British Columbia Nears Cap on Skilled Worker Invitations in First Draw of 2025
British Columbia has kicked off its 2025 provincial immigration efforts with a highly selective draw under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration stream. The first draw of the year, conducted on May 8, 2025, reflects a significant shift toward prioritizing high-impact candidates in response to reduced federal nomination allocations.
Draw Overview and Invitation Details
In this initial draw, only 94 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued, marking a notably restrictive approach compared to previous years. These invitations were evenly split between two strict eligibility categories:
- 47 candidates were employed in skilled jobs classified under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER level 0, earning a minimum of $105 per hour.
- 47 candidates scored at least 150 points under the BC PNP’s scoring system, which evaluates factors like education, skills, and work experience.
This even distribution highlights British Columbia’s dual focus: attracting top-tier professionals with high wages and candidates with exceptionally strong profiles.
Context and Program Changes
The federal government has reduced British Columbia’s annual nomination limit by 50% for 2025, capping it at 4,000 nominations—down from 8,000 in 2024. This reduction applies to all streams, including skilled workers, health authority employees, and entrepreneurs.
At the start of the year, the BC PNP faced a backlog of approximately 5,200 applications, exceeding the 4,000 available nomination spaces. As a result:
- About 1,100 nominations are reserved for new applications from eligible health authority employees, entrepreneurs, and high-impact skilled workers.
- Roughly 2,900 nominations will be allocated to existing applications already in the inventory.
Due to this limited capacity, the BC PNP does not expect to issue general or priority occupation ITAs in 2025. Instead, a very limited number of ITAs—around 100 in total—will be extended to Skills Immigration registrants who demonstrate high economic impact. This is a small fraction of the over 10,000 candidates in the pool.
Selection Factors and Future Draws
Invitations in these targeted draws are based on a combination of high wage, high points, and other strategic attributes. For future draws, BC PNP may also consider:
- Education level, field, and place of completion.
- Professional designation in BC.
- Language proficiency.
- Occupation and duration of work experience.
- Wage offered and job skill level.
- Intent to live and work in specific BC regions.
- Alignment with government strategic priorities.
Implications
This approach signals that British Columbia is prioritizing immigration candidates who can immediately and significantly benefit the provincial economy. For most Skills Immigration candidates, opportunities for nomination are extremely limited in 2025. The program is now centered on addressing critical labor shortages and supporting high-priority sectors.
In summary, the BC PNP’s first skills-based draw of 2025 marks the tightest restrictions in recent years. With a focus on extremely high-skilled and high-impact individuals, candidates must now meet exceptionally competitive criteria—whether through high wages, top scores, or other strategic qualifications—to secure a spot in British Columbia’s immigration pathway.
British Columbia Nears Cap on Skilled Worker Invitations in First Draw of 2025
British Columbia has kicked off its 2025 provincial immigration efforts with a highly selective draw under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration stream. The first draw of the year, conducted on May 8, 2025, reflects a significant shift toward prioritizing high-impact candidates in response to reduced federal nomination allocations.
Draw Overview and Invitation Details
In this initial draw, only 94 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued, marking a notably restrictive approach compared to previous years. These invitations were evenly split between two strict eligibility categories:
- 47 candidates were employed in skilled jobs classified under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER level 0, earning a minimum of $105 per hour.
- 47 candidates scored at least 150 points under the BC PNP’s scoring system, which evaluates factors like education, skills, and work experience.
This even distribution highlights British Columbia’s dual focus: attracting top-tier professionals with high wages and candidates with exceptionally strong profiles.
Context and Program Changes
The federal government has reduced British Columbia’s annual nomination limit by 50% for 2025, capping it at 4,000 nominations—down from 8,000 in 2024. This reduction applies to all streams, including skilled workers, health authority employees, and entrepreneurs.
At the start of the year, the BC PNP faced a backlog of approximately 5,200 applications, exceeding the 4,000 available nomination spaces. As a result:
- About 1,100 nominations are reserved for new applications from eligible health authority employees, entrepreneurs, and high-impact skilled workers.
- Roughly 2,900 nominations will be allocated to existing applications already in the inventory.
Due to this limited capacity, the BC PNP does not expect to issue general or priority occupation ITAs in 2025. Instead, a very limited number of ITAs—around 100 in total—will be extended to Skills Immigration registrants who demonstrate high economic impact. This is a small fraction of the over 10,000 candidates in the pool.
Selection Factors and Future Draws
Invitations in these targeted draws are based on a combination of high wage, high points, and other strategic attributes. For future draws, BC PNP may also consider:
- Education level, field, and place of completion.
- Professional designation in BC.
- Language proficiency.
- Occupation and duration of work experience.
- Wage offered and job skill level.
- Intent to live and work in specific BC regions.
- Alignment with government strategic priorities.
Implications
This approach signals that British Columbia is prioritizing immigration candidates who can immediately and significantly benefit the provincial economy. For most Skills Immigration candidates, opportunities for nomination are extremely limited in 2025. The program is now centered on addressing critical labor shortages and supporting high-priority sectors.
In summary, the BC PNP’s first skills-based draw of 2025 marks the tightest restrictions in recent years. With a focus on extremely high-skilled and high-impact individuals, candidates must now meet exceptionally competitive criteria—whether through high wages, top scores, or other strategic qualifications—to secure a spot in British Columbia’s immigration pathway.
Conclusion
British Columbia’s first draw of 2025 under the BC PNP Skills Immigration stream marks a significant shift towards a more selective approach. With a reduced annual nomination cap of 4,000, the province is prioritizing high-impact candidates who can immediately contribute to the economy. The focus on high-wage earners and top scorers under the BC PNP’s scoring system highlights the strategic direction for 2025. This selective approach underscores the importance of meeting stringent criteria for potential applicants, emphasizing the need for high skills and alignment with provincial priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why has British Columbia reduced the number of skilled worker invitations in 2025?
The federal government reduced British Columbia’s annual nomination limit by 50% for 2025, capping it at 4,000 nominations. This reduction applies to all streams under the BC PNP.
How many invitations were issued in the first draw of 2025?
In the first draw of 2025, a total of 94 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued. These were evenly split between two categories: 47 candidates employed in high-wage jobs (NOC TEER 0) and 47 candidates who scored at least 150 points under the BC PNP’s scoring system.
What are the key criteria for selecting candidates in 2025?
Candidates are selected based on high wages, high points, and other strategic attributes such as education, professional designation, language proficiency, occupation, work experience, and alignment with government priorities.
Will there be more draws in 2025?
Due to the reduced nomination cap and existing application backlog, BC PNP does not expect to issue general or priority occupation ITAs in 2025. Only a limited number of ITAs—around 100 in total—will be extended to high-impact candidates.
How can I improve my chances of receiving an invitation?
To improve your chances, focus on achieving a high score under the BC PNP’s scoring system, securing a high-wage job offer, and aligning your qualifications with British Columbia’s strategic priorities and labor shortages.
