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
FAQ
How long will it take from the time you register to the time you are nominated?
A score will be given to you within 4 to 6 weeks after receiving the review of your registration.
You can stay in the qualified pool for up to 180 days, or 6 months.
If you are requested to apply, you must do so within 4 months of the invitation date, or 120 days.
The majority of complete applications are processed in 3 to 4 months.
What is the minimum score?
There’s no minimum overall score. However, each section of the registration has a minimum qualifying score.
To continue, you must achieve the minimum score in each section
What are the eligibility requirements to register for the program?
Individuals must meet the following requirements in order to register:
Have a basic English or French language ability of level 4 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
Have been properly admitted to the nation in which they now reside
Have a personal net worth of at least CAD 600,000 which must be obtained in a legal and verifiable manner and disclosed by the candidate
Have spent at 3 three years as an active business owner-manager OR 4 years as a senior manager OR a combination of at least 1 year as an active business owner-manager AND at least 2 years as a senior management (in the previous 10 years)
Have a post-secondary degree OR have spent at least 3 of the previous 5 years as an active business owner-manager with 100% control of the company (The candidate, his/her spouse or common-law partner, and/or his/her dependent child(ren) may all hold a portion of the business)
Within 610 days (approximately 20 months) of arriving in British Columbia on a BC PNP-supported work permit, demonstrate an eligible personal investment of at least CAD 200,000 in the proposed business
Demonstrate that the business will create at least one permanent, new full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada within 365 days (12 months) of the arrival date
Who can't apply for the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Stream?
The BC PNP will not accept a nomination from someone who:
- is prohibited from entering Canada
- has not been lawfully admitted in the country of current residence
- is in Canada but out of status
- has an expired status and has not applied for restoration of status within the 90-day eligibility period
- is working in Canada without authorization
- has an unresolved refugee claim in Canada
- is under a deportation order in or outside of Canada
- is in Canada and does not have legal immigration status
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