British Columbia PNP issues record 714
British Columbia invited 714 candidates in its September 24, 2026 Provincial Nominee Program draw, the highest number under its 'innovate' objective this
British Columbia issued 714 invitations in its Provincial Nominee Program draw on September 24, 2026. This marks the highest number of invitations issued under the province's 'innovate' objective in 2026 and was the 25th selection round of the year.
The draw targeted skilled workers to support economic growth. Invitations were based on one of two criteria: a job offer in a TEER 0-3 occupation paying at least $105,000 annually, or a registration score of 131 points or higher. The breakdown of invited candidates is as follows:
| Invitation Criteria | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| Job offer (≥ $105,000/year) | 426 |
| Registration score (≥ 131 points) | 288 |
Eligibility criteria and candidate profile
This was the eighth 'innovate'-aligned draw of 2026. The objective targets skilled workers across various high-impact sectors. The province does not disclose the specific occupations of those invited. "British Columbia does not publish the occupations or sectors of candidates invited under this objective," the province said.
Application timeline and work permit access
Invited candidates have 30 days from September 24 to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination. Those already residing in Canada may benefit from a faster work permit process. Under a temporary federal measure effective June 9, 2026, provincial nominees can apply for a bridging open work permit months faster. They no longer need to wait for an Acknowledgement of Receipt for their permanent residence application.
Provincial nomination usage and allocation
The province continues to use its nomination allocation aggressively. "British Columbia’s 2026 allocation stands at 6,254 nomination spaces," officials stated. So far in 2026, the program has issued 3,974 invitations based specifically on wage and score criteria. Across all its streams, the BCPNP has invited no fewer than 6,128 candidates this year. This leaves room for further draws before the year ends.
Future invitations may be based on additional factors like education, professional designations, language proficiency, or regional labour market needs.
How to remain competitive for future draws
Foreign nationals must first register an Expression of Interest profile to be considered for the Skills Immigration category. Each profile is scored and ranked in provincial pools. As of September 1, 2026, the Skills Immigration registration pool contained 8,013 profiles. British Columbia conducts periodic draws from these pools, inviting candidates with the most competitive scores who meet specific round criteria.
Prospective applicants should ensure their profiles are updated and competitive. More information is available on the BCPNP website. Successful nominees must then apply to the federal government for permanent residence. Candidates have 30 days from September 24, 2026 to submit a complete application for provincial nomination.
