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Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot

SIIS Canada  /  Canada Immigration  /  Provincial Nominee Programs  /  British Columbia – BCPNP  /  Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot (BC)

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.

Under this stream, investors/Entrepreneurs are allowed to establish a business in a community with a population of fewer than 75,000 located more than 30 kilometres. This program is a pilot project for two years and launched on March 14, 2019.

International entrepreneurs approved through the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Pilot will be eligible to get a work permit to settle and run a business in British Columbia for at least 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria
  • The personal net worth of a minimum of $300,000 which includes cash, assets in bank accounts, fixed deposits, properties, investments, etc.
  • 3+ years of experience as a business owner-manager, OR, 4+ years of experience as a senior manager, OR, a combination of 1+ years of experience as a business owner-manager and 2+ years of experience as a senior manager within the last five years.
  • 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.
  • Must submit a business proposal to establish a new business in British Columbia.
  • Ownership to the proposed business should be at least 51%
  • The personal investment of CAD $100,000 in eligible expenses
  • Must create at least one full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Minimum of CLB 4 equivalent in English or French.
  • The exploratory visit is mandatory before registering.
Community Requirement

The B.C. community must have a population under 75,000 and must be located 30 kilometres away from a city with more than 75,000 inhabitants.

Processing of the Application
  • Conducting business research. International entrepreneurs/Investors are required to conduct an exploratory visit to B.C. so they may learn about business opportunities and the local business environment.
  • The applicant needs to apply under BCPNP online for the Expression of Interest application. This system is on a point based on various factors which include ownership/senior management experience, personal net worth, adaptability, business concept and many other factors.
  • The highest-ranked applicants are receiving invitations to apply full application in periodic draws which are held by the BC PNP.
  • Applicants have four months (120 days) to submit a complete application with the net worth verification report by government authorized financial institutes under the Entrepreneur Immigration Stream.
  • Applicants may get an invitation to attend an in-person interview in Vancouver, BC during the application assessment stage. If an application is approved, the foreign investors need to sign a Performance Agreement and receive a Letter of Confirmation to apply for a two-year work permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  • After arrival in BC, entrepreneurs have 20 months to establish business and meet all the conditions which are signed in the Performance Agreement and demonstrate residency within 100km of the business. Within 12 months of work permit, entrepreneurs must submit a final report to the Government of British Columbia. BC nominates approved entrepreneur applicants with the confirmation of nomination letter to apply for permanent residence with family.
Ineligible businesses

The following types of businesses are ineligible under the BC PNP:

  • an immigration-linked investment scheme pursuant to Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation section 6(e) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) section 87(5)(b) and as defined in IRPR 87(9)
  • any business where the terms of investment include a redemption option pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(d)
  • bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses
  • A payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses
  • pawnbrokers
  • scrap metal recycling
  • coin-operated laundries
  • automated car wash operations
  • businesses selling used goods (excluding businesses that provide value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing or recycling)
  • real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
  • businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
  • any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the BC PNP or the Government of British Columbia into disrepute.
  • Seasonal Business

Government Fees:

Registration for EOI: $300

Application: $3,500

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