Maple News reports that British Columbia has introduced a new level of transparency in its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), giving skilled immigration candidates a clearer view of where they stand within the provincial talent pool. For the first time, data from the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) has been released, showing how applicants rank across score ranges. This move offers valuable context for those hoping to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
The newly published data highlights the competitiveness of the provincial pool by breaking down registration numbers by SIRS score range. As of November 2, 2023, there are over 10,700 candidates in the BC PNP’s Skills Immigration pool. The largest group of applicants—more than 2,000—hold scores between 100 and 109, followed closely by scores in the 90–99 and 110–119 ranges. Only 28 candidates achieved scores of 150 or higher.
This marks a shift in how BC approaches candidate selection. In light of a reduced federal nomination allocation for 2025, the province has opted for general draws that focus on applicants with strong potential to contribute economically, across multiple streams. Previously, BC conducted targeted draws by specific immigration streams.
The table’s breakdown shows just how competitive the selection process can be. For example, candidates with a score above 130 are in the top 8% of the pool. Those within the 140–149 score range are even more elite, representing approximately 1% of the submissions.
Importantly, the profile data only covers applicants who have formally registered through SIRS. These profiles receive a score based on factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and job offers in British Columbia. This score determines their potential to receive an ITA in upcoming provincial draws.
For candidates in the BC PNP pool, understanding these breakdowns offers a roadmap to improve their chances. Strengthening areas like language proficiency or securing qualified job offers could provide a significant boost in their SIRS score.
British Columbia’s commitment to data transparency could signal a trend across other provinces seeking to streamline immigration and better align candidate selection with labour market needs. As Canada’s immigration landscape evolves in response to shifting economic priorities, tools like this offer skilled workers more clarity than ever before.
According to Maple News, these insights will be increasingly valuable as provinces use more strategic criteria to allocate nominations through platforms like Express Entry and aligned provincial streams.