Base Program

Eligibility Criteria

Personal Requirements

1. 1. Net Worth
   • Minimum personal net worth of CAD $600,000.
2. 2. Business and/or Management Experience:
   • At least 3 years of business and/or management experience.
   • If no business experience, must have an equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma.
3. 3. Language Skills:
   • Basic proficiency in English or French equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
4. 4. Legal Status:
   • Must be lawfully admitted in the country where you currently reside.
   • Must have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.

Business, Job, and Investment Requirements

1. 1. Business
   • Establish an eligible new business or buy and improve an existing business in B.C.
2. 2. Investment
   • Minimum personal investment of CAD $200,000 in the business.
3. 3. Job Creation
   • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
4. 4. Legal Status:
   • Must be lawfully admitted in the country where you currently reside.
   • Must have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
5. Fees
   • Registration Fee: $300 (non-refundable)
   • Application Fee: $3,500

Process

1. 1. Prepare a Business Proposal:
   • Develop a comprehensive business proposal suited to your knowledge, experience, and B.C.’s economic needs.
   • Consider researching key sectors or regions in B.C. and refer to the Trade and Invest British Columbia website for insights.
2. 2. Register Your Proposal:
   • Create a profile in BC PNP Online and complete the registration with a short business concept.
   • Pay the non-refundable registration fee of $300.
   • Your registration will be scored based on human capital and economic factors.
3. 3. Invitation to Apply:
   • If you meet the minimum requirements, you’ll enter the qualified pool for up to 180 days.
   • If invited, you must have your personal net worth reviewed by a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm.
4. 4. Submit Application:
   • Submit a complete application through BCPNP Online within four months of receiving your invitation.
   • You may be invited for an interview to discuss your business/work experience and business plan.
5. 5. Performance Agreement:
   • If approved, sign a performance agreement with the Province of B.C., outlining your business plan and performance expectations.
6. 6. Get a Work Permit:
   • Use the letter of support from BC PNP to apply for a work permit.
   • Submit your work permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 90 days.
   • Arrive in B.C. within 12 months.
7. 7. Build Your Business:
   • Implement your business plan and manage the business according to the performance agreement within 20 months.
8. 8. BC PNP Nomination:
   • Submit a final report to BC PNP between 18 and 20 months after arriving in B.C.
   • Provide proof of language skill at Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4.
   • If you meet the terms of your performance agreement, you will sign a Conditions of Nomination declaration and receive a nomination.
9. 9. Apply for Permanent Residence:
   • After receiving the provincial nomination, apply for permanent residence to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Class.

Regional stream

It is designed to attract entrepreneurs to establish new businesses in smaller communities across British Columbia. This stream focuses on encouraging business development outside major urban centers and offers a pathway for individuals looking to make a new home in one of B.C.’s smaller communities.

Key Features

1. 1. Community Participation:
   • Participating communities actively engage in the process and have specific business priorities they are looking to address.
   • Entrepreneurs should align their business proposals with these community priorities and may need to follow each community’s specific process, which could include fees.
2. 2. Exploratory Visit:
   • If a community is interested in your proposal, they may invite you for an in-person exploratory visit.
   • This visit helps you assess if the community and lifestyle fit your needs and allows you to learn more about the local supports and services available.
   • The decision to invite for a visit is at the discretion of the community.
3. 3. Community Referral:
   • After the visit, if you wish to proceed, you must request a referral from the community.
   • A referral is necessary to register and apply for the EI Regional stream and is issued at the community’s discretion.

Eligibility Requirements

1. 1. Business Establishment:
   • Establish an eligible new business that aligns with the community’s priorities. Purchasing an existing business or settling in a non-participating community does not qualify.
2. 2. Business and Management Experience:
   • Demonstrate relevant business and/or management experience.
3. 3. Net Worth:
   • Minimum personal net worth of CAD $300,000.
4. 4. Investment:
   • Make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD $100,000 in the business.
5. 5. Job Creation:
   • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
6. 6. Language Proficiency:
   • Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4.
7. 7. Legal Status:
   • Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada and have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live.

Process

1. 1. Prepare and Submit a Business Proposal:
   • Create a comprehensive business proposal that aligns with the priorities of the community you are interested in.
   • Reach out to the community contact person using the contact details provided in their profile.
2. 2. Community Exploration:
   • If invited, visit the community to assess whether it is a good fit for your business and lifestyle.
3. 3. Obtain a Community Referral:
   • If after the visit you decide to proceed, request a referral from the community. This referral is necessary for the next steps in the application process.
4. 4. Register and Apply:
   • Register and apply for the EI Regional stream through the BC PNP, including submitting a detailed business plan and meeting all criteria.

1. Resources and Contact

   • Community Profiles: Each participating community has specific priorities and administrative processes. Contact them directly using the details provided in their profiles.
   • Additional Information:For more detailed information, refer to the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream Guide.

By following these steps and meeting the outlined requirements, entrepreneurs can successfully navigate the BC PNP EI Regional stream and contribute to the economic growth of smaller communities in British Columbia.

The Strategic Projects stream

This stream designed to facilitate the establishment and growth of foreign corporations in the province. It allows these corporations to bring key senior staff with specialized knowledge to manage and operate their B.C. operations. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria, application process, and requirements:

Eligibility Criteria

For the Foreign Corporation:

1. Established and Financially Sound: The corporation must be well-established and in good financial standing.
2. Investment Readiness: Demonstrate readiness and capacity for international expansion into B.C.
3. Economic Benefit: Provide significant economic benefits by making a high-value investment in B.C.

For Key Staff Members:

1. Senior Employees: Must be current senior employees of the foreign corporation with essential qualifications and experience for the B.C. operation.
2. Position and Employment: Must be appointed to an executive or senior managerial position or have specialized knowledge essential to the B.C. operation. They should be employed full-time and permanently at the B.C. operation.
3. Compensation Must be offered a wage consistent with industry standards and corporate compensation structures.

Exclusions: Key staff members will not be accepted if:

1. They are prohibited from entering Canada or are out of status.
2. They have an unresolved refugee claim or are under a removal order.
3. They are working in Canada without authorization.

Investment Requirements

1. Equity Investment: A minimum equity investment of $500,000 directed toward B.C. operations is required.
2. Job Creation: Create at least three new full-time equivalent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents per foreign key staff member proposed, up to a maximum of five key staff members.

Ineligible Businesses

The following types of businesses are excluded:

For the Foreign Corporation:

• Immigration-linked investment schemes.
• Businesses with redemption options or passive investments.
• Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms, 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 (except those adding value through repairs or refurbishing).
• Real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage, business brokerage, and goods trading businesses (unless value-added services are demonstrated).

Application Process

1. Exploratory Visit: Senior executives should visit B.C. to explore opportunities and the local business environment.
2. Proposal Discussion: Contact BC PNP to discuss the business proposal before applying.
3. Registration: Register your interest with BC PNP, providing company details, proposed investment, and key staff qualifications. A registration fee of $300 applies.
4. Invitation to Apply: If eligible, you will receive an invitation to apply. Submit a full application within 90 days.
5. Full Application: Submit a complete application package with all required forms and supporting documents. The processing fee is $3,500 for the company and $1,000 for each key staff member.
6. Performance Agreements: If approved, sign Performance Agreements with B.C. and ensure key staff arrive with valid work permits within 180 days. Submit an arrival report within 60 days of arrival.
7. Business Establishment: Fulfill obligations under the Performance Agreement and submit a final report. BC PNP may conduct site visits or interviews.
8. Nomination for Permanent Residence: If terms are met, key staff will be nominated for permanent residence. They must apply for permanent residence to IRCC within 180 days from the nomination date.

This stream is a robust mechanism to attract and retain key international talent while ensuring significant contributions to the local economy.