PNP
British Columbia PNP Invites 772 Candidates in Major October Draw
British Columbia has issued 772 invitations to apply through the BC Provincial Nominee Program in a major selection round held on October 29, 2026. The draw took place under the High Economic Impact pathway and targeted skilled candidates whose employment and registration profiles aligned with the province’s economic priorities.
The selection was divided into two groups. One group was selected using wage and occupation requirements, while the second was selected using a minimum registration score. The results provide a useful indication of the kind of candidates British Columbia is prioritising through this pathway, but an invitation is only an opportunity to submit an application. It is not a provincial nomination or a grant of permanent residence.
How the October 29 British Columbia PNP Draw Was Structured
The province issued 524 invitations to candidates working in National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 positions. To fall within this selection group, candidates needed to earn at least $49 per hour and $99,000 per year and hold full-time employment with a supporting employer in British Columbia.
A further 248 candidates were invited based on a minimum score of 131 points. The supplied draw information does not provide a separate occupation or wage threshold for this score-based group. Candidates should therefore avoid assuming that the wage criteria for the first group automatically applied to the second group.
The two selection methods show that the province can use more than one measure to identify candidates with the potential to contribute to its economy. Wage level, occupation, employment arrangements and a candidate’s registration score can all matter, depending on the specific draw criteria.
October 29, 2026 BC PNP Results
Selection group: High Economic Impact, wage-based. Invitations: 524. Criteria: NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3; at least $49 per hour and $99,000 annually; full-time work with a supporting BC employer.
Selection group: High Economic Impact, points-based. Invitations: 248. Minimum score: 131 points.
Total invitations issued: 772.
Why Wage and Occupation Criteria Matter
The wage-based selection group places emphasis on both the skill level of the occupation and the compensation attached to the job. TEER categories 0 through 3 cover a range of management, professional, technical and skilled occupations. The wage thresholds provide an additional filter, while the requirement for full-time employment with a supporting BC employer connects the candidate’s profile to an established job in the province.
For candidates, this means that having a job in a qualifying TEER category may not be enough by itself. The stated wage and annual earnings thresholds also matter for the wage-based group. Applicants should review the actual terms of their employment, including hourly pay, annual salary, hours and employer support, before concluding that they meet the criteria.
A candidate who earns $49 per hour but works fewer hours may not necessarily meet the annual earnings requirement. Similarly, a job title alone does not establish the correct NOC or TEER classification. Duties and responsibilities are central to occupational classification, and candidates should ensure their work experience is accurately described.
What Does a Minimum Score of 131 Mean?
The second group was selected using a minimum score of 131 points. BC PNP registration scores are based on the information candidates provide under the programme’s scoring framework. A minimum score in one draw is not a permanent threshold and should not be treated as a guaranteed invitation score for a future round.
The number can change from draw to draw depending on the province’s priorities, the size and composition of the registration pool and the number of invitations available. Candidates with scores below 131 should not automatically conclude that they have no prospect of selection. Equally, a score of 131 or higher does not guarantee selection in a later draw.
British Columbia’s Invitation Activity in 2026
With the October 29 round, British Columbia had invited up to 7,264 candidates under the BC PNP in 2026, according to the figures supplied for this report. The cumulative total reflects the province’s selection activity during the year. It should not be interpreted as the number of people who have already received nominations or become permanent residents.
The distinction matters because provincial nomination is a separate stage. After receiving an invitation, a candidate must submit a complete application within the stated deadline and provide evidence supporting the registration information. The province then assesses the application against the programme requirements. Only a successful assessment can lead to a nomination, after which the candidate must complete the relevant federal permanent residence process.
What Invited Candidates Should Do
Candidates who received an invitation should log in to their BC PNP Online User Profile and review the invitation details, deadline and document checklist. They should ensure that employment letters, pay records, job duties, education credentials and other supporting documents are consistent with the information in their registration. Any material change should be handled according to programme instructions.
Candidates who were not invited should keep their registration accurate and current. Changes to employment, wage, education, language results or other factors may affect the information in the profile. They should not inflate a wage figure, select an inaccurate NOC code or rely on an assumed score. An incorrect registration can create problems at the application stage.
The Bottom Line
The October 29 BC PNP draw delivered 772 invitations under the High Economic Impact pathway, including 524 wage-based selections and 248 score-based selections at 131 points. The results highlight British Columbia’s focus on candidates with strong economic potential and a connection to the provincial labour market. For applicants, the most important next step is to check the exact criteria and remember that an invitation is the beginning of an assessment, not the final immigration decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many invitations did BC issue on October 29, 2026?
British Columbia issued 772 invitations to apply under the High Economic Impact pathway. The draw included 524 wage-based invitations and 248 invitations issued to candidates with a minimum registration score of 131 points.
What were the wage requirements in the BC PNP draw?
For the wage-based group, candidates needed to work in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, earn at least $49 per hour and $99,000 per year, and have full-time employment with a supporting employer in British Columbia.
Did all 772 candidates need a score of 131?
The supplied results identify 248 invitations for candidates with a minimum score of 131. The other 524 invitations were issued under the wage and occupation criteria. The information provided does not state that all invitees needed the same score.
Does a BC PNP invitation mean the candidate has been nominated?
No. An invitation to apply allows a candidate to submit a provincial application. BC must assess the application and supporting documents before deciding whether to issue a nomination. A nomination is also separate from federal permanent residence approval.
How many candidates has BC invited through the BC PNP in 2026?
The supplied information states that British Columbia had invited up to 7,264 candidates under the BC PNP in 2026 by this round. This is an invitation figure, not a count of nominations or permanent residence approvals.
