The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration stream enables experienced business owners and senior managers to invest in and actively manage a new or existing business in BC. It is one of Canada’s most popular provincial entrepreneur programs, known for its structured scoring system, flexible investment options, and strong pathways to permanent residence.
Official Government page:
👉 Entrepreneur Immigration — Province of British Columbia
Program Overview
Applicants typically receive a temporary work permit to establish and operate their business in BC. After meeting performance conditions set out in a Performance Agreement, they may be nominated for permanent residence.
The program operates under three main categories:
- Base Stream — Start or purchase a business anywhere in BC.
- Regional Pilot — Start a business in smaller BC communities with local endorsement.
- Strategic Projects — For foreign corporations establishing operations in BC and transferring key staff.
Details:
👉 BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Categories
Investment and Eligibility Requirements
Requirements can change — always verify the latest on the province’s website. To qualify under the Base Category, typical criteria include:
- Minimum personal net worth of CAD 600,000
- Eligible business investment of at least CAD 200,000
- Minimum 33.3% equity ownership (or higher investment if lower ownership)
- Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Active management of the business in BC
- At least 3 years of business ownership or 4 years of senior management experience
Full Base criteria:
👉 BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration — Base Category
For the Regional Pilot (community-endorsed) stream, thresholds are generally lower:
- Net worth: at least CAD 300,000
- Investment: at least CAD 100,000
- Ownership: at least 51%
- Endorsement from a participating BC community
Regional Pilot info:
👉 Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
What Provincial Officers Look For
BC PNP officers assess whether the proposal:
- Advances BC’s economic development goals (job creation, innovation, regional diversification)
- Is commercially viable, with evidence-based market research and realistic forecasts
- Reflects the applicant’s sector experience and capacity to manage daily operations
- Provides measurable community benefit (local hiring, supply chains, unique offerings)
- Shows investment readiness and liquidity to execute the plan
- Meets local zoning, licensing, and sector regulations
- Has a sustainable plan with revenue, cost controls, and clear break-even timeline
The points grid typically awards marks for:
- Business concept quality (up to ~80 points)
- Ownership & job creation (up to ~20 points)
- Personal net worth, experience, and adaptability (up to ~120 points)
Why a Strong Business Plan Is Essential
Your business plan drives your registration score and the credibility of your application. It should demonstrate:
- Alignment with BC’s economic priorities and the selected community’s needs
- Appropriate investment structure, capitalization, and sources/uses of funds
- Accurate, well-supported financial forecasts (P&L, cash flow, balance sheet)
- Relevant experience and an operations plan that can be executed
- Defined setup timeline, hiring plan, and vendor/supply arrangements
- Long-term sustainability beyond nomination
The Role of The Biz Plans
At The Biz Plans, we build plans around how you will actually operate — not templates. Assumptions are tied to execution, and projections are built with CPA-level rigor. You have the final say on all inputs so the plan truly reflects your strategy.
Why us: Led by Atul Jagga, CPA (Ontario), RCIC-IRB, MBA (Finance, UBC) — 5+ years with a leading immigration law firm, 10+ years in corporate finance (incl. advisory with RBC & BMO), and 10+ years as fractional CFO. Author of the Business Plan Essentials series.
- BC PNP scoring-ready narratives and financials
- Market sizing using primary & secondary sources
- 3–5 year models with defendable assumptions
- Hiring and wage budgets aligned to cash flow
- Licensing, permits, lease/fit-out, and launch timelines
- Evidence checklist to support your counsel’s submission
How to Apply for BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration
- Research and develop a business concept aligned with BC priorities & (if Regional Pilot) a participating community.
- Register online and create your BC PNP profile.
👉 BC PNP Online Portal - Submit your registration and await an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Prepare your business plan & supporting documents — The Biz Plans can help meet provincial standards.
- Attend an interview with a BC PNP program advisor (if requested).
- Sign a Performance Agreement and receive a work permit support letter.
- Apply to IRCC for a work permit and establish your business in BC.
- After meeting performance terms, apply for provincial nomination and then permanent residence.
Additional Resources
- BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration — Overview
- Entrepreneur Immigration — Base Category
- Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
- Entrepreneur Immigration — Strategic Projects
Ready to Build Your BC PNP Plan?
We craft scoring-ready plans with CPA-built financials and province-aligned evidence.