Innovate draws replaced priority technology draws
WelcomeBC confirmed on 2026-04-23 that the final draw for BC PNP priority technology occupations occurred on 2024-12-03, and there is no separate Tech stream or 35-occupation priority list in the current program guide. Occupations on the former technology list remain eligible and are invited under the Innovate priority for high economic impact candidates.
In the 2026-09-24 Innovate rounds, the BC PNP issued invitations under two criteria:
- Wage-based invitations: at least C$52/hour and C$105,000/year (426 invitations);
- Points-based invitations: a minimum registration score of 131 points (288 invitations).
Source: WelcomeBC: News and announcements; WelcomeBC: Invitations to apply, checked 2026-10-18.
Job offer, wage and Skilled Worker requirements
Under the BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide (effective 2026-06-10), Skilled Worker applicants must meet these job offer and qualification rules:
- Indeterminate full-time offer: the job offer must be indeterminate and full-time (an average of at least 30 hours a week, year-round); only select occupations are exempt from the indeterminate requirement.
- Wage: the guide sets no fixed technology salary floor; the offered wage must be within the WorkBC or federal Job Bank wage range for the occupation and location, comparable to what Canadian citizens and permanent residents with similar qualifications earn, and consistent with the employer's pay structure.
- Work experience: at least 2 years of full-time (or full-time equivalent) directly related experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation within the past 10 years, together with the education, training or licensing the job requires.
- Language: CLB 4 in all four skills for TEER 2 to 5 occupations; TEER 0 and 1 applicants generally do not need a language test unless claiming language registration points.
See the BC PNP high-wage pathway guide and B.C. minimum wage and BC PNP wage rules for how hourly and annual pay are assessed.
Source: BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide, checked 2026-10-18.
Employer requirements and LMIA exemption
- Full-time staff: an employer in Metro Vancouver must have at least 5 indeterminate full-time employees (or full-time equivalents) in B.C.; outside Metro Vancouver, at least 3.
- Operating history: at least 1 year of operation in B.C.
- No LMIA required: WelcomeBC states that employers supporting BC PNP applicants are not required to have a federal Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Source: BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide; WelcomeBC: For employers, checked 2026-10-18.