British Columbia has kicked its 2026 immigration program into high gear, issuing 474 invitations to apply (ITAs) for a provincial nomination over two consecutive draws held on February 10 and 11. The latest selections—121 entrepreneur invitations on the first day and 460 skills-immigration invitations on the second—signal that the province intends to use its expanded 2026 quota quickly, front-loading the year with large rounds that favour candidates able to deliver “high economic impact.”
Under the Entrepreneur Immigration Base stream, 13 applicants with personal net-worth of at least C$600,000 and an investment commitment of C$200,000 received invitations, while the Regional stream issued “fewer than five” invitations to founders willing to launch businesses in smaller communities. Analysts say the early Regional invitations are a positive sign for towns that struggled to attract applicants after pandemic-era travel restrictions were lifted.
The much-larger skills-immigration draw invited 195 high-wage workers—those offered at least C$62 per hour (about C$125,000 annually) in TEER 0-3 occupations—and a further 265 registrants with a Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) score of 135 or higher. Both the wage threshold and points cut-off have dropped slightly from the province’s previous “high-earner” criteria, suggesting that BC is fine-tuning its draw mechanics to widen the talent funnel without sacrificing economic impact.
![British Columbia invites 474 skilled and entrepreneur candidates in back-to-back PNP draws]()
Whether you’re an entrepreneur aiming for the Regional stream or a high-wage professional chasing a skills-immigration invitation, VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork. Their Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers step-by-step guidance, personalized document checklists and real-time updates on provincial program changes, helping applicants stay compliant and organized as they pursue BC PNP opportunities.
For employers, the message is clear: job offers that cross the C$125 k salary line or that score in the top 20 percent of the provincial pool stand an excellent chance of converting to ITAs. Multinational companies with Vancouver or Victoria offices are already reviewing compensation packages to ensure they meet the new wage floor when recruiting foreign talent.
Prospective candidates should act quickly. With only 10,988 profiles currently in the BC PNP pool—and fewer than 20 candidates scoring above 140—historically tight selection thresholds mean that well-prepared applications will rise to the top. Immigration advisers recommend completing language tests, credential assessments and employer paperwork now, as BC is expected to keep issuing frequent, targeted draws throughout the spring.
Under the Entrepreneur Immigration Base stream, 13 applicants with personal net-worth of at least C$600,000 and an investment commitment of C$200,000 received invitations, while the Regional stream issued “fewer than five” invitations to founders willing to launch businesses in smaller communities. Analysts say the early Regional invitations are a positive sign for towns that struggled to attract applicants after pandemic-era travel restrictions were lifted.
The much-larger skills-immigration draw invited 195 high-wage workers—those offered at least C$62 per hour (about C$125,000 annually) in TEER 0-3 occupations—and a further 265 registrants with a Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) score of 135 or higher. Both the wage threshold and points cut-off have dropped slightly from the province’s previous “high-earner” criteria, suggesting that BC is fine-tuning its draw mechanics to widen the talent funnel without sacrificing economic impact.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur aiming for the Regional stream or a high-wage professional chasing a skills-immigration invitation, VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork. Their Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers step-by-step guidance, personalized document checklists and real-time updates on provincial program changes, helping applicants stay compliant and organized as they pursue BC PNP opportunities.
For employers, the message is clear: job offers that cross the C$125 k salary line or that score in the top 20 percent of the provincial pool stand an excellent chance of converting to ITAs. Multinational companies with Vancouver or Victoria offices are already reviewing compensation packages to ensure they meet the new wage floor when recruiting foreign talent.
Prospective candidates should act quickly. With only 10,988 profiles currently in the BC PNP pool—and fewer than 20 candidates scoring above 140—historically tight selection thresholds mean that well-prepared applications will rise to the top. Immigration advisers recommend completing language tests, credential assessments and employer paperwork now, as BC is expected to keep issuing frequent, targeted draws throughout the spring.
