British Columbia Reopens Skills Immigration Selections with Targeted December Draw

After remaining inactive for several weeks, British Columbia has reactivated its Skills Immigration pathway, issuing a new set of invitations aimed at candidates who align closely with the province’s labour market and economic priorities.

The latest selection round took place on December 10, 2025, under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). This marked the province’s return to Skills Immigration draws after a noticeable pause since early October.

Also Read British Columbia Resumes Skills Immigration Draw After Extended Gap, Issues 410 Invitations

Limited Draw Activity in 2025 Continues

With this invitation round, British Columbia has now conducted only three Skills Immigration draws in the entire year, highlighting a cautious and highly selective nomination strategy. Provincial officials have emphasised quality over volume, focusing on candidates expected to deliver measurable economic value.

The December draw reflects this approach, prioritising applicants with strong earning potential or competitive scores within the provincial system.

Number of Invitations Issued

A total of 410 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through two distinct selection methods:

Draw DateSelection MethodEligibility ThresholdITAs Issued
December 10, 2025High-income skilled employmentMinimum wage of $87 per hour (approximately $170,000 annually) with a skilled job offer under NOC TEER 0–396
December 10, 2025Score-based selectionMinimum score of 138314

Most invitations were allocated to candidates ranked higher under the BC PNP scoring framework, reinforcing the importance of a strong overall profile.

How Candidates Were Chosen

Applicants were considered based on either:

  • Their ranking score within the Skills Immigration Registration System, or
  • Their ability to demonstrate exceptionally high earnings through a skilled job offer in British Columbia

The high-wage pathway remains one of the most selective streams, targeting individuals whose income level suggests an immediate and substantial contribution to the provincial economy.

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Current Size of the BC PNP Skills Immigration Pool

As of December 2, 2025, the Skills Immigration pool contained 11,083 registered candidates. Data released by the province shows a large concentration of applicants in the lower-to-mid score ranges.

Score BandRegistered CandidatesApproximate Percentile
150 and above41Top 0.4%
140–149179Top 2%
130–139804Top 9%
120–1291,161Top 20%
110–1191,573Mid-range
100–1092,085Mid-range
90–992,029Below median
80–891,479Lower range
70–79984Low range
60–69465Very low
Below 60283Bottom tier
Total11,083

Roughly half of all candidates currently hold scores of 100 or below, making selection increasingly competitive for those outside the top tiers.

What “Economic Impact” Means Under BC PNP

British Columbia’s Skills Immigration program is designed to respond directly to workforce gaps and strategic priorities. When issuing invitations, the province may weigh a combination of factors, including:

  • Education level and field relevance
  • Language proficiency
  • Occupation and labour market demand
  • Depth and relevance of work experience
  • Wage level attached to the job offer
  • Skill classification of employment
  • Regional settlement intentions
  • Alignment with provincial economic strategies

The BC PNP has also clarified that it reserves the right to modify selection criteria at any time, and future draws may target different attributes without prior announcement.

Eligibility Timing Remains Critical

Only candidate registrations submitted before the draw date were considered in this selection round. Profiles created or updated after December 10 were excluded, underlining the importance of maintaining an active and timely registration.

What This Signals for Future Applicants

British Columbia’s restrained draw schedule and high cut-off scores suggest that upcoming invitations will continue to favour top-performing profiles. Candidates with strong wages, in-demand occupations, and higher scores stand the best chance of success as the province manages its nomination limits.

While no date has been confirmed for the next draw, trends indicate that Skills Immigration invitations in British Columbia will remain targeted, data-driven, and economically focused.

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