BC Entrepreneur Regional Category

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the EI – Regional Stream, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Personal Net Worth:

   • Possess a minimum personal net worth of CAD $300,000, legally obtained and verifiable.
     
      

2. Experience:

   • Within the last five years, have at least:
     • Three years as an active business owner-manager, or
     • Four years as a senior manager, or
     • A combination of one year as a business owner-manager and two years as a senior manager.
       
        

3. Education:

   • Hold a post-secondary credential, or
   • Have experience as an active business owner-manager with 100% ownership for at least three of the past five years.
     
      

4. Language Proficiency:

   • Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French.
     
      

5. Business Investment and Ownership:

   • Make a minimum eligible personal investment of CAD $100,000 in establishing a new business in a participating B.C. community.
   • Own at least 51% of the proposed business.
     
      

6. Job Creation:

   • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident within the business.
     
      

Application Process

The application process involves several key steps:

1. Identify a Participating Community:

   • Research and select a participating community in B.C. that aligns with your business interests. Each community has specific economic development priorities and may have its own administrative processes.
     
      

2. Exploratory Visit:

   • Conduct an in-person exploratory visit to the chosen community to gain firsthand experience and assess its suitability for your business and family. During this visit, meet with the community’s designated contact person to discuss your business proposal.
     
      

3. Community Referral:

   • After the exploratory visit, if the community supports your business idea, request a referral from them. A community referral is mandatory to register under the EI – Regional Stream.
     
      

4. BC PNP Registration:

   • With the community referral, register online with the BC PNP, providing details about your experience, net worth, and a business concept. A non-refundable registration fee of CAD $300 applies.
     
      

5. Invitation to Apply:

   • Registrations are scored, and top-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply. Upon invitation, you have four months to submit a comprehensive application, including a detailed business plan and supporting documents.
     
      

6. Application Assessment:

   • Undergo a review of your personal net worth by a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm and attend an in-person interview in Vancouver to discuss your business proposal.
     
      

7. Performance Agreement:

   • If approved, sign a Performance Agreement outlining the terms and conditions for establishing and operating the business in B.C.
     
      

8. Work Permit and Business Establishment:

   • Apply for a two-year work permit to implement your business plan. Within 12 months of arriving in B.C., establish the business, make the required investment, and create the mandated job(s).
     
      

9. Nomination for Permanent Residency:

   • Submit a final report to the BC PNP demonstrating that all Performance Agreement conditions have been met. Upon approval, receive a provincial nomination, enabling you to apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).