BC Provincial Nominee Program Entrepreneur Immigration

You may be eligible if you:

• Have experience as either:
   
  • a business owner–operator, or
     
  • a senior manager responsible for strategic decision-making.
     
• Have a verifiable personal net worth that meets the minimum requirement of the stream you apply to.
   
• Have the ability and intention to live in British Columbia and actively manage the business on a day-to-day basis.
   
• Are prepared to establish a new business or purchase/expand an existing business in BC.
   
• Can create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
   
• Meet the language requirement (minimum CLB 4 in English or French).
   
• Submit a business proposal that demonstrates commercial viability and economic benefit to BC.
   

Note: Requirements vary depending on which Entrepreneur Immigration stream you apply to.

The BC Provincial Nominee Program separates individual entrepreneurs from foreign-controlled companies, because each follows a different immigration pathway.

Entrepreneurs (Base Stream & Regional Stream)

For individuals who want to start, purchase, or expand a business in British Columbia.

Key Points:

• The individual applicant operates the business.
   
• Must live in BC and actively manage daily business operations.
   
• Must meet personal net worth and investment requirements.
   
• Must create at least 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
   

Businesses (Strategic Projects Stream)

For companies seeking to expand operations into BC.

Key Points:

• The company is the applicant (not an individual).
   
• Must make a minimum equity investment of at least $500,000 CAD.
   
• Must demonstrate business readiness and solid financial standing.
   
• Can bring up to 5 key staff members to BC.
   
• Must create at least 3 full-time jobs per key staff member (up to 5 staff).

Register Online
Submit your registration and business concept through the BC PNP Online Portal.
 

Invitation to Apply
If selected based on your score, you will receive an Invitation to Apply.
 

Application and Interview
Submit a full application. You may be invited to an interview to discuss your business plan.
 

Work Permit Support
If approved, sign a Performance Agreement and receive a letter to apply for a work permit.
 

Establish Your Business in BC
Move to BC, make the required investment, actively manage the business, and create the required job(s).
 

Nomination & Permanent Residence
After meeting all commitments, you may receive a BC PNP nomination and then apply to IRCC for permanent residence.

The BC PNP applies fees to process Entrepreneur Immigration applications. These fees support the administration of the program and services provided to applicants through to nomination and permanent residence

• Registration: $300 CAD
• Application: $3,500*
• Request for review: $500 CAD

* For the Strategic Projects stream, there is an additional fee of $1,000 CAD for each key staff member included in the application. 

Fees are refundable only if you withdraw your application before assessment begins. Fees for requests for review are non-refundable in all cases. 

Processing times can vary depending on program demand and the completeness of your application. After receiving a Work Permit Support Letter and relocating to British Columbia, you will have a defined period (as outlined in your Performance Agreement) to invest in the business, actively manage operations, and create the required job(s).

Once you have fulfilled the terms of your Performance Agreement and submitted your Final Report, BC PNP may issue a nomination. You can then apply to IRCC for permanent residence, which is processed separately and may take additional time depending on federal processing and background checks.