The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held a Skills Immigration draw on June 18, 2026, issuing 279 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under its Innovate: High Economic Impact stream. Invitations went out under two selection routes — wage-based and points-based — continuing BC’s 2026 focus on highly skilled, high-economic-impact talent across all sectors.
This was BC’s 13th selection round of 2026 and its 7th Skills Immigration draw of the year. The majority of June 18 invitations (about 53%) were issued on registration score rather than wage.
June 18, 2026 Draw Breakdown
| Selection route | Criteria & invitations |
| Wage-based | Minimum wage of $62/hour and $125,000/year, with a job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 — 130 invitations |
| Points-based | Minimum registration score of 136 — 149 invitations |
| Total | 279 invitations under Innovate: High Economic Impact |
Note: BC PNP does not publish its draw calendar in advance, and it did not release the occupations or sectors invited in this round. The Innovate stream targets “top talent in all sectors,” so there is no sector-specific cut-off to target.
What the Innovate: High Economic Impact Stream Is
Under BC’s 2026 “Look West” refocus (Care, Build, Innovate), the Innovate objective attracts top talent across all sectors via High Economic Impact ITAs. Candidates can qualify through either of two routes in a given draw:
- Wage/salary route: a qualifying high-wage job offer in a NOC TEER 0–3 occupation that meets the draw’s wage and salary floor.
- Registration-score route: a competitive Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) score at or above the draw’s minimum.
Technology workers are now selected here rather than through a standalone tech draw — BC’s final dedicated tech draw was in December 2024. Tech talent applies through Skills Immigration with a qualifying BC job offer and a competitive score.
Wage Threshold Trend in 2026 High Economic Impact Draws
| Draw date | Wage-based threshold | Points-based minimum |
| June 18, 2026 | $62/hr and $125,000/yr | 136 |
| April 22, 2026 | $62/hr and $125,000/yr | 138 |
| February 11, 2026 | Not separately listed here | — |
| February 4, 2026 | $70/hr and $145,000/yr | 138 |
Freshness flag: thresholds and selection factors vary draw to draw under section 7.3(a) of the Skills Immigration Program Guide. The wage floor eased from $70/$145K early in 2026 to $62/$125K, and the points minimum has hovered around 136–138. Confirm the current criteria on welcomebc.ca before relying on them.
What This Draw Means for Candidates
If You Were Invited
Log into your BC PNP Online profile to confirm your ITA, then prepare a complete application. Note the current BC PNP application fee and that BC PNP processing currently runs roughly 9–18 months depending on stream and complexity (verify current figures before relying on them).
If You Were Not Invited
- Raise your SIRS score: stronger language results, more relevant skilled work experience, or a higher-paying eligible job offer.
- Ensure your registration is accurate and complete — occupation classification and wage comparisons materially affect your score.
- Keep your profile active; BC draws roughly bi-weekly, so a fresh opportunity comes often.
How a BC Nomination Leads to PR
If nominated, you and your eligible family members can apply to IRCC for permanent residence. Where the nomination is Express Entry-aligned, it adds 600 CRS points; base nominations are processed outside Express Entry. For how those two paths differ, see our PNP eligibility criteria and Provincial Nomination Program pages. For BC’s separate rural health measure, see our BC PNP Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative guide.
What to Do Now
- Calculate your SIRS score accurately — occupation and wage classification involve judgment calls that change the result.
- Confirm your job offer meets NOC TEER 0–3 and current wage expectations if targeting the wage route.
- Keep your BC PNP registration current and complete.
- Get a professional score review from a licensed RCIC consultant before you register or update your profile.
How Earnest Immigration Can Help
Earnest Immigration and Citizenship Services is a CICC-regulated, RCIC-licensed consultancy with offices in Windsor, Ontario and Regina, Saskatchewan, and 130+ five-star ratings. Only RCIC-licensed consultants and immigration lawyers are legally authorized to represent you before IRCC and the BC PNP.
Our team calculates your SIRS score, identifies eligibility gaps, optimizes your registration for High Economic Impact draws, and manages your federal PR application after nomination. Explore our PNP services to build your British Columbia strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations did BC PNP issue on June 18, 2026?
279 invitations under the Innovate: High Economic Impact stream — 130 through the wage-based route and 149 through the points-based route (minimum score 136).
What was the wage threshold in the June 18 draw?
A minimum wage of $62/hour and $125,000/year, with a job offer in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. This eased from the $70/hour and $145,000/year floor used in early-2026 draws.
What is the Innovate: High Economic Impact stream?
It is BC’s mechanism under its 2026 Look West strategy to invite top talent across all sectors, by either a qualifying high-wage TEER 0–3 job offer or a competitive SIRS registration score. Technology workers are now selected here rather than through a separate tech draw.
Does BC PNP publish its draw schedule in advance?
No. Unlike PEI, BC does not publish draw dates ahead of time, and it did not release the occupations or sectors invited in the June 18 round.
I was not invited — how do I improve my chances?
Increase your SIRS score through better language results, additional relevant skilled experience, or a higher-paying eligible job offer, and keep your registration accurate and current. BC draws roughly every two weeks.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. BC PNP thresholds and selection factors change from draw to draw. Consult a CICC-regulated, RCIC-licensed immigration consultant or a licensed immigration lawyer for advice on your specific situation.
Sources: WelcomeBC / BC PNP Invitations to Apply and program news (welcomebc.ca); corroborating coverage of the June 18, 2026 High Economic Impact draw; BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide section 7.3(a). Confirm current thresholds and fees on welcomebc.ca before relying on them.
