Entrepreneur Immigration B.C
If you want to immigrate to British Columbia as an entrepreneur, you have three options to choose from:
Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category
This category is for senior managers or business owners who intend to invest funds into a proposed business in British Columbia.
NOTE: New registrations under the Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category have been temporarily suspended. The province is expected to announce a reopening date for this stream in early 2022.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements of the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration — Base Category.
Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot
This new pilot is for international entrepreneurs looking to establish a new business in a small community in British Columbia.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements of the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot.
Strategic Projects Category
Through this category, foreign-controlled companies can set up an operation in British Columbia. Up to five key foreign managerial, professional or technical staff members can be nominated for permanent residence in the province.
Learn more about the eligibility requirements of the BC PNP Strategic Projects Category.
Entrepreneur Immigration Fees:
Registration: $300
Application : $3,500
Request for Review: $500
Strategic Projects Fees:
Registration : $300
Application : $3,500
Key Staff : $1,000 (each key staff )
Processing times:
Registration score notification: 6 weeks (from date of registration submission)
Application decision notification: 4 months (from date of application submission)
How it works:
If you are interested in the Entrepreneur Immigration Categories, you must first complete your registration and provide a short business concept through BCPNP Online.
Based on the information provided, you will receive a score. Eligible candidates are placed in the qualified pool. Periodically, the highest scoring candidates are invited to apply.
Once you are invited to apply, you will have four months to submit a complete application through BCPNP Online. After that, a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm must review your personal net worth.
If you are successful, you will then be given a two-year work permit and you will be allowed to establish your business in B.C. You will have up to 20 months to implement your business plan. You will then be able to receive a provincial nomination from B.C. and apply for permanent residence.
If you are interested in the Strategic Projects Category, you must first make sure that your company is eligible, and that your key staff are eligible.
You will be first required to make an exploratory visit to B.C. to learn more about the local business environment. You then have to contact the BC PNP to discuss your business proposal.
The next step is to register the company’s interest to apply. At this stage, you will be required to provide the company details, your proposed investment in B.C., and the qualifications of the proposed key staff.
B.C. will review your registration and if successful, you will be invited to apply. You must submit your application within 90 days. If your application is approved, you and each key staff member must sign a corporate Performance Agreement with the province.
Each of you will then receive a work permit support letter and you will be able to apply for a work permit through IRCC.
When you come to Canada and fulfill your obligations under the Performance Agreement, you must submit a final report to BC PNP. After that you will receive a provincial nomination and will have 180 days to submit your application for permanent residence with IRCC.
