Pillar

InnovateInnovate

images/pillars/innovate.jpg Illustrative photo representing the Innovate pillar of BC PNP Skills Immigration

Direct answerThe Innovate pillar covers high economic impact occupations across all sectors, including tech (there's no separate BC tech stream anymore). It has two invitation paths: a score route (132–138 in 2026) and a wage route with no minimum score at all ($55–70/hr).

Worked example for Innovate: take the category, TEER, and wage facts on this page and enter them in the BC PNP calculator with your years of skilled work and language level. The result is a SIRS estimate out of 200 points. Compare it with recent invitation ranges for your pillar. It does not guarantee an invitation.

Categories inside Innovate

Category	2026 score range
Score route (all sectors incl. tech)	132–138
Wage route	$55–70/hr, no score minimum

On BC's largest 2026 round (20 August), 337 of 602 invitations went through the wage route versus 265 through the score route. If your wage clears the bar, the wage route can be the faster path even with a lower SIRS score. See the wage-vs-median tool.

Score your profile in this pillar →

Explore next

Software Developers

The clearest Innovate: High Economic Impact example.

Wage vs. BC median

Check whether your offer clears the wage-route bar.

2026 draw history

See both Innovate routes' real invitation counts round by round.

Questions

What should I know about Innovate?

The Innovate pillar covers high economic impact occupations across all sectors, including tech (there's no separate BC tech stream anymore). It has two invitation paths: a score route (132–138 in 2026) and a wage route with no minimum score at all ($55–70/hr).

How do I use this with the calculator?

Read the direct answer, check the facts, then open the score calculator. Enter the usual TEER for this page plus your own wage, experience, education, and language. The calculator applies the SIRS grid in force since 4 December 2025 and the 23 April 2026 Care, Build, and Innovate categories.

Does this replace an official BC PNP result?

No. This is an estimate from published SIRS figures and WelcomeBC announcements. Only WelcomeBC produces an official category placement or invitation.