BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS IMMIGRATION

The Eligibility Requirements

 

• The personal net worth of minimum $600,000, legally obtained.

• Invest minimum $200,000 in an eligible new business or to purchase and improve an existing business in BC.

• Create at least one new full-time job in your business for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.

• Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing, BY THE TIME OF NOMINATION.

• Suitable business and/or management experience.

• Have, or be eligible for, legal temporary immigration status in Canada.

• Have been lawfully admitted to the country where you currently reside.

 

The Application Process

There are several stages for acquiring a permanent residence and settling in British Columbia through the Entrepreneur Stream:

​

​

The Eligibility Requirements for Candidates

​

• Net worth of minimum $300,000.

• Minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments. 

• Minimum of 51% ownership in the new business.

• Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

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

• Conduct an exploratory visit in the target community

 

The Eligibility Requirements for Communities

​

• A population of fewer than 75,000 people.

• Located beyond 30 km of a municipality of more than 75,000 people.

• Demonstrate capacity to support the entrepreneur through a network of established settlement and business support agencies.

Eligibility Requirements for Companies

​

• Make a minimum equity investment of $500,000.

• Create at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff).

• Establish or purchase and expand a company in BC.

 

The Application Process

​

1. Exploratory visit to BC

2. Discuss proposal with BC PNP officials and register the company’s interest to apply

3. Apply 

4. If approved, the company signs a Performance Agreement with BC. A work permit support letter is issued to each key staff member so they can apply for a two-year work permit from IRCC.

5. After the work permit is complete, if the company has met the terms and conditions of the Performance Agreement, the key staff members will be nominated for permanent residency.