British Columbia lowered its salary threshold and invited 714 professionals

In the September selection round, 714 candidates received invitations, and the salary threshold reached its lowest level since 2026.

British Columbia held a draw for the Innovate: High Economic Impact stream of the Skills Immigration program on September 24, 2026. A total of 714 candidates received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination.

The selection process took place in two stages. Candidates received 426 invitations for job offers in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations with a salary of at least $52 per hour and $105,000 CAD per year; their points were not taken into account. Another 288 invitations went to candidates with a score of 131 or higher.

The previous draw for this category took place on August 20, 2026; we covered it in a news article about how British Columbia held the largest draw of 2026 under the High Economic Contribution category. At that time, the province invited 602 candidates: 337 based on the salary criteria of $55 per hour and $110,000 CAD per year, and 265 with a score of 132 or higher.

What the 2026 tryouts reveal

714 invitations—a new high for the category in 2026: the September draw exceeded the August one by 112 invitations. The number of invitations has been rising for the third consecutive round: 279 invitations on June 18, 569 invitations on July 16, 602 invitations on August 20, and now 714.

The minimum wage threshold is also being lowered for the third time in a row. On June 18, the province required $62 per hour and $125,000 CAD per year; on July 16, $58 per hour and $115,000 CAD; and on August 20, $55 per hour and $110,000 CAD. The current rates of $52 per hour and $105,000 CAD per year represent the lowest threshold for 2026, and the 426 invitations issued based on the salary criterion constitute the largest group of its kind this year.

The cutoff score for the second group dropped to 131. It has never been this low in 2026: in previous selection rounds, the required score ranged from 132 to 138.

Since the beginning of 2026, British Columbia has held eight draws in the High Economic Impact category and issued 3,974 invitations. Draws are held approximately once a month.

Who Is the "High Economic Impact" Category Suitable For?

This category is intended for candidates whose work will make a significant economic contribution to the province. The key requirement is a high-paying job offer from a British Columbia employer in an occupation classified as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Candidates who do not meet the salary threshold may receive an invitation based on points earned in the Skills Immigration registration system.

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Not sure if you meet British Columbia's requirements? Schedule an assessment of your chances of immigrating to Canada.

A consultant will review your job offer, work experience, and education, and advise you on which category of the provincial program offers you the best chances.

The dates of all provincial draws, the minimum scores, and the number of invitations are listed on the page detailing the history of immigration draws in British Columbia.

Source

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