British Columbia: Your Pathway to Success

Program: British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration

Key Features:

Are you an international entrepreneur looking to set up a business in British Columbia (B.C.)? The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) stream offers a fantastic opportunity for you to immigrate to B.C., establish a business, and contribute to the province’s innovation and economic growth. This “temporary to permanent” immigration pathway allows you to initially come to B.C. as a temporary resident and later apply for permanent residency once your business is successfully established.

Embark on your entrepreneurial journey in British Columbia and contribute to the province’s vibrant economy. The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration stream offers a structured pathway to help you achieve your business and immigration goals.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Details

• Base Stream
• Regional Stream
• Strategic Projects

Tab panes

The Base Stream is designed for entrepreneurs who wish to establish or purchase a business in B.C. Here are the key requirements:

• Personal Requirements:
  • Personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000
  • Business and/or management experience; if no business experience, must have the equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma
  • Basic English or French language skill equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher
  • Lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live
  • Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
• Business, Job, and Investment Requirements:
  • Establish an eligible new business or buy and improve an existing business
  • Make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business
  • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Fees:
  • $300 registration fee
  • $3,500 application fee
• Application Process:
  1. Prepare a business proposal
  2. Register your proposal with the BC PNP
  3. Get a work permit
  4. Build your business
  5. BC PNP nomination
  6. Permanent Residence

The Regional Stream encourages entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities in B.C.’s smaller communities. This stream was introduced as a pilot in March 2019 and has since become a permanent part of the BC PNP.

• Key Features:
  • Active participation from B.C. communities
  • Communities identify priority businesses and seek entrepreneurs with relevant experience
  • Prospective candidates must visit the community for an exploratory visit
  • A community referral is required to register and apply for the EI Regional stream
• Requirements:
  • Establish an eligible new business aligned with the priorities of the referring community
  • Show business and/or management experience
  • Personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000
  • Make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$100,000 in the business
  • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4
  • Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
  • Lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live

The Strategic Projects stream is for foreign corporations looking to make significant investments in B.C. and transfer key staff to manage the operations.

• Eligibility for Companies:
  • Well-established and in good financial standing
  • Demonstrate investment readiness and capacity for international expansion into B.C.
  • Provide significant economic benefit to the province by making a high-value investment in B.C.

• Eligibility for Key Staff:
  • Current senior employees of the foreign corporation with essential qualifications and experience
  • Appointed to an executive or senior managerial position, or have specialized knowledge essential to the proposed B.C. operation
  • Employed in a permanent full-time capacity at the B.C. operation
  • Offered a wage commensurate with expertise and consistent with industry and corporate compensation structures Requirements

• Requirements:
  • Minimum equity investment of at least $500,000 directed toward the corporation’s operations in B.C.
  • Establish new or purchase and expand an eligible business in B.C.
  • Create at least three new full-time equivalent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff)

• Ineligible Business:
  • Immigration-linked investment schemes
  • 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 wash operations, scrap metal recycling, businesses selling used goods (excluding value-added services), real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage, business brokerage, goods trading businesses (unless value add is demonstrated)

• Application Process:
  1. Make an exploratory visit to B.C.
  2. Discuss your proposal with the BC PNP
  3. Register your interest
  4. Invitation to apply
  5. Submit a full application
  6. Signing Performance Agreements
  7. Work Permit & Arrival Report
  8. Business Establishment & Nomination
  9. Apply for Permanent Residence