BC Entrepreneur Immigration Program

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program provides an Entrepreneur Immigration stream which is open to experienced entrepreneurs who can help promote innovation and economic growth in the province.

This program consists of 3 streams.

• Entrepreneur Immigration category
• Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
• Strategic Projects category

Entrepreneur Immigration category: This stream is for entrepreneurs who wish to set up a business in the province. The invitation under this system is also points-based. The applicants must have the required funds to invest in a business. They will be eligible for permanent residence under the entrepreneur immigration stream.

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot Stream: This is for investors wishing to start a new business in the regional communities across the province.

Strategic Projects category: Under this category, foreign based companies can set up their operations in the province. 5 foreign professionals who can work for the business can be nominated for permanent residence in the province under this scheme.

To qualify for this program, prospective entrepreneurs must make an exploratory visit to one of these small communities (must be less than 75,000 people) in order to obtain a community referral which is required in order to register with the BC PNP.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this program, prospective entrepreneurs must first visit one of these small communities (with a population of less than 75,000 people) to get a community reference. This is required to register with the BC PNP.

They must meet the following criteria:

• Have a personal net worth of at least CAD 300,000
• Within the last 5 years, have at least 3 years of experience owning a business or 4 years of experience managing a firm
• Create at least one new job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in British Columbia through the proposed business
• Have the applicant own at least 51% of the proposed venture
• A minimum investment of CAD 100,000 made by the applicant in the proposed business