Requirements for Base Stream:

The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration program offers three streams for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to establish or take over businesses in British Columbia. To be eligible for the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Personal Requirements:

• Have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000
• Have business and/or management experience; if no business experience must have the equivalent of a 2-year post-secondary diploma
• Have basic English or French language skills equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher
• Have been lawfully admitted in the country where the applicant currently lives
• Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada

Business, Job, and Investment Requirements:

• Establish an eligible new business or buy and improve an existing business
• Make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business
• Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Application Process:

Following are the steps for the application process in the Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream:

1. Prepare a business proposal. Research what kind of business to propose, which location of B.C. would be a good fit for the business and if needed, get help from government resources, such as Starting a Small Business Guide.
2. Register the proposal with the BC PNP. Create a profile in BCPNP Online and complete the online registration.
3. Pay the non-refundable registration fee of $300.
4. Get a work permit. If the application is approved, then a letter of support will be provided by the BC PNP, which helps to get a work permit. The application for a work permit must be submitted within 90 days to the IRCC, enabling the applicant and their dependents to move to B.C. After getting a work permit, the applicant must arrive in BC within 12 months.
5. Proof of language skill must be submitted to show that your language ability meets a Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4.
6. Build the business within 20 months from the date of arrival in B.C. Implement, actively manage and meet all the performance expectations in the signed performance agreement.
7. Submit a final report to the BC PNP between 18 and 20 months after you arrive in B.C.
8. BC PNP will review and evaluate the final report. The applicant will be required to sign a Conditions of Nomination declaration. If satisfied that the applicant has met the performance agreement terms.
9. Receive the BC PNP nomination. After signing the declaration, the applicant will be issued a confirmation of nomination as a provincial nominee.
10. Apply for permanent residence to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Class.

Processing Times and Fees:

The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration: Base Stream has a non-refundable registration fee of $300 CAD and an application processing fee of $3,500 CAD, which can only be paid by a credit or debit card. The processing time is at least four months (from when the final report completeness is confirmed). However, processing times may vary for complex applications requiring additional documents/information.