You may choose from the following categories of the Entrepreneur Immigration stream:
- Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category: intended for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to establish new businesses or take over and grow existing businesses in B.C.
- Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot: working with regional communities, this pilot is intended to attract entrepreneurs to participating regional communities to establish new businesses that align with the communities’ economic development priorities.
| EI – Base Category | EI – Regional Pilot | |
|
Experience |
Within last 10 years: | Within last 5 years: |
| 3+ years of experience as a business owner-manager, OR, 4+ years of experience as a senior manager, OR, a combination of 1+ year of experience as a business owner-manager and 2+ years of experience as a senior manager | ||
| Net worth | At least $600,000 | At least $300,000 |
| Education | Obtained a post-secondary credential, OR, experience as an active business owner-manager for at least three of the last five years with 100% ownership in the business | |
|
Business proposal |
You must submit a business proposal to establish a new business or purchase of an existing business in British Columbia | You must submit a business proposal to establish a new business in British Columbia and be referred by an enrolled community |
| Ownership percentage | At least one-third (33.33%) | At least 51% |
| Investment | Minimum $200,000 | Minimum $100,000 |
| Job creation | Must create at least one full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of
Canada |
|
| Location | Anywhere in British Columbia | Participating communities |
| Exploratory visit
required? |
No | Yes. You must engage and visit an enrolled
community for support before registering |
|
Language requirement? |
Minimum of CLB 4 equivalent in English or French. Must submit a copy of valid language proficiency test results at final report (if not previously submitted) | Minimum of CLB 4 equivalent in English or French. Must submit copy of valid language proficiency test at registration |
| Partner with BC PNP co-
registrant allowed? |
Yes | No |
| Partner with a local
business/person allowed? |
Yes |
|
|
Registration scores |
Total 200 points (120 points for self-declared section; 80 points for business concept). Must score minimum of 32 points in business
concept section |
Total 200 points (140 points for self-declared section; 60 points for business concept). No minimum business concept score |
| Registration timeframe | Registrations are scored within six weeks | Registrations are scored within four weeks |
| Net worth verification | Yes, you must obtain a net worth verification report if you are invited to apply | |
| Application timeframe | Application decisions are typically made within four months | |
| Interview required for
approval? |
Yes | |
| Minimum amount of time to submit a final report |
18 months after issuance of a work permit |
12 months after issuance of a work permit |
| Fees | Registration: $300 Application: $3,500 | Registration: $300 Application: $3,500 |
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