BC PNP Introduces New Transparency Measures: Updated Data Shows Candidate Competitiveness for ITAs
British Columbia has released a new set of detailed statistics offering unprecedented visibility into the competitiveness of candidates in its Skills Immigration pool. For the first time, applicants can clearly gauge how their scores compare with the wider registration pool, helping them understand their likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).
These updates arrive as the province reshapes its selection strategy following a significant reduction to its federal nomination allocation for 2025. Instead of stream-specific draws, British Columbia has shifted toward broader, high-impact selection rounds across multiple immigration categories.
New Candidate Score Distribution Reveals Pool Composition
BC PNP has published a complete breakdown of candidate registrations based on their Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) scores. As of November 2, a total of 10,733 candidates were active in the pool.
The data shows:
- The highest concentration of candidates falls between 100 and 109 points, accounting for more than 19 percent of the entire pool.
- Only 0.26 percent of candidates scored 150 or higher.
- Approximately 66 percent of all candidates scored below 110 points.
The detailed score distribution provides a clearer sense of how competitive each applicant is within the provincial pool.
Understanding Your Rank: Percentile Analysis Introduced
The province also released percentile rankings, allowing candidates to determine how their score compares with the rest of the pool.
For example:
- A candidate scoring between 140–149 points is in the 98.73 to 99.74 percentile, meaning they outperform nearly the entire pool.
- Candidates scoring 100–109 points, the largest group, fall within the 48.07 to 67.26 percentile range.
- Individuals scoring below 60 points sit at the lowest end of the percentile curve.
This level of transparency helps candidates understand how many applicants have similar or higher scores—and assess whether they remain competitive under current selection patterns.
Shift in BC PNP Selection Strategy
In previous years, BC PNP held frequent stream-specific draws targeting the Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry-Level, and Semi-Skilled categories.
However, due to a reduced nomination allocation from the federal government in early 2025, the province began relying on:
- General draws across multiple streams, prioritizing high economic contribution
- Selections based on salary thresholds
- Occupational prioritization, particularly in NOC TEER 0–3 roles
For example, in a recent draw held on October 2, BC PNP invited candidates who met:
- A minimum score of 140 points, or
- A minimum wage of $90 per hour combined with a qualifying job offer in a TEER 0–3 role
These changes reflect the province’s aim to maximize economic impact despite lower nomination numbers.
Additional 2025 Nomination Spaces Announced
BC received 1,254 additional nominations for 2025 after its allocation was cut earlier in the year. These are being used to:
- Clear backlogged applications
- Issue new invitations across skilled immigration categories
- Stabilize processing volumes ahead of 2026
The Immigration Levels Plan indicates that provincial nomination allocations across Canada—including BC—are expected to grow again in 2026, potentially leading to more ITAs and more frequent draws next year.
