The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration pathway is designed for experienced businesspeople from around the world who want to invest in and operate a business in British Columbia. This program encourages the creation of new businesses and supports economic growth and innovation in the province.

Temporary to Permanent Pathway

Entrepreneur Immigration operates as a two-stage process. Approved candidates first arrive in B.C. as temporary residents. After successfully establishing and running their business according to program requirements, they may become eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Entrepreneur Immigration Streams

1. Base Stream

Eligibility Highlights:

• Personal Net Worth: Minimum of CAD $600,000.

• Experience: Demonstrated business or management experience. If lacking business experience, a post-secondary credential of at least two years is required.

• Language Ability: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French.

• Legal Status: Must be lawfully admitted in the current country of residence and eligible for Canadian immigration status.

Business and Investment Requirements:

• Start a new eligible business or purchase/improve an existing one in B.C.

• Invest at least CAD $200,000 personally into the business.

• Create at least one new full-time position for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Fees:

• Registration: CAD $300 (non-refundable)

• Application: CAD $3,500

Process Steps:

1. Prepare a detailed business proposal tailored to B.C.’s economic needs and your expertise.

2. Register your proposal with BC PNP through the BCPNP Online portal.

3. If invited, submit a full application and undergo a net worth verification by an authorized accounting firm.

4. Upon approval, sign a performance agreement and receive a work permit support letter.

5. Move to B.C., implement your business plan, and meet all performance criteria.

6. After fulfilling the agreement, apply for a provincial nomination and, subsequently, permanent residency.

2. Regional Stream

The Regional Stream is aimed at entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in one of B.C.’s smaller communities. This stream supports economic development beyond major urban centers and helps communities attract new investment.

Key Features:

• Community Involvement: Participating communities identify priority business types and play an active role in the selection process.

• Exploratory Visit: Prospective applicants must visit the community to assess the location and meet with local contacts.

• Community Referral: A referral from the community is required to register for this stream.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Start a new business aligned with the referring community’s priorities.

• Minimum personal net worth of CAD $300,000.

• Minimum eligible personal investment of CAD $100,000.

• Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• Minimum CLB 4 in English or French.

• Lawful admission in current country of residence and eligibility for Canadian immigration status.

• Relevant business or management experience.

Application and Selection Process

• Registration: Submit your business concept and personal details online. Points are awarded based on factors such as business viability, sector, region, education, experience, and language skills.

• Invitation to Apply: Top-scoring candidates may be invited to submit a full application. Net worth must be verified by a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm.

• Interview: Applicants may be invited to discuss their business plan and experience.

• Performance Agreement: Approved applicants sign an agreement outlining specific business and performance targets.

• Work Permit: Receive a support letter to apply for a work permit, allowing you and your family to move to B.C.

• Business Implementation: You have up to 20 months to establish and operate your business and meet all program requirements.

• Nomination & Permanent Residence: Upon successfully meeting your agreement terms, you may be nominated for permanent residence.

Participating Communities by Development Region

Cariboo Region

• Mackenzie

• Quesnel

Kootenay Region

• Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)

• Columbia Valley & East Kootenay

• Kimberley

• Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)

• Rossland

• Trail

Nechako Region

• Bulkley-Nechako

Northeast Region

• Fort St. John

Thompson-Okanagan Region

• Penticton

• Salmon Arm

• Vernon

Vancouver Island/Coast Region

• Campbell River

• Comox

• Mount Waddington (Strategic Projects)

Strategic Projects Stream

The Strategic Projects stream is designed for international companies seeking to make significant investments in British Columbia by establishing operations that are vital to the company’s global growth. This stream allows foreign corporations to transfer up to five key staff members-those with essential expertise and corporate knowledge-to actively manage the B.C. operations.

Company Eligibility

To qualify, a foreign corporation must:

• Be a well-established business in good financial standing.

• Demonstrate readiness and capacity to expand internationally into British Columbia.

• Commit to a substantial investment that will bring notable economic benefits to the province.

Key Staff Eligibility

To be considered as key staff, individuals must:

• Currently hold a senior position with the foreign corporation and possess the qualifications and experience necessary to establish and operate the B.C. business.

• Be appointed to an executive, senior management, or specialized knowledge role crucial to the B.C. operation.

• Be offered a permanent, full-time position in B.C. with compensation aligned to their expertise and industry standards.

Note:
Applications will not be accepted for key staff who:

• Are inadmissible to Canada.

• Are not lawfully admitted in their current country of residence.

• Are in Canada without valid status, or have not applied for restoration of status within 90 days of expiry.

• Are working in Canada without authorization.

• Have unresolved refugee claims or are subject to a removal order.

Business and Investment Requirements

The foreign corporation must:

• Make a minimum equity investment of CAD $500,000 into the B.C. operation.

• Establish or acquire and expand an eligible business in British Columbia.

• Create at least three new full-time jobs for Canadians or permanent residents for each key staff member proposed (up to five key staff).

Ineligible Business Types

The following business types are not eligible under the BC PNP:

• Immigration-linked investment schemes, as defined by federal and provincial regulations.

• Businesses with redemption options or that may be considered passive investments.

• Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms, and home-based businesses.

• Payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing, and cash machine businesses.

• Pawnbrokers, tanning salons, DVD rental stores, coin-operated laundries, automated car washes, and scrap metal recycling.

• Businesses primarily selling used goods, unless value-added services like repairs or refurbishing are provided.

• Real estate development, brokerage, insurance, or business brokerage.

• Goods trading businesses (e.g., import/export) unless they provide significant value-added services.

Application Process

Step 1: Conduct an exploratory visit to British Columbia to learn about the market and business environment.

Step 2: Contact the BC PNP to discuss your business proposal before registering for the Strategic Projects stream.

Step 3: Register your company’s interest, providing details about the business, proposed investment, and qualifications of key staff. A non-refundable registration fee of CAD $300 applies.

Step 4: If eligible, you may be invited to submit a full application within 90 days of invitation.

Step 5: Submit a complete application package, including forms for key staff and supporting documents. The application fee is CAD $3,500 for the company, plus CAD $1,000 for each key staff member.

Step 6: If approved, both the company and each key staff member must sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of B.C.

Step 7: Approved key staff receive a work permit support letter, valid for 90 days, to apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Staff must arrive in B.C. within 180 days of receiving the letter and submit an arrival report within 60 days of landing.

Step 8: After fulfilling the obligations outlined in the Performance Agreement, submit a final report to the BC PNP. The program may conduct site visits or interviews as part of the assessment.

Step 9: If the terms of the Performance Agreement are met, each key staff member may be nominated for permanent residence and must apply to IRCC within 180 days of nomination.