BC Regional Entrepreneur

The British Columbia Regional Entrepreneur Program, officially known as the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) – Regional Stream, is a key immigration pathway designed to attract experienced international entrepreneurs to establish new businesses in smaller, regional communities across the province. This initiative aims to stimulate economic growth, create local jobs, and distribute investment beyond the major urban centers of Metro Vancouver.

To be considered for the EI Regional Stream, prospective entrepreneurs must meet several key criteria:

• Community Referral: Secure a referral from an enrolled B.C. community after an exploratory visit and presentation of a viable business proposal.

• Personal Net Worth: Demonstrate a minimum personal net worth of $300,000.

• Business Investment: Make a minimum eligible business investment of at least $100,000.

• Business Ownership: Establish a new business and hold a minimum of 51% ownership.

• Job Creation: Create at least one new full-time, permanent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• Experience: Possess sufficient business or senior management experience.

• Language Proficiency: Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.

This program provides a strategic opportunity for both entrepreneurs seeking a pathway to Canadian permanent residency and for British Columbia's regional communities to attract new investment and foster local economic resilience.

Phase 1: Preparation and Community Referral

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Step 1: Research and Confirm Eligibility The first step is for the prospective entrepreneur to thoroughly research the program requirements. This includes confirming you meet the personal criteria (net worth of at least $300,000, business/management experience, language proficiency) and the business requirements (minimum $100,000 investment, creation of at least one job). You must also research the list of enrolled regional communities and identify one whose economic priorities align with your business idea.

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Step 2: Conduct an Exploratory Visit This is a mandatory step. You must travel to your chosen B.C. community to conduct in-depth research. During this visit, you are expected to:

• Meet with the designated community representative.

• Present your business concept and discuss its viability.

• Assess the local business environment, market, and support services.

• Determine if the community is a good fit for you and your family.

Step 3: Obtain a Community Referral If the community representative believes your business proposal is a strong fit for their economic development goals, they may issue you a formal community referral. This referral is essential to proceed with the application.

Phase 2: BC PNP Registration and Application

Step 4: Submit an Online Registration With the community referral in hand, you can create a profile and submit a registration through the BCPNP Online portal. This involves providing details about your experience, net worth, and a business concept. Your registration is scored based on a points system.

Step 5: Invitation to Apply (ITA) The BC PNP periodically holds draws, inviting the highest-scoring registrants in the EI Regional Stream pool to submit a full application. An ITA is not guaranteed; it is based on your score and program capacity.

Step 6: Submit a Full Application Once invited, you have approximately four months to submit a comprehensive application. This includes a detailed business plan, supporting documentation, and a third-party verification report of your personal net worth from a qualified supplier designated by the BC PNP. You may also be required to attend an in-person interview in Vancouver.

Phase 3: Work Permit and Business Establishment

Step 7: Sign a Performance Agreement If your application is approved, you will be required to sign a formal Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia. This legal document outlines the commitments you must fulfill, such as your investment amount, job creation targets, and business establishment timelines.

Step 8: Obtain a Work Permit Support Letter After signing the Performance Agreement, the BC PNP will issue you a work permit support letter. This letter is crucial for your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a two-year work permit, allowing you to move to B.C. and start your business.

Step 9: Arrive in B.C. and Establish Your Business You must arrive in your chosen community and begin implementing your business plan. Within the first two months of arrival, you must submit an arrival report to the BC PNP. You then have 12 to 20 months to actively manage your business and meet the conditions outlined in your Performance Agreement.

Phase 4: Nomination and Permanent Residence

Step 10: Submit a Final Report After operating your business for at least 12 months and meeting the terms of your Performance Agreement, you must submit a final report to the BC PNP. This report provides evidence of your investment, job creation, and active management of the business. The BC PNP will assess the report and may conduct a site visit.

Step 11: Receive Provincial Nomination If the BC PNP determines that you have successfully met all conditions, they will issue you a provincial nomination certificate.

Step 12: Apply for Permanent Residence With the provincial nomination, you and your eligible family members can then apply to IRCC for permanent residence in Canada. The nomination significantly strengthens your application, but IRCC retains the final authority to issue permanent resident visas after conducting health and security checks.

Expense Category                               Estimated Cost (CAD)

BC PNP Fees (Registration + Application): $3,800

Net Worth Verification (Third-Party): $5,500

Work Permit Fees (Application + Biometrics): $240

Permanent Residence Fees (Application + RPRF): $1,525

Ancillary Costs (Language Test, ECA, etc.):$550+

​Professional Fees (Consultant/Lawyer): $8,000 - $15,000+

Exploratory Visit: $3,000 - $6,000+

Business Plan Development: $2,000 - $5,000+

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For individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada by starting a business, the EI Regional Stream provides a more accessible and supportive pathway compared to other business immigration options.

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• Lower Financial Threshold: The program requires a minimum personal net worth of $300,000 CAD and a minimum business investment of $100,000 CAD. These financial requirements are significantly lower than those for the general BC Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category, which demands a net worth of $600,000 and an investment of $200,000.

• A Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency: The program is a direct route to Canadian permanent residence. Upon successfully establishing and running the business for at least 12 months in accordance with a performance agreement, the entrepreneur can receive a provincial nomination, which is the crucial step toward applying for permanent residency.

• Built-in Community Support: A unique feature of this stream is the mandatory community referral. This means entrepreneurs are not just moving to a random location; they are entering a community that has actively endorsed their business concept. This built-in relationship with local economic development offices provides invaluable support, networking opportunities, and guidance.

• Reduced Competition and Niche Markets: By establishing a business in a smaller community, entrepreneurs often face less direct competition than they would in a saturated urban market like Metro Vancouver. They have a greater opportunity to fill a specific local need, create a niche service, and become an integral part of the local economy.