British Columbia held its largest 2026 draw under the High Economic Contribution category
602 invitations, a lower salary threshold, and more candidates entering the pool — the trends are becoming clear.
On August 20, 2026, British Columbia held its largest High Economic Impact draw of 2026, sending out a total of 602 invitations to apply. Candidates were selected based on two criteria: salary level and points score.
Salary-Based Selection
337 invitations went to candidates who met all of the following requirements: a minimum hourly wage of $55 CAD, an annual income of at least $110,000 CAD, and a job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. No minimum points score was required for this group.
Points-Based Selection
The remaining 265 candidates were invited based on their score in the provincial points system. The minimum qualifying score for this draw was 132.
High Economic Impact Draw Trends
British Columbia holds these draws on a regular basis, and looking at the last three rounds, there's a clear trend toward making the program more accessible.
The salary thresholds have been steadily dropping: in the June 18 draw, the minimum was $62 CAD per hour with an annual income of $125,000 CAD; by July 16, that had fallen to $58 CAD per hour and $115,000 CAD per year; and on August 20, it dropped further to $55 CAD per hour and $110,000 CAD per year. This means more and more skilled workers are now eligible to qualify through the salary stream.
At the same time, the number of salary-based invitations has been growing steadily — 130 in June, 223 in July, and 337 in August. Meanwhile, the minimum points score for the second stream has leveled off at 132, down from 136 in June.
Overall, the total number of invitations across the three draws has more than doubled, going from 279 in June to 569 in July and 602 in August.
Who Can Apply
Unlike sector-specific draws, the High Economic Impact category isn't limited to particular occupations. Skilled workers from any industry are welcome to apply, as long as they meet one of two criteria: either they earn above the salary threshold and work in a TEER 0–3 occupation, or they have accumulated enough points in the provincial program's scoring system.
Previous British Columbia Draw
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The previous BC draw took place on August 6 and was sector-specific, with over 500 invitations going to professionals in construction, healthcare, early childhood and K-12 education, and veterinary services. The August 20 draw is quite different in nature — it targets high-earning professionals regardless of their specific field.
If you're currently working in British Columbia or have a job offer from a BC employer, we recommend booking a consultation with a licensed immigration consultant to find out where you stand and what your nomination chances look like.
Stay up to date with the BC draw history so you don't miss any new immigration opportunities.
