BC PNP Invitations: What an Invitation or Nomination Actually Means
· Harjeet Arora, RCIC-IRB
Updated October 2026
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program selection activity should be read in the context of the particular draw and stream. Historical invitation numbers, wage thresholds or registration scores are not permanent eligibility rules and should not be applied to a different invitation round.
Invitation to apply is not the same as nomination
A provincial invitation generally allows a candidate to apply to the province for nomination. The province must then assess the application against the applicable stream requirements. Only if the province approves the application does the person become a provincial nominee.
Nomination is not permanent residence approval
After nomination, the applicant must still follow the applicable federal permanent residence process. Some nominations are aligned with Express Entry and others use the non-Express Entry PNP process. IRCC remains responsible for deciding the permanent residence application and assessing federal requirements and admissibility.
Express Entry-aligned nominations
For an Express Entry PNP pathway, the candidate must qualify for both the provincial stream and one of the federal programs managed through Express Entry. A confirmed and accepted provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. The candidate may then receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in an applicable Express Entry round.
Do not rely on an old BC PNP score
BC PNP invitation criteria can change with provincial priorities, allocation levels and the type of selection conducted. A score or wage level reported in a past draw describes that draw only unless the province expressly states otherwise.
Before accepting an invitation
Verify the stream, invitation expiry, employer support requirements, current job offer and evidence of the candidate’s qualifications. A candidate should distinguish the province’s selection criteria from the federal requirements that apply after nomination.
Important: Review current WelcomeBC criteria and draw information before assessing eligibility. This article is general information and not legal advice.
Harjeet Arora, RCIC-IRB · R709086