BCPNP Invites 714 High-Earning Candidates for Provincial Nomination

BCPNP invites 714 high‑earning candidates on Sept 24 — in‑depth look at the provincial nomination draw, thresholds and practical impact

Major update and why it matters
On September 24, 2026, British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) held its 25th selection round of the year and issued 714 invitations to apply for provincial nomination for permanent residence. The draw targeted high‑earning and high‑score registrants: 426 invitations went to skilled workers with job offers of at least CDN$105,000 per year (equivalent to CDN$52/hour for TEER 0–3 jobs), and 288 invitations went to candidates with registration scores of 131 points or higher. Invited candidates have 30 days to submit a complete nomination application. The round underscores B.C.’s focus on candidates who can deliver immediate economic impact through high wages or competitive profiles.

Where this draw sits in B.C.’s 2026 plan
This was B.C.’s 25th draw in 2026 and the eighth aligned with the “innovate” objective. Of the innovate‑aligned rounds this year, the Sept. 24 draw issued the most invitations so far. Through 2026 the BCPNP has issued at least 6,128 invitations across all worker and entrepreneur streams; specifically, 3,974 invitations this year were based on wage/salary + job offer and registration score. B.C.’s 2026 allocation of nomination spaces stands at 6,254.

How candidates were selected in this round
Two main paths produced invitations:
– Wage/salary + job offer (TEER 0–3): offered wage of at least CDN$52/hour and CDN$105,000/year — 426 invitations.
– Registration score: minimum 131 points — 288 invitations.
The round was labeled under the “innovate” objective, and B.C. does not publish the specific occupations or sectors for innovate invitations.

Skills Immigration (SI) and the registration pool
To be considered under Skills Immigration, foreign nationals must register an EOI profile with the BCPNP. Each profile gets a score and is placed into the relevant pool(s). B.C. runs periodic draws and invites the most competitive candidates who meet the round criteria.

As of September 1, the SI registration pool had 8,013 profiles. The largest bands were 100–109 (1,559), 90–99 (1,444), and 110–119 (1,273). There were 193 registrants with scores of 130–139, 22 with 140–149, and 8 with 150+. That score distribution helps explain why a 131‑point cut‑off yielded 288 invitations.

What the invitations and thresholds indicate about B.C.’s priorities
The focus on high wages and high scores shows B.C. is prioritizing applicants likely to have immediate economic effect. The CDN$105,000/year (or CDN$52/hour for TEER 0–3) wage floor targets senior professionals and high‑paid technical roles. The 131‑point score threshold lets the province select well‑rounded registrants under the SI scoring model. Labeling the round “innovate” signals a priority on candidates who can support innovation or sectoral growth, even though B.C. does not disclose specific occupations for these invitations.

Federal BOWP change and PNP nominees
A temporary federal measure effective June 9, 2026 lets nominees applying for PR through a base PNP stream apply for a bridging open work permit (BOWP) faster, without first receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) for their PR application. For nominees already in Canada, this can shorten the time to obtain bridging work authorization while their PR application is processed.

Who is most directly affected
– Invited registrants: 714 candidates must submit a complete nomination application within 30 days or forfeit the invitation.
– Skilled workers with high‑paying job offers: those with TEER 0–3 offers at or above the CDN$105,000 threshold were directly targeted.
– High‑score EOI registrants: candidates at or above 131 points had a clear pathway to invitation in this draw.
– Applicants in Canada: nominated candidates filing for PR may be able to apply for a BOWP earlier under the June 9, 2026 measure.
– Employers and recruiters: organizations hiring for senior or high‑paid TEER 0–3 roles should note the province’s wage‑focused selections.

Practical impact for applicants and employers
– Time sensitivity: invited candidates have 30 days to file a complete provincial nomination application. Prepare employment evidence, wage confirmations, and personal documents immediately after an invitation.
– Wage thresholds matter: employers and candidates should ensure offer letters and compensation meet the CDN$105,000/year (or CDN$52/hour) threshold where applicable.
– Registration score competitiveness: a 131‑point cut‑off shows low‑130s can be competitive; candidates should review profile elements that affect scoring (education, experience, language, job details).
– Bridge to work authorization: nominees in Canada may access a BOWP faster under the June 9, 2026 temporary federal measure.
– Capacity limits: with 6,254 nomination spaces for 2026 and at least 6,128 invitations issued so far, the province is close to its allocation—monitor remaining capacity and ongoing draws.

Numbers and dates to keep front of mind
– Date of draw: September 24, 2026 (25th selection round).
– Total invitations: 714 (426 via wage/salary + job offer; 288 via registration score ≥131).
– Wage threshold (TEER 0–3): minimum CDN$52/hour and CDN$105,000/year.
– Time to apply after invitation: 30 days to submit a complete nomination application.
– Temporary federal measure effective: June 9, 2026 — allows earlier BOWP applications for base PNP nominees without first receiving an AOR.
– BCPNP allocation for 2026: 6,254 nomination spaces.
– BCPNP invitations in 2026 (wage/salary + registration score): 3,974; total invitations across all streams in 2026: at least 6,128.
– SI registration pool (as of Sept. 1): 8,013 profiles, with score band breakdowns noted above.

Possible future selection factors
B.C. may use other factors for high‑economic‑impact invitations, including:
– Education (level, field, location)
– Provincial professional designation
– Length and skill level of work experience
– Language proficiency
– Occupation
– Wage and/or skill level of the job offer
– Intention to live and work in a specific region
– Strategic priorities tied to provincial labour market needs or projects

What applicants should pay attention to now
– If you received an invitation: submit a complete nomination application within 30 days and ensure job offer documentation and wage evidence meet the invitation’s criteria.
– If you have a job offer in B.C.: confirm your TEER level and wage meet thresholds used in recent draws; consider employer support to strengthen your SI profile.
– If you are a high‑score registrant: stay ready to act quickly if invited—documentation readiness is essential.
– If you expect to be nominated and are in Canada: review the June 9, 2026 federal measure on the BOWP.
– Employers: prepare clear, compliant job offers that document wage, hours, and duties; higher wages tied to TEER 0–3 roles have been favored in recent draws.

Final observations
The Sept. 24 BCPNP draw shows B.C.’s current approach: a mix of targeted wage‑based selections and selective score‑based rounds under the innovate objective. For high‑earning professionals and competitive SI registrants, there are concrete pathways to provincial nomination—but success requires speed, complete documentation, and alignment with the province’s selection criteria. With limited nomination spaces and many competitive registrants, readiness and attention to evolving selection factors remain essential.

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