Immigrate to British Columbia: Entrepreneur Program

By Travis P March 27, 2025 5 min. read
british columbia canada entrepreneur program

The Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Program in British Columbia (B.C.) offers pathways for international entrepreneurs to establish businesses that contribute to the province’s innovation and economic growth. This “temporary to permanent” program allows approved individuals to initially enter B.C. as temporary residents and, upon successfully establishing their business, apply for permanent residency.​

BCPNP Streams for Entrepreneurs

  1. Base Stream: For entrepreneurs aiming to start a new business or purchase and enhance an existing one anywhere in B.C.​
  2. Regional Stream: Designed for those interested in launching a new business in smaller B.C. communities.​
  3. Strategic Projects: Allows foreign corporations to establish operations in B.C., bringing key staff members to manage the business.​

Base Stream Eligibility

Personal Requirements

Business, Job, and Investment Requirements

Fees

Application Process

Regional Stream Eligibility

This stream encourages entrepreneurs to start new businesses in smaller B.C. communities, promoting regional economic development.​

Personal Requirements

Business Requirements

Establish a new business aligned with the referring community’s priorities.

Community Involvement

Participating communities identify priority business types and seek entrepreneurs with relevant experience. Each community has its own administrative process and may charge service fees. Contact details are provided in each community’s profile.

Exploratory Visit

Prospective candidates must visit the community to assess its suitability for their business and family. During this visit, you’ll meet with community representatives to discuss your proposal and learn about local support services.

Community Referral

After the visit, if both you and the community believe it’s a good fit, the community may provide a referral, allowing you to register and apply for the EI Regional Stream. The decision to issue a referral rests with the community.

Participating Communities

Communities across various B.C. regions participate in the EI Regional Stream. Examples include:​

Strategic Projects Stream

The Strategic Projects Stream is a program that allows foreign businesses to expand into British Columbia (B.C.). If a company sees a great business opportunity in B.C., it can set up operations and bring up to five key employees to manage and grow the business. These employees can later apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Personal Requirements

Employees and staff members must:

Company Requirements

To qualify, the company must:

Who is NOT eligible?

Investment and Job Creation Requirements

Businesses that Do Not Qualify

Application Process for the Strategic Projects Stream

Step 1: Visit B.C.

A company executive should visit B.C. to explore business opportunities and understand the local market.

Step 2: Discuss the Business Plan

Before applying, the company must contact the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) to discuss its business proposal.

Step 3: Register the Business Proposal

The company must submit a registration with:

  • Company details
  • Investment plan
  • Proposed key staff qualifications
  • CAD $300 fee

Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply

If approved, the company gets 90 days to submit a full application. If not, it may reapply.

Step 5: Submit the Full Application

  • A complete package includes all necessary forms and supporting documents.
  • CAD $3,500 fee for the company
  • CAD $1,000 fee per key staff member
  • Key staff may need to attend an interview in Vancouver.

Step 6: Sign Performance Agreements

If approved, the company and key staff sign agreements outlining their responsibilities in B.C.

Step 7: Work Permit & Arrival in B.C.

  • Each key staff member gets a work permit support letter (valid for 90 days) to apply for a work permit.
  • Key staff must arrive in B.C. within 6 months of receiving their work permit letter.
  • They must submit an arrival report within 60 days of arrival.

Step 8: Business Establishment & Nomination for PR

  • The company must meet all commitments in its Performance Agreement.
  • B.C. officials may visit the business to verify compliance.
  • If everything is fulfilled, key staff members receive nomination for permanent residence.

Step 9: Apply for Permanent Residence

Each key staff member must apply for permanent residency within 180 days of nomination.

Are You Interested in One of BCPNP’s Entrepreneur Streams?

Contact VisaPlace today. All of our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Book a consultation with an immigration professional or FREE assessment and we will get back to you within 24 hours.

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