Quick Summary
British Columbia conducted its latest Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw on April 14, 2026 , issuing 14 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Entrepreneur Immigration Base stream.
- 01Quick Summary
- 02On This Page
- 03Entrepreneur Immigration Draws in 2026
- 04Skills Immigration: High-Wage and High-Points Draws
- 05BC PNP Skills Immigration Registration Pool (as of March 3, 2026)
- 06Application Fees and Provincial Allocation
- 07How the BC PNP Works
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Official Sources
- 10Bottom Line
| Draw Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of draw | April 14, 2026 |
| Stream | Entrepreneur Immigration – Base |
| Number of invitations | 14 |
| Minimum score | 115 points |
The draw targeted experienced business leaders and investors capable of driving economic growth and creating jobs in B.C.
Key takeaway:Â The BC PNP is continuing its strategy of targeted, high-value invitations. In 2026, the province has shifted its Skills Immigration focus to high-wage earners and high-points candidates, while maintaining regular Entrepreneur draws for business immigrants.
On This Page
- Entrepreneur Immigration Draws in 2026
- Skills Immigration: High-Wage and High-Points Draws
- BC PNP Skills Immigration Registration Pool (as of March 3, 2026)
- Application Fees and Provincial Allocation
- How the BC PNP Works
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Official Sources
Entrepreneur Immigration Draws in 2026
The BC PNP has held four Entrepreneur Immigration draws so far in 2026. The most recent draw on April 14 issued 14 invitations to Base stream candidates with a minimum score of 115.
| Date | Stream | Minimum Score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 14, 2026 | Base | 115 | 14 |
| March 10, 2026 | Base | 117 | 7 |
| March 10, 2026 | Regional | 129 | <5 |
| February 10, 2026 | Base | 121 | 13 |
| February 10, 2026 | Regional | 105 | <5 |
| January 13, 2026 | Base | 115 | 7 |
Source: BC PNP Invitations to Apply page
Understanding the Streams
| Stream | Description |
|---|---|
| Base stream | For entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business anywhere in B.C. |
| Regional stream | For entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in a regional community (population less than 75,000) |
The Regional stream typically has lower score requirements, as seen in the February 10 draw (105 points) compared to the Base stream (121 points) on the same date.
What the Minimum Score Means
Entrepreneur candidates are evaluated on:
- Business management experience
- Personal net worth
- Viability of the proposed investment in British Columbia
Successful nominees receive a provincial nomination, which adds 600 points to their federal Express Entry profile – virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence from the federal government.
Skills Immigration: High-Wage and High-Points Draws
While the Entrepreneur stream draws have been small, the BC PNP has held two significant Skills Immigration draws in 2026 focused on candidates who will create high economic impact.
February 11, 2026 – Skills Immigration Draw
| Selection Criteria | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage $62/hour + $125,000/year + job offer in NOC TEER 0,1,2,3 | 195 |
| Minimum score of 135 points | 265 |
| Total invitations | 460 |
February 4, 2026 – Skills Immigration Draw
| Selection Criteria | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage $70/hour + $145,000/year + job offer in NOC TEER 0,1,2,3 | 206 |
| Minimum score of 138 points | 223 |
| Total invitations | 429 |
Key Observations
| Metric | February 4, 2026 | February 11, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Wage threshold | $70/hour + $145,000/year | $62/hour + $125,000/year |
| Score threshold | 138 points | 135 points |
| Invitations | 429 | 460 |
The wage threshold dropped between the two draws, allowing a larger number of candidates to qualify. The "high economic impact" model replaced previous targeted category draws (Tech, Childcare, Healthcare) that were common in 2024-2025.
BC PNP Skills Immigration Registration Pool (as of March 3, 2026)
The pool data provides insight into the competitive landscape for Skills Immigration candidates.
| Score Range | Number of Registrations |
|---|---|
| 150+ | 15 |
| 140 - 149 | 50 |
| 130 - 139 | 475 |
| 120 - 129 | 1,203 |
| 110 - 119 | 1,693 |
| 100 - 109 | 2,165 |
| 90 - 99 | 1,982 |
| 80 - 89 | 1,532 |
| 70 - 79 | 983 |
| 60 - 69 | 476 |
| 0 - 59 | 333 |
| Total | 10,907 |
What This Means for Candidates
| Score Range | Likelihood of Invitation |
|---|---|
| 140+ | Very high – only 65 candidates above this threshold |
| 130-139 | Good – 475 candidates competing for limited spots |
| 120-129 | Moderate – 1,203 candidates may need wage-based selection |
| Below 120 | Low – May require higher wage or improved profile |
With a total of 10,907 active registrations and an annual allocation of 5,254 nominations (see below), competition is intense.
Application Fees and Provincial Allocation
Fee Increase (Effective January 22, 2026)
The BC PNP raised its Skills Immigration application fee from $1,475 to $1,750.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Skills Immigration application fee | $1,750 |
| Request for review | Unchanged |
Affected streams:Â Skilled Worker, Health Authority, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS), and their Express Entry-aligned options.
Important: This fee is for the provincial nomination application only – candidates must also pay federal fees when applying to IRCC for permanent residence.
Provincial Allocation for 2026
British Columbia's nomination allocation for 2026 has been set at 5,254 spots – far below the province's requested amount. This limited allocation contributes to the highly competitive environment.
How the BC PNP Works
For Skills Immigration Candidates
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify eligible stream (Skilled Worker, Health Authority, ELSS, etc.) |
| 2 | Register online and enter candidate pool (profile active for 12 months) |
| 3 | Receive a score based on human capital and economic factors |
| 4 | Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) |
| 5 | Submit provincial nomination application within 30 days of ITA |
| 6 | Pay $1,750 fee and submit all required documentation |
| 7 | Receive nomination (if approved) and apply to IRCC for PR |
Estimated processing time for provincial nomination:Â 3 months.
For Entrepreneur Immigration Candidates
Entrepreneur candidates follow a similar process but are evaluated on business experience, net worth, and investment proposal. Successful nominees receive a work permit to establish their business before obtaining permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next BC PNP draw?
BC PNP draws are usually held on a bi-weekly basis, though the government does not publish a fixed schedule. Historically, the program has conducted draws every two to four weeks.
What is the minimum score for Skills Immigration?
In 2026, Skills Immigration draws have not used a single minimum score. Instead, candidates are selected based on either:
- A high wage threshold ($62-$70/hour), or
- A minimum points score (135-138 points)
Why haven't there been Tech, Childcare, or Healthcare draws in 2026?
The BC PNP has shifted to a "high economic impact" selection model that prioritizes candidates with high wages or high registration scores, rather than specific occupational categories. This change reflects the province's reduced federal allocation.
How many nominations does BC have for 2026?
British Columbia's allocation for 2026 is 5,254 nominations.
What is the new Skills Immigration application fee?
$1,750Â (effective January 22, 2026).
How long does it take to process a BC PNP application?
Current estimated processing time for Skills Immigration applications is approximately 3 months.
Can I work while my BC PNP application is being processed?
Skills Immigration candidates may be eligible for a work permit while waiting for a nomination decision, depending on their stream and current status.
Official Sources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| BC PNP Invitations to Apply | welcomebc.ca/immigrate-to-b-c/about-the-bc-provincial-nominee-program/invitations-to-apply |
| Skills Immigration Program Guide | welcomebc.ca |
| BC PNP Online User Portal | welcomebc.ca |
Bottom Line
British Columbia continues to prioritize high-impact candidates in 2026, with Entrepreneur draws every four to six weeks and Skills Immigration draws focused on high-wage earners.
Key takeaways for different audiences:
| Audience | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurs | Base stream minimum score dropped to 115 on April 14, 2026. Regular draws continue. |
| Skilled workers | High wage ($62+/hour) or high points (135+) are the paths to invitation. |
| Tech/Healthcare workers | No dedicated draws in 2026 – must compete in high-economic-impact model. |
| All candidates | Allocation is limited (5,254 spots), making competition fierce. |
The BC PNP remains one of Canada's most competitive provincial nominee programs. Candidates should focus on improving their registration score or securing high-wage employment to increase their chances of receiving an invitation.
About Author
