high wages and strong economic impact were prioritized.
- This was BC’s smallest Skills Immigration draw of 2026.
- More than 2,700 SI invitations have been issued this year.
Draw Details
The June 18 selection round focused on candidates who met British Columbia’s high economic impact criteria.
Selection Results
| Selection Criteria | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wage/Salary + Job Offer | TEER 0–3 occupation with wage of at least $62/hour (approximately $125,000 annually) | N/A |
| Registration Score | Based on Skills Immigration registration ranking | 136 |
Most invitations issued in the draw were based on registration score, accounting for approximately 53.4% of all invitations.
British Columbia did not release details regarding the specific occupations or industries selected during this round.
What Is BC’s Innovate Initiative?
The draw was conducted under British Columbia’s Innovate Initiative, a targeted immigration strategy designed to attract highly skilled and economically impactful workers.
According to the province, the initiative focuses on:
“Top Talent Across All Sectors”
Rather than limiting invitations to specific occupations, the program allows BC to target candidates who can make significant contributions to the provincial economy.
The province may use a variety of selection factors when issuing future invitations.
Factors That Can Influence Selection
Future invitations under the Skills Immigration category may consider:
- Education level and field of study.
- Where education was completed.
- Professional designations obtained in British Columbia.
- Length and skill level of work experience.
- English or French language proficiency.
- Occupation and labour market demand.
- Wage level offered by an employer.
- Intended region of residence within BC.
- Provincial economic priorities and strategic initiatives.
This flexible approach allows the province to respond quickly to changing labour market needs.
Smallest Skills Immigration Draw of 2026
While 279 invitations represent a substantial opportunity for candidates, the draw was the smallest Skills Immigration round held so far this year.
For comparison:
Largest Skills Immigration Draw in 2026
| Date | Invitations Issued |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2026 | 484 |
The April 22 draw also targeted high economic impact candidates using similar selection criteria.
The reduction in invitation numbers may indicate that British Columbia is becoming increasingly selective as it manages provincial nomination allocations.
Total Skills Immigration Invitations in 2026
As of June 18, British Columbia has issued:
2,764 Invitations
through the Skills Immigration category during 2026.
The program remains one of Canada’s most active Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams, attracting skilled workers from across Canada and abroad.
Entrepreneur Immigration Draws Continue
In addition to skilled worker selections, British Columbia has also been actively inviting business candidates.
Entrepreneur Immigration Activity in 2026
- Six Entrepreneur Immigration draws conducted.
- At least 54 entrepreneurs invited.
These invitations support the province’s efforts to attract investment, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Nearly 10,000 Candidates Remain in the Registration Pool
The latest available BCPNP registration data, published on June 2, shows strong demand for provincial nomination opportunities.
Total Skills Immigration Registrations
9,902 Candidates
were actively registered in the Skills Immigration pool.
Score Distribution in the Skills Immigration Pool
The majority of candidates were clustered in the middle score ranges.
| Score Range | Registrations |
|---|---|
| 0–59 | 221 |
| 60–69 | 427 |
| 70–79 | 858 |
| 80–89 | 1,388 |
| 90–99 | 1,829 |
| 100–109 | 2,039 |
| 110–119 | 1,532 |
| 120–129 | 1,128 |
| 130–139 | 430 |
| 140–149 | 44 |
| 150+ | 6 |
The largest concentration of candidates falls within the:
100–109 Score Range
representing approximately 20.6% of all registrations.
Competition Remains High
The latest draw required a minimum score of:
136 Points
Only a relatively small number of candidates currently hold scores above that threshold.
Based on the June 2 pool data:
- Only 44 candidates had scores between 140–149.
- Just six candidates had scores of 150 or higher.
This demonstrates the highly competitive nature of British Columbia’s targeted immigration selections.
What This Means for Immigration Candidates
The latest BCPNP draw reinforces British Columbia’s focus on attracting highly skilled workers who can make strong economic contributions to the province.
Candidates seeking nomination should focus on improving factors such as:
- Language proficiency.
- Skilled work experience.
- Education credentials.
- Wage levels.
- Employer support.
With nearly 10,000 candidates competing for invitations, maintaining a competitive registration score remains essential for success.
Key Takeaways
- British Columbia invited 279 Skills Immigration candidates on June 18, 2026.
- The minimum registration score required was 136.
- The draw was conducted under the province’s Innovate initiative.
- This was the smallest Skills Immigration draw of 2026.
- BC has issued 2,764 Skills Immigration invitations this year.
- Nearly 10,000 candidates remain in the registration pool.
- Most candidates currently have scores between 100 and 109.
- Competition for provincial nomination remains strong.
When was the latest BC PNP draw held?
The latest British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) draw was held on June 18, 2026, under the Skills Immigration (SI) category.
2. How many invitations were issued in the June 18 BC PNP draw?
British Columbia issued 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible immigration candidates.
3. What was the minimum score required in the latest BC PNP draw?
Candidates selected based on registration score required a minimum score of 136 points.
4. What is the BC PNP Innovate Initiative?
The Innovate Initiative is British Columbia’s targeted immigration strategy designed to invite high economic impact candidates across various sectors based on labour market needs and economic priorities.
5. Did British Columbia target specific occupations in this draw?
No. The province did not publish any specific occupations, industries, or sectors targeted in the June 18, 2026 draw.
6. What wage requirement was used in the latest BC PNP selection?
Some invitations were issued to candidates with a TEER 0–3 job offer and an offered wage of at least $62 per hour, which is approximately $125,000 annually.
7. How many BC PNP Skills Immigration invitations have been issued in 2026?
As of June 18, 2026, British Columbia has issued 2,764 invitations through its Skills Immigration category.
8. How many candidates are currently in the BC PNP Skills Immigration pool?
According to the latest available data, there were 9,902 active registrations in the Skills Immigration registration pool as of June 2, 2026.
9. Which score range has the most candidates in the BC PNP pool?
The largest group of candidates falls within the 100–109 score range, with 2,039 registrations, representing approximately 20.6% of the pool.
10. Was this the largest BC PNP draw of 2026?
No. The June 18 draw was actually the smallest Skills Immigration draw of 2026. The largest draw took place on April 22, 2026, when 484 invitations were issued.
11. What factors can improve a BC PNP Skills Immigration score?
Candidates may improve their score through:
- Higher language test results.
- More skilled work experience.
- Advanced education credentials.
- Higher wage job offers.
- Professional certifications.
- Strong ties to British Columbia.
- Employment in high-demand occupations.
12. Does a BC PNP nomination lead to permanent residence?
Yes. Successful candidates who receive a provincial nomination can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence.
13. Does British Columbia also invite entrepreneurs?
Yes. In addition to skilled workers, British Columbia has conducted six Entrepreneur Immigration draws in 2026, inviting at least 54 entrepreneurs.
14. Is BC PNP becoming more competitive in 2026?
Yes. With nearly 10,000 candidates in the registration pool and higher score requirements in recent draws, competition for invitations remains strong.
15. How often does British Columbia conduct PNP draws?
BC PNP draws are conducted regularly throughout the year, although invitation numbers, scores, and selection criteria can vary depending on labour market needs and provincial priorities.
Source : CIC News
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