British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program – Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category
British Columbia has always been a popular destination for immigrants. With reference to the Global Livability Index conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2020, Vancouver was voted as one of the 10 most livable cities in the world. The province’s entrepreneur nomination program has been divided into two streams: basic and regional pilot categories. The entrepreneur stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to operate their business in different communities across BC and have a positive influence in the labor market.
British Columbia has always been a popular destination for immigrants. With reference to the Global Livability Index conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2020, Vancouver was voted as one of the 10 most livable cities in the world. The province’s entrepreneur nomination program has been divided into two streams: basic and regional pilot categories. The entrepreneur stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to operate their business in different communities across BC and have a positive influence in the labor market.
Eligibility
Personal Requirements
- Age: No age limit
- Net Asset: Have a net worth of at least CAD 600,000, which may include spouse’s assets
- Management Experience: Achieved in the past 10 years
- At least 3 years of business management experience (10% or more ownership in business), or
- At least 4 years of senior management experience (supervising at least 3 full-time employees), or
- A combination of at least 1 year of business management experience and 2 years of senior management experience
- Education:
- At least 2 years of post-secondary education, or
- At least 3 years of full ownership and management of the company in the past 5 years (Full ownership of the business may be shared between you, your spouse or common-law partner, and/or your dependent children.)
- Language: Meet the minimum requirement of CLB 4 in English or French, which is required only at the time of nomination.
- Scoring: The total score is 200 points. EOI system is required.
Investment Requirements
- Invest at least CAD 200,000 to establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business in BC. Actively participates in day-to-day operations and management of the company in BC and creates at least one full-time position for permanent residents or citizens of Canada.
- If purchasing an existing business, the business must have been operated by the current owner for at least 5 years.
- Own at least 1/3 of the business; or if the personal equity investment is at least CAD 1,000,000 applicant may own less than 1/3 of the business.
- Operate the business for a minimum of 18 consecutive months
- Principal applicant must demonstrate BC residence for at least 75% of the time.
Accompanying Family Members
- Your spouse or common-law partner, and
- Your dependent child under 22 years old
Application Process:
FAQ
1. What will I need to provide to prove my personal net worth?
You must obtain a net worth verification report from a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm.
2. Will BC PNP consider the purchase cost of an existing business as an eligible investment?
The BC PNP may consider as an eligible investment the purchase cost of the business value up to CAD 150,000. The applicants must commit to making an eligible investment of at least CAD 50,000 to improve, upgrade and/or expand the business:
3. How about the purchase cost of a business vehicle, will it be counted as an eligible investment?
The BC PNP will not consider the purchase of a vehicle as an eligible investment unless the applicants can demonstrate that the vehicle is essential to the business, subject to a maximum amount of CAD 25,000.
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