BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration
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Entrepreneur Immigration
The Entrepreneur Immigration stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is a path to immigrate to Canada and settle in B.C. for experienced entrepreneurs who can support innovation and economic growth in the province. The Province recently launched a new Regional Pilot which is designed for entrepreneurs who propose to establish and actively manage new businesses in regional communities in British Columbia.
Categories & Eligibility
Full detailed information regarding these two programs can be found at WelcomeBC.ca/PNP
Choose this option if you want to establish a NEW business in Mackenzie!
This program targets entrepreneurs with a desire to start a business and settle in regional communities like Mackenzie. Entrepreneurs and business ideas would be required to meet the following criteria to apply:
- complete an exploratory community visit
- business fits within Mackenzie's key economic development industry subsectors:
- NAICS 1151 – Support activities for crop production
- NAICS 1153 – Support activities for forestry
- NAICS 2131 – Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction
- NAICS 7211 – Traveler accommodation
- NAICS 7225 – Full-Service restaurants and limited-service eating places
- minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments
- minimum personal net worth of $300,000
- minimum of 51% ownership
- minimum of 1 new local job created
As part of the exploratory visit, the foreign entrepreneur will present their business idea to the community’s designated contact person. If the business idea fits within Mackenzie's key sectors, then the contact person may prepare a referral form for submission as part of the applicant’s BC PNP registration.
Learn more:
Choose this option if you want to establish a NEW business or BUY a business in Mackenzie!
To qualify, you must:
- have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000
- demonstrate business and/or management experience
- have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
- minimum of 33.33% ownership
- minimum of 1 new job created
You must also have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently reside.
Learn more:
| Entrepreneur Immigration | EI Regional Pilot | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Communities | Any community across BC. No requirement for exploratory visit or meeting with community. | Population of fewer then 75,000 and not near a large population centre. Applicant must visit community and obtain a referral from the community. |
| Applicant Investment | Minimum $200,000 | Minimum $100,000 |
| Applicant Job Creation | At least 1 full-time equivalent for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada | Same |
| Applicant Net Worth | Minimum $600,000 | Minimum $300,000 |
| Language Proficiency Requirement | No requirement | Minimum of CLB 4 equivalent. Must submit copy of language proficiency test at registration. |
| Applicant Residency Requirement | Residence must be within 100 km of proposed B.C. business. | Business and residence must be within supporting community. |
| Eligible Type of Business | Successions (purchase of existing businesses) and start-ups in any sector. | New business start-ups only, consistent with community's priority economic development industry subsectors. |
| Applicant Ownership of Business in B.C. | Minimum 33 1/3% | Minimum 51% |
| Work Permit Period | May submit a final report 18-20 months after arriving on a valid work permit. | May submit a Final Report at lest 12 months after arriving on a valid work permit. |
| Applicant Management of Business | Applicant must demonstrate active and ongoing management of the business in BC. | Same |
Find Out More!
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How to Apply
Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot
Determine if you are eligible to apply to the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot.
Check requirements above and visit WelcomeBC.ca/PNP for full details.
Prior to registering you must receive a community referral. To obtain a referral, you must:
- Discover Mackenzie and explore the business supports and programs available to you as an entrepreneur!
- Learn about Mackenzie's priority industry sub sectors:
- NAICS 1151 – Support activities for crop production
- NAICS 1153 – Support activities for forestry
- NAICS 2131 – Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction
- NAICS 7211 – Traveler accommodation
- NAICS 7225 – Full-Service restaurants and limited-service eating places
Applicants are only eligible for the Regional Pilot program in Mackenzie if their proposed new business fits within the above key industry sub sectors.
Prior to registering you must receive a community referral. To obtain a referral, you must:
- Conduct an Exploratory Visit to Mackenzie
- Complete our Exploratory Visit Expression of Interest Form to request an exploratory visit.
- Propose and develop a business concept that aligns with a priority industry sub sector identified by the enrolled community.
- Meet with the designated community representative to discuss your business concept.
- Request a referral from the enrolled community so you may submit an online registration with the BC PNP.
Applicants are only eligible for the Regional Pilot program in Mackenzie if their proposed new business fits within the above key industry sub sectors.
If your business idea does not fit within the sub sectors, you may still apply through the BC PNP-Entrepreneur Immigration program.
Create a profile and submit an online registration to the BC PNP. Upon Registration you will be required to submit:
- a copy of your referral
- a copy of you official language test results
The registration also includes details about your work and/or business experience, education, language ability, your net worth, and information about your proposed business in Mackenzie.
After your registration is scored, the BC PNP will invite the highest-scoring registrants to submit full applications to the BC PNP. Registrations are typically scored within six weeks. You have four months from the date of your invitation to submit your application.
Submit a complete application to the BC PNP. You may be invited to attend an in-person interview in Vancouver to discuss details of your application. If your application is approved, you must sign a Performance Agreement that outlines all of the requirements you must meet in order to be nominated. Applications are typically assessed within four months.
You must arrive in B.C. with a valid work permit so you can begin to implement your business plan, make your investments, and create jobs. Your spouse or common-law partner is eligible for an open work permit for the same duration.
After you meet the requirements of your Performance Agreement, you must submit a final report (i.e. application for nomination) to the BC PNP. If the BC PNP determines you have met all of the criteria from you Performance Agreement, you, and your accompanying family members will be nominated for permanent residence. Final report are typically assessed within four months.
You may then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to become a permanent resident of Canada under the Provincial nominee Class. For permanent residence application processing times, please refer to the IRCC website.
How to Apply
BC PNP - Entrepreneur Immigration
Determine if you are eligible to apply to the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot.
Check requirements above and visit WelcomeBC.ca/PNP for full details.
Create a profile and submit an online registration to the BC PNP.
The registration includes details about your work and/or business experience, education, language ability, your net worth, and information about your proposed business in Mackenzie.
After your registration is scored, the BC PNP will invite the highest-scoring registrants to submit full applications to the BC PNP. Registrations are typically scored within six weeks. You have four months from the date of your invitation to submit your application.
Submit a complete application to the BC PNP. You may be invited to attend an in-person interview in Vancouver to discuss details of your application. If your application is approved, you must sign a Performance Agreement that outlines all of the requirements you must meet in order to be nominated. Applications are typically assessed within four months.
You must arrive in B.C. with a valid work permit so you can begin to implement your business plan, make your investments, and create jobs. Your spouse or common-law partner is eligible for an open work permit for the same duration.
After you meet the requirements of your Performance Agreement, you must submit a final report (i.e. application for nomination) to the BC PNP. If the BC PNP determines you have met all of the criteria from you Performance Agreement, you, and your accompanying family members will be nominated for permanent residence. Final report are typically assessed within four months.
You may then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to become a permanent resident of Canada under the Provincial nominee Class. For permanent residence application processing times, please refer to the IRCC website.