Maple News reports that British Columbia has conducted its first skilled immigration draw of 2025 under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), marking a significant moment in the province’s tightened immigration strategy. On May 8, a total of 94 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates with strong potential for economic impact in the province — notably under new restrictions tied to federal nomination quotas.
This latest draw prioritized two distinct groups: candidates currently working in TEER 0-level skilled occupations with a minimum wage of $105 per hour, and those who achieved a minimum score of 150 under the BC PNP’s Comprehensive Ranking System. The invitations were evenly distributed between these two groups, reflecting a more selective and strategic approach by the province.
Earlier this year, British Columbia made adjustments to its PNP strategy in response to significantly reduced federal allocation limits for 2025. The province has since announced that it will issue only around 100 nominations through its high-economic impact skilled immigration path — a target it appears close to meeting with this latest draw.
Future draws under the high-impact stream may shift their focus depending on evolving provincial priorities. According to BC PNP guidelines, selection criteria could include factors such as field and level of education, recognized credentials in B.C., language proficiency, occupation type, relevant work experience, wage level, intention to reside in specific regions, and alignment with strategic labor market needs or pilot initiatives.
British Columbia’s overall immigration outlook also reflects this cautious, economically focused stance. For the entire year of 2025, the BC PNP plans to accept just 1,100 new applications for provincial nomination — far fewer than in previous years. If all candidates selected in this recent draw proceed to successful nomination, the high-economic pathway may have already reached its intended limit.
While this strategic narrowing of opportunities may limit access for many potential immigrants, it reinforces the province’s commitment to aligning immigration with labour market needs and economic priorities. Maple News will continue to monitor developments in the BC PNP as the province works within tight federal allocations to support its workforce and economy.