On June 18, 2026, British Columbia issued 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through its BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) Skills Immigration stream under the High Economic Impact category. Invitations went to candidates earning at least $62/hour and $125,000 annually in NOC TEER 0–3 roles, and to candidates with a minimum registration score of 136 points.

What Happened in the June 18 BC PNP Draw?

British Columbia’s most recent Skills Immigration draw targeted candidates with the strongest economic profiles in the province’s registration pool. This was not a general invitation round, it was a precisely targeted selection aimed at high earners and highly ranked candidates who are poised to make a meaningful contribution to BC’s economy.

The province extended invitations to two distinct groups. The first group, 130 candidates held full-time employment with a BC employer in occupations classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, and earned a minimum wage of $62 per hour, equivalent to at least $125,000 per year. The second group, 149 candidates achieved a minimum score of 136 points in BC’s Skills Immigration Registration System, known as SIRS.

Combined, 279 skilled workers received an invitation to apply for provincial nomination in this single round. This brings British Columbia’s total BCPNP invitations for 2026 to 2,848 candidates so far.

Draw Date	ITA Type	Selection Criteria	Min Score	Invitations
June 18, 2026	Innovate: High Economic Impact	Min wage $62/hr & $125,000/yr, NOC TEER 0/1/2/3	N/A	130
June 18, 2026	Innovate: High Economic Impact	Points-Based	136	149

Why is British Columbia Focusing on High Economic Impact Candidates?

British Columbia made a decisive shift in its immigration priorities in April 2026, when the province overhauled the BCPNP’s structure. Several pathways were discontinued including the graduate streams, most technology-targeted draws, and the Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled stream as the province refocused its limited nomination allocation on candidates who deliver immediate and measurable economic value.

BC’s 2026 nomination allocation stands at 5,254 spaces, significantly below the 9,000 spaces the province had requested from the federal government. Working within that constraint, BC has chosen to maximize economic return per nomination. High earners in senior roles contribute more to the provincial tax base, fill critical skill gaps in key industries, and are more likely to remain long-term contributors to BC’s economy.

The June 18 draw reflects this strategy clearly. Targeting candidates earning above $62/hour ensures the province is selecting experienced professionals not entry-level workers who can step directly into high-impact roles with BC employers already waiting to retain them permanently.

What is the BCPNP Innovate Stream?

The Innovate pathway under BC’s Skills Immigration program is the vehicle for High Economic Impact draws. Unlike occupation-specific targeted draws, Innovate is sector-agnostic. It does not matter whether a candidate works in technology, engineering, healthcare management, or financial services — what matters is that their wage and skill level meet the threshold, or that their SIRS score reflects a strongly competitive profile.

For the wage-based pathway, the core requirement is a full-time job offer from a BC employer in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation at or above $62 per hour and $125,000 per year. For the points-based pathway, candidates need a minimum SIRS score in this round, 136 points.

One important note: BC recently revised its wage thresholds. Earlier in 2026, the minimum wage requirement was as high as $70/hour or even $105/hour for some draws. The drop to $62/hour in the June draw signals an expansion of the eligible pool, good news for skilled workers whose compensation sits in the $62–$70 range.

What Professions Are Most Likely to Qualify?

Any occupation classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 is eligible for the wage-based pathway, provided the salary meets the threshold. Practically speaking, the most commonly eligible professions include:

• Software engineers, systems architects, and senior IT professionals
• Engineering managers and project engineers across all sectors
• Healthcare professionals including physicians, nurse practitioners, and allied health leaders
• Senior business and financial managers
• Construction project managers and trades supervisors
• Academic and research professionals

It is worth noting that healthcare workers and construction tradespeople currently occupy a priority position in BC’s broader immigration strategy for 2026. Workers in these sectors who meet the wage threshold have a particularly strong case for applying.

A Closer Look: What Does 136 Points Mean for SIRS Candidates?

The BC PNP Skills Immigration Registration System assigns a score to every registered candidate based on education, language proficiency, work experience, wage level, the job offer’s connection to BC’s priority sectors, and regional location. Scores max out at 200 points.

A minimum score of 136 is a meaningful threshold. It reflects a candidate who brings a solid combination of credentials, relevant experience, and a qualifying job offer. If your SIRS score is below 136 today, it is worth understanding exactly which factors are pulling your score down and whether they can be improved.

Our Expert Analysis

SIRS scores fluctuate draw-to-draw based on the number of candidates in the pool and BC’s shifting priorities. A score of 136 that was not selected in March may be exactly what gets you invited in September. Staying registered and keeping your profile up to date is essential, many candidates miss invitations simply because their profile information has lapsed.

What Should You Do If You Did Not Receive an Invitation?

Not receiving an ITA in one draw does not close the door. BC’s Skills Immigration pool remains active and draws occur regularly throughout the year. The most effective steps for candidates who want to position themselves for a future invitation are:

• Review your SIRS score and understand exactly which factors are limiting it – wage level, language scores, education, or job offer classification.
• Confirm your NOC code is correctly categorized. Miscategorized job offers can disqualify otherwise strong candidates.
•  If possible, discuss a wage increase with your BC employer. The difference between $58/hour and $62/hour can mean the difference between being eligible for the wage-based pathway and not.
• Consider whether an Express Entry-aligned BC PNP pathway – the Express Entry BC stream, might offer a parallel route based on your federal CRS profile.

Not sure if you qualify for BC PNP? Book a Free Eligibility Assessment with ImmigCanada, Our team will review your SIRS score, job offer, and best pathway to nomination.

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