British Columbia Resumes Skills Immigration Draw After Extended Pause
Province issues hundreds of invitations targeting high economic contributors
British Columbia has restarted its Skills Immigration selection rounds after a pause of more than two months. On December 10, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted a new draw aimed at candidates considered capable of delivering strong economic value to the province.
This marks the first Skills Immigration draw since early October and only the third such draw held by British Columbia in 2025. The province has been moving cautiously this year, focusing on applicants who meet high labour market and wage-based thresholds.
Overview of the December 10 BC PNP Draw
In the December 10 invitation round, British Columbia issued a total of 410 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under its Skills Immigration category.
Candidates were selected based on one of two criteria:
- Strong performance in the province’s points-based ranking system; or
- Holding a high-paying job offer that demonstrates exceptional economic impact.
The majority of invitations were granted to candidates already ranking highly in the BC PNP pool.
Breakdown of Invitations Issued
The invitations were distributed across two selection pathways:
High-Wage, High-Skilled Job Offers
- 96 invitations issued
- Minimum wage requirement: $87 per hour, equivalent to $170,000 annually
- Job offer required in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Points-Based Selection
- 314 invitations issued
- Minimum score required: 138 points
British Columbia emphasized that only registrations submitted before the draw date were considered, and that future invitation rounds may apply different economic or strategic criteria.
Size and Composition of the BC PNP Candidate Pool
As of December 2, the BC PNP Skills Immigration pool included 11,083 registered candidates. Data released by the province shows that approximately half of all candidates scored 100 points or less, highlighting the competitiveness of recent draws.
Only a small fraction of candidates currently hold scores above 140, placing them in the top percentile of the pool.
How British Columbia Defines “High Economic Impact”
Under its Skills Immigration system, British Columbia has the authority to prioritize candidates most aligned with provincial economic and labour needs. Selection factors may include:
- Education and professional qualifications
- Language proficiency
- Occupation and industry relevance
- Work experience
- Wage level and skill category of job offer
- Intent to live and work in specific regions of the province
- Alignment with government priorities, such as sectoral or regional growth
The BC PNP has also clarified that selection methods and priorities may change at any time, without advance notice, depending on economic conditions and policy direction.
What This Means for Applicants
The resumption of Skills Immigration draws signals continued opportunity for candidates with strong profiles, particularly those with high-paying job offers or competitive point totals. However, the limited number of draws in 2025 suggests that British Columbia remains selective, prioritizing quality and economic contribution over volume.
Candidates are encouraged to closely monitor score trends, wage thresholds, and provincial priorities when planning their immigration strategy.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
