B.C. Starts 2026 With Major Skills Immigration Draw

British Columbia opened its 2026 immigration year with a large Skills Immigration draw on February 4. The province invited 429 candidates to apply for provincial nomination through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. Officials focused on applicants who can make a strong economic contribution to the province through their work and earnings.

The draw marked the first Skills Immigration invitation round of the year and showed how competitive the system remains for hopeful newcomers.

Who received invitations

The province selected candidates under two main paths. One group included people with high-paying job offers in skilled roles. The other group qualified through a points-based ranking system.

In the high-wage job offer category, British Columbia sent out 206 invitations. These candidates held job offers in senior or technical roles and earned at least $70 an hour, or about $145,000 a year. The province viewed these positions as having a strong impact on the local economy.

The second group came from the score-based selection system. British Columbia invited 223 candidates who reached a minimum score of 138 points. These scores reflect factors such as work history, education, and job details.

What the province may look for next

Provincial officials said future draws may not follow the same formula. British Columbia plans to adjust its selections based on changing labour needs.

Future invitation rounds may consider education level, field of study, and where candidates completed their studies. Professional licences issued in the province may also matter. Language ability, type of occupation, and length of work experience could influence selection.

The province may also give weight to job wages, skill levels, and a candidate’s plan to settle in a specific region. Some draws may support pilot projects or target shortages in key industries.

Inside the Skills Immigration pool

British Columbia regularly shares details about the number of candidates waiting in its Skills Immigration system. As of January 6, 2026, the pool held 11,210 registered candidates.

Only nine people ranked above 150 points. Another 67 candidates fell in the 140 to 149 range. The largest group, 791 people, scored between 130 and 139 points. Thousands more held scores below that level, showing how crowded the pool has become.

The province noted that it has not updated the top score ranges since the February 4 draw.

Limited spaces, growing competition

British Columbia has 5,254 nomination spots for 2026. Some of these spaces will go to applicants placed on waiting lists from 2025, along with entrepreneur stream candidates.

With more than 11,000 people in the Skills Immigration pool, the gap between demand and available spaces remains wide. Many registered candidates may not receive an invitation this year, even with strong profiles.