The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Program is a business immigration pathway for international entrepreneurs who want to start or buy a business in British Columbia and contribute to economic growth and job creation in the province. Through this program, entrepreneurs can first obtain a temporary work permit and, after meeting performance requirements, be nominated for Canadian permanent residence.
These streams work under the BC PNP program (British Columbia Provincial Nomination).
Entrepreneur in British Columbia Streams
This immigration pathway is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) and consists of three distinct streams:
- Base Stream: For entrepreneurs who want to start or buy and grow a business anywhere in B.C.
- Regional Stream: For entrepreneurs who plan to establish a new business in a smaller community outside major urban centers.
- Strategic Projects Stream: For foreign corporations that are expanding operations into B.C. and bringing key staff along.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the Base and Regional Entrepreneur streams to help you understand which may be right for you:
| Criteria | Base Stream | Regional Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Net Worth | At least CAD $600,000 | At least CAD $300,000 |
| Business Investment | Minimum CAD $200,000 investment in the business | Minimum CAD $100,000 investment in the business |
| Business Experience | Minimum 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 10 years | Minimum 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 5 years |
| Job Creation Requirement | Creates at least 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident | Creates at least 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident |
| Language Requirement | Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French | CLB 4 in English or French |
| Community Referral | Not required | Required — must obtain a referral from the host community after an exploratory visit |
| Exploratory Visit | Optional | Mandatory before applying |
| Business Scope | Start or buy and grow a business anywhere in B.C. | Start a new business in a participating region or smaller community |
1️⃣British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream
The BC Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream is the main pathway for international entrepreneurs to start or buy and operate a business in British Columbia, Canada, and potentially qualify for Canadian permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This stream is designed for experienced business owners or senior managers ready to actively manage a qualifying business in B.C. and contribute to the local economy.
| Requirement | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|
| Personal Net Worth | CAD $600,000 or more |
| Personal Investment | CAD $200,000 in business |
| Business Ownership | At least 33.33% ownership of business |
| Experience | 3+ years owner-manager OR 4+ years senior management (or a combination) |
| Education | Post-secondary credential OR equivalent business experience |
| Language | CLB Level 4 in English or French |
| Job Creation | At least 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident |
| Registration Score | Minimum 115 points |
Key Eligibility Requirements
- Professional Experience:
- At least 3 years as a business owner-manager within the last 10 years
- 4 or more years as a senior manager
- Combination of at least one year as a business owner-manager and two years as a senior manager.
- Personal Net Worth: minimum of CAD $600,000
- Education:
- post-secondary education credential
- OR demonstrate equivalent qualifying experience as a business owner-manager.
- Business Proposal and Investment: a detailed business plan showing how you will either:
- Start a new eligible business, or
- Purchase and grow an existing business in British Columbia.
- Job Creation Requirement: at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Language Proficiency: CLB 4 in English or French
Your investment commitment must be:
- At least CAD $200,000 in personal eligible investment, and
- You must own at least 33.33% of the business (if owning less, you may be required to make a higher equity investment, e.g., CAD $1 million).
Exploratory Visit and Active Management
- An exploratory visit to British Columbia is highly recommended but not mandatory before registration.
- You must demonstrate active management involvement, meaning you will participate in day-to-day operations of the business once established in B.C.
The Process for Immigrating to British Columbia via the Entrepreneur Program
If you plan to move to British Columbia, Canada, through the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Pathway, you must complete several key steps. Each stage ensures that your business plan is viable and that you meet the requirements for temporary and eventually permanent residency.
- Prepare a Comprehensive Business Plan
- Register Your Business Plan with BC PNP
- Enter the Pool and Receive an Invitation
- Application Review and Interview
- Sign the Performance Agreement
- Obtain a Work Permit
- Start Your Business
- Receive Provincial Nomination
- Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency
Step-By-Step Guide »
1. Prepare a Comprehensive Business Plan
The first step is to develop a strong business plan that aligns with your experience, skills, and British Columbia’s economic priorities.
- Conduct market research to identify the right business type and ideal location in the province.
- Focus on sectors that contribute to economic growth and job creation.
- Use official resources like Trade and Invest British Columbia to learn about key industries, regions, and community priorities. (tradeandinvestbc.com)
2. Register Your Business Plan with BC PNP
Once your business plan is ready, submit it through the BC PNP Online portal.
- Provide a preliminary business plan and personal information.
- Pay the non-refundable registration fee of CAD $300.
- Applications are scored based on human capital factors (education, experience, language skills) and economic factors (business profitability, sector alignment, regional impact).
3. Enter the Entrepreneur Pool and Receive an Invitation
- Eligible candidates enter the Entrepreneur Pool, where profiles are ranked according to total points.
- Candidates can remain in the pool for up to 180 days.
- Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is not guaranteed.
- If invited, a BC PNP-approved auditor verifies your net worth and its sources.
- You then have 4 months to submit your full application through BC PNP Online.
4. Application Review and Interview
- Your full application is evaluated, and you may be invited for an interview.
- The interview covers business experience, business plan details, and goals.
- Final assessment is based on submitted documents and interview performance.
5. Sign the Performance Agreement
- Upon approval, you must sign a Performance Agreement with the B.C. government.
- This contract specifies your business obligations, investment amount, and job creation requirements.
- ❗ Ensure that all details match your initial registration; discrepancies may lead to application rejection.
6. Obtain a Work Permit
- With the signed agreement, apply for a temporary work permit.
- This permit allows you and your family to relocate legally to B.C. and operate the business.
- You must enter B.C. within 12 months of work permit approval.
- The work permit application must be submitted to IRCC within 90 days of receiving support from BC PNP.
7. Establish and Operate Your Business
- Once in B.C., you have 20 months to:
- Fulfill all performance agreement commitments
- Implement your business plan
- Actively manage the business on a day-to-day basis
8. Receive Provincial Nomination
- To secure a BC provincial nomination, demonstrate compliance with your Performance Agreement.
- Submit a final report 18–20 months after your arrival to BC PNP.
- Provide evidence of language proficiency at CLB 4 or higher.
- BC PNP reviews your report, and if approved, you sign a Nomination Conditions Statement.
9. Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency
- After signing the Nomination Conditions Statement, you receive BC provincial nomination.
- Submit your permanent residence application to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Program.
- Once approved, you and your eligible family members can settle permanently in Canada.
BC Entrepreneur Program – Detailed Points Allocation
- Business Ownership Experience
- Less than 12 months: 0 points
- 12–24 months: 4 points
- 25–36 months: 6 points
- 37–48 months: 12 points
- 49–60 months: 15 points
- More than 60 months: 20 points
- Senior Management Experience
- Less than 24 months: 0 points
- 24–48 months: 4 points
- 49–60 months: 8 points
- More than 60 months: 12 points
Maximum points: 20
Minimum 3 years of 100% ownership in the last 5 years: 4 points
- Current Assets (Liquidity)
- Less than CAD 50,000: 0 points
- CAD 50,000–200,000: 2 points
- CAD 200,000–400,000: 3 points
- More than CAD 400,000: 4 points
- Total Personal Net Worth
- Less than CAD 600,000: 0 points
- CAD 600,000–800,000: 5 points
- CAD 800,000–2,000,000: 6 points
- CAD 2–5 million: 7 points
- More than CAD 5 million: 8 points
Maximum points: 12
- Less than CAD 200,000: 0 points
- CAD 200,000–400,000: 8 points
- CAD 400,000–600,000: 10 points
- CAD 600,000–1,000,000: 11 points
- CAD 1–2 million: 12 points
- CAD 2–4 million: 14 points
- CAD 4–8 million: 16 points
- More than CAD 8 million: 20 points
- Less than 1 job: 0 points
- 1 job: 8 points
- 2 jobs: 9 points
- 3 jobs: 10 points
- 4 jobs: 11 points
- 5 jobs: 12 points
- 6 jobs: 13 points
- 7–9 jobs: 14 points
- 10–19 jobs: 16 points
- More than 20 jobs: 20 points
- Population over 500,000: 0 points
- 200,000–450,000: 1 point
- 100,000–200,000: 3 points
- 70,000–100,000: 6 points
- 60,000–70,000: 8 points
- 35,000–60,000: 10 point
- Less than 35,000: 12 points
- Language Skills
- Less than CLB 3: 0 points
- CLB 4 (Intermediate): 2 points
- CLB 5 or higher: 4 points
- Education
- High School Diploma: 0 points
- Associate Diploma / Certificate: 2 points
- Bachelor’s Degree: 5 points
- Post-Bachelor Certificate: 5 points
- Master’s Degree: 8 points
- Doctorate: 8 points
- Age
- Under 25: 0 points
- 25–34: 4 points
- 35–44: 8 points
- 45–54: 6 points
- 55–64: 4 points
- Over 65: 0 points
- Exploratory Visits to B.C.
- No visit: 0 points
- More than 3 years ago: 0 points
- 1–3 years ago: 1 point
- Within 1 year (without visiting local business area): 2 points
- Within 1 year (with local area visit): 4 points
- Canadian Experience
- At least 1 year of work, business, or study experience in Canada: 8 points
- Business Model Evaluation
- Business model: 10 points
- Satisfactory/Unclear: 1 point
- Showcase: 5 points
- Product: 10 points
- Market/products/services: 4 points
- Inadequate market/product analysis: 1 point
- At least one factor aligned with business model: 4 points
- Qualifying personal investment: 4 points
- Investment aligned with type/scale of business: 4 points
- Investment aligns with business type, scale, market, products/services, business model, and industry standards: 6 points
- Ownership Level
- 100%: 4 points
- 51–100%: 3 points
- 33–50%: 2 points
- Less than 33%: 0 points
- Only Business Experience
- Non-related industry (in months): 2 points
- ≤12 months direct experience or 12–36 months related: 5 points
- 13–24 months direct or >37 months related: 8 points
- 13–24 months direct + 37+ months related: 10 points
- 25–36 months direct: 12 points
- 25–36 months direct + 37+ months related: 14 points
- 37–60 months direct: 16 points
- 37–60 months direct + 37+ months related: 18 points
- Over 60 months direct: 20 points
- Only Work Experience
- 12+ months in non-related industry: 2 points
- ≤12 months direct or 12–36 months related: 4 points
- 13–36 months direct or >37 months related: 6 points
- 13–36 months direct + 37+ months related: 8 points
- 37–60 months direct: 10 points
- 37–60 months direct + 37+ months related: 12 points
- Over 60 months direct: 14 points
- Language Ability
- None / CLB 3 or lower: 0 points
- Basic / CLB 4: 1 point
- Intermediate or higher / CLB 5+: 2 points
- Significant Key Sector or Economic Benefit: 12 points
- No significant key sector or benefit: 3 points
- At least one key sector or significant benefit: 3 points
- At least one key sector and one significant economic benefit: 12 points
- Business concept does not support creating at least 1 FTE (or 3 FTE if key employee proposed): 0 points
- Concept inconsistent with business type/scale: 1 point
- Concept consistent with business type/scale: 6 points
- High-skilled jobs (NOC 0, A, B): 4 points
- No high-skilled positions proposed: 0 points
- 1 high-skilled position created/maintained: 2 points
- 2+ high-skilled positions created/maintained: 4 points
- Mainland Lower / Southwest: 2 points
- Vancouver Island & Coast: 4 points
- Thompson / Okanagan: 4 points
- Cariboo: 6 points
- Kootenay: 8 points
- Nechako: 8 points
- North Coast: 8 points
- Northeast: 8 points
2️⃣ British Columbia Entrepreneur Program – Regional Stream
The Regional Stream (EI Regional Stream) is designed for individuals who want to establish a new business in a smaller community and make British Columbia their new home.
This stream began as a pilot project in 2019 and has since expanded as part of the broader BC PNP Regional Program.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply under the Regional Stream, applicants must:
- Establish a new, eligible business that aligns with the priorities of the nominating community.
- Have business or management experience.
- Possess minimum personal net worth of CAD 300,000.
- Make a minimum personal investment of CAD 100,000 in the business.
- Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher in English or French.
- Hold legal immigration status in Canada or be eligible to obtain it.
- Be legally admitted to your country of residence.
Eligible Small Communities in British Columbia
The following communities are eligible for the Regional Stream:
- Cariboo
- Mackenzie
- Quesnel
- Kootenay
- Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)
- Columbia Valley & East Kootenay
- Kimberley
- Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)
- Rossland
- Trail
- Nechako
- Bulkley-Nechako
- Northeast
- Fort St. John
- Thompson-Okanagan
- Penticton
- Salmon Arm
- Vernon
- Vancouver Island/Coast
- Campbell River
- Comox
- Mount Waddington
3️⃣ British Columbia Entrepreneur Program – Strategic Projects Stream
The Strategic Projects Stream is designed for international companies that want to expand operations in British Columbia and make investments critical to their business growth.
This stream allows foreign companies to transfer key employees with specialized knowledge and skills permanently to British Columbia. Each company can nominate up to five senior employees to support permanent residency.
Company Eligibility
Companies applying under this stream must:
- Be a legally incorporated and financially stable company.
- Demonstrate capability for international expansion and investment readiness.
- Provide significant investments that generate meaningful economic benefits for British Columbia.
Key Employee Requirements
Key employees must:
- Be current senior employees of the foreign company with the experience and qualifications to manage or establish operations in BC.
- Hold a senior executive, managerial, or specialized knowledge position relevant to the company’s operations in BC.
- Work full-time and permanently in BC operations.
- Receive compensation appropriate to their skills, in line with industry standards and the company’s pay structure.
Ineligible Individuals
The following individuals cannot apply under this program:
- Those barred from entering Canada.
- Individuals not legally admitted to their country of residence.
- Persons without legal status in Canada.
- Those whose status has expired and cannot prove action within 90 days to restore it.
- Individuals working without a valid work permit in Canada.
- Persons with unresolved refugee claims.
- Individuals subject to removal orders inside or outside Canada.
Investment and Job Creation Requirements
Foreign companies must:
- Make a minimum direct equity investment of CAD 500,000 in British Columbia.
- Establish a new business or purchase and expand an eligible existing business.
- For each key employee transferred, create at least three full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (up to a maximum of five key employees).
Final Note: Recent Draws Overview
The table below shows the recent draws under the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration program, along with historical information about invitations issued.
| Date | Stream | Minimum Score | Number of Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 13, 2026 | Base | 115 | 7 |
| December 16, 2025 | Base | 115 | 17 |
| December 16, 2025 | Regional | 107 | Less than 5 |
| November 18, 2025 | Base | 121 | 19 |
| November 18, 2025 | Regional | 115 | Less than 5 |
| October 2, 2025 | Base | 123 | 11 |
| August 19, 2025 | Base | 124 | 11 |
| August 19, 2025 | Regional | 115 | Less than 5 |
| July 8, 2025 | Base | 121 | 12 |
| July 8, 2025 | Regional | 115 | Less than 5 |
| May 28, 2025 | Base | 115 | 9 |
| May 28, 2025 | Regional | 123 | Less than 5 |
| April 15, 2025 | Base | 115 | 5 |
| March 18, 2025 | Base | 115 | 8 |
| January 28, 2025 | Base | 123 | Less than 5 |
| January 28, 2025 | Regional | 123 | Less than 5 |
FAQs
What is the BC Entrepreneur Immigration program?
It is a sub-stream of the provincial nominee program (PNP). Entrepreneur requirements vary across Canadian provinces, and BC has its own rules and scoring system.
Can key employees in the Strategic Projects stream bring their families?
Yes. Each applicant can bring up to five key employees, and all their family members are eligible to apply for visas.
Are Strategic Projects stream applicants evaluated through the points system?
No. For the Strategic Projects stream, there is no competitive points-based ranking. All eligible applicants are invited to an interview.