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Canadian entrepreneur immigration
British Columbia BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration
Start or buy a business in British Columbia and run it yourself, then apply for Canadian permanent residence once nominated by the province.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
Entrepreneur Immigration is the business category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). Applicants first come on a work permit to start or buy a business in British Columbia and run it themselves; once they meet their performance targets they are nominated by the province and apply for Canadian permanent residence. There are two categories: Base and Regional; a separate Strategic Projects stream is for foreign companies sending key staff.
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InvestmentFrom CAD 100,000
Net worthFrom CAD 300,000
LanguageCLB 4 or above
FamilySpouse and dependent children
Summary
The Base category requires a personal net worth of at least CAD 600,000 and an investment of at least CAD 200,000. The Regional category requires a net worth of CAD 300,000, an investment of CAD 100,000 and a referral from a participating community. You must run the business yourself for a period and submit a final report; once nominated, you apply for permanent residence.
Key benefits of BC PNP Entrepreneur
- PR for the whole familyOnce nominated, your spouse and dependent children under 22 apply for permanent residence with you.
- Two categories to suit your assetsBase: CAD 600,000 net worth and CAD 200,000 investment; Regional: just CAD 300,000 and CAD 100,000.
- Start a business or buy oneIn the Base category you can start a new business, or buy and grow an existing B.C. business.
- Language at CLB 4 onlyEnglish or French at Canadian Language Benchmark 4 meets the requirement.
- Arrive first on a work permitAfter signing a Performance Agreement you run the business in B.C. on a work permit; an eligible spouse can apply for an open work permit.
- Free public schoolingChildren of a parent on a work permit of one year or more, working 20+ hours a week, can usually attend public school free.
- Public healthcare on a work permitHolders of a work permit valid for six months or more can enrol in B.C.'s Medical Services Plan (MSP).
- Targets met in about 20 monthsSubmit your final report 18–20 months after arrival; if B.C. is satisfied the targets are met, you are nominated.
- A faster route to citizenshipDays in Canada on a work permit count as half days towards the 1,095 needed for citizenship, up to 365.
Why Global Immigrate for BC PNP Entrepreneur
- families approved
- 30+
- approval rate
- 94%
- offering this programme since
- 2018
Canada team support
Our Canada team helps with site visits, opening the business and compliance while you operate it, with regular performance check-ins.
Business plan and performance agreement
We prepare your business plan against the official scoring criteria and make sure your performance targets are realistic.
Planning beyond immigration
GI Group’s teams can handle pre-immigration tax, asset allocation, your children’s education and overseas property at the same time, so the arrangements never conflict.
Requirements
Investment options
Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.
- RegionalFrom CAD 100,000Business investment
- Personal net worth of at least CAD 300,000
- A community referral
- BaseFrom CAD 200,000Business investment
- Personal net worth of at least CAD 600,000
- At least one-third ownership of the business
- Strategic Projects (corporate stream)CAD 500,000Equity investment
- For foreign companies sending key staff, not an individual entrepreneur route
- 3 jobs created per key staff member
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- Relevant experience as a business owner or senior manager
- Language at CLB 4 or above
- Active, day-to-day management of the business
Investment rules
Investment requirements in detail
Under BC Entrepreneur Immigration, the investment must be completed within 610 days (about 20 months) of arriving in B.C. on a BC PNP-supported work permit, funded from your personal net worth and made in a single business location. The amount, jobs, location and deadlines are written into a Performance Agreement, and missing them can lead to refusal at nomination. The details below follow the Base programme guide; the main Regional differences are in the table.
Base
Personal net worthCAD 600,000
Minimum investment
CAD 200,000
Requirements and notes
Start a new business or buy an existing one; own at least one-third (below that, an equity investment of at least CAD 1,000,000 is needed); create at least one full-time job
Regional
Personal net worthCAD 300,000
Minimum investment
CAD 100,000
Requirements and notes
New business in a participating community of under 75,000 people, at least 30 km from a municipality of over 75,000; own at least 51%; exploratory visit and community referral (valid 90 days) required; create at least one full-time job
What counts
- New equipment, leasehold improvements, new marketing, start-up costs and new inventory
- Buying an existing business: up to CAD 150,000 of the business value (excluding professional fees), plus at least CAD 50,000 to improve or expand it
- Operating expenses: up to six months for a new business, or three months for a purchased business or new franchise location
- Inventory up to three months for a new business; a vehicle up to CAD 15,000, only if shown to be essential
What does not count, and limits
- Cash and working capital, including reserves and contingency funds
- Wages paid to yourself, family members or co-owners
- Refundable deposits, real estate and related fees, research and development, and immigration-related fees
- The minimum investment must come from your own documented funds; amounts above it may be financed externally, with the source and use explained
- A business you buy must have been run by the current owner for at least 60 months (five years), and you must commit to keeping the existing number of jobs; your registration must name the specific target business and all partners with their ownership percentages
Job creation
- Create at least one new permanent full-time-equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident within 420 days of arrival (an average of at least 30 hours a week and 1,560 hours a year)
- The job must have been filled continuously for at least 180 days before the final report
- Independent contractors and shareholders owning 10% or more do not count; staff must work at the main place of business, not remotely
- Wages must match the relevant NOC TEER level
Net worth verification and timing
- Net worth may include your spouse's and dependent children's assets, and must be lawfully obtained and verifiable; future inheritances do not count
- After the invitation, a BC PNP-authorised accounting firm must verify your net worth (allow up to 60 days); the report is valid for 12 months
- Apply for the work permit within the 90-day validity of the confirmation letter, arrive in B.C. within 365 days of it, and file an arrival report within 60 days of arriving
- File a post-arrival check-in within 365 days of the work permit being issued, and the final report 550–610 days after issue
- While on the work permit, be in B.C. at least 75% of the time, live within 50 km of the business by the shortest road route (no ferry over 30 minutes) and manage it day to day in person
Based on the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration programme guide (effective 27 May 2024) and WelcomeBC information as of November 2026; details may change, so check the latest B.C. announcements.
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
The three categories compared
| Category | Net worth | Minimum investment | Business location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | CAD 600,000 | CAD 200,000 | Anywhere in British Columbia |
| Regional | CAD 300,000 | CAD 100,000 | Participating communities outside Greater Vancouver |
| Strategic Projects | Foreign companies | CAD 500,000 equity investment | Anywhere in BC (sending key staff) |
Subject to the latest BC PNP announcements.
Free BC PNP Entrepreneur brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
Thank you — the brochure is on its way to your inbox
If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and exploratory visit1–3 monthsWe assess your eligibility and choose the category and type of business; the Regional category needs a community referral first.
- Registration and applicationBy invitationRegister your interest and apply once invited on the strength of your score.
- Work permit and running the businessPer your performance agreementSign a performance agreement, then start or buy a business in British Columbia on a work permit and run it yourself.
- Nomination and permanent residenceAbout 4 years in totalSubmit your final report, receive a provincial nomination and apply for permanent residence. It usually takes about four years from registration to permanent residence.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Work permitUsually about 4–6 months after the invitation (unofficial estimate)
Move to Canada on a work permit to start or buy the business; an eligible spouse can get an open work permit (since 21 January 2025 you must work in a TEER 0/1 or selected TEER 2/3 job with at least 16 months left on your permit, and dependent children no longer qualify for one), and children can study locally.
While on this statusWhile on the work permit, live within 50 km of the business (by the shortest road route), manage it actively and be in BC at least 75% of the time
- Permanent residenceFederal PR after provincial nomination
After operating for about 18–20 months and meeting the performance agreement, you are nominated and apply for federal PR (about 4 years from registration); your family receives Canadian permanent residence.
Keeping permanent statusAt least 730 days (2 years) physically in Canada in any 5-year period; the days need not be continuous
- Canadian citizenshipAbout 3 years after PR
Apply to become a Canadian citizen and get a Canadian passport; ages 18–54 must show English or French and pass the citizenship test. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Residence for citizenshipAt least 1,095 days (3 years) physically in Canada in the 5 years before applying, filing taxes for 3 of those years
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
BC PNP Entrepreneur client stories
Client storyOpening a café in a small town under BC’s Regional category
Mr Lin’s BC PNP Entrepreneur experience. He wanted to live in a quieter community.
Read the full storyClient storyFinding the right business in a BC regional community, then provincial nominationMr Wong’s BC PNP Entrepreneur experience. He wanted to start a business in a regional BC community.
Read the full storyClient storyQuarterly progress checks, and the final report passed first timeMs Lee’s BC PNP Entrepreneur experience. She wanted permanent residence through BC’s entrepreneur stream.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Canada
See the Canada overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia BC PNP Entrepreneur ImmigrationThis programme | From CAD 200,000 (Regional CAD 100,000) | Permanent resident | About 4 years from registration to PR | Running a business in British Columbia, including around Vancouver |
| Alberta AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream | CAD 100,000 (CAD 50,000 outside Calgary/Edmonton) | Permanent resident | Nomination after at least 12 months of operation | Graduates with a degree from outside Canada launching an innovative business |
| New Brunswick NB Business Immigration | CAD 150,000 | Permanent resident | Depends on invitation and business progress | A lower cost of living and a slower pace of life |
| Canada Federal Start-up Visa (SUV) | No investment requirement | Permanent resident | Paused for new applications | Clients who have already filed and need support with work permits and requests for information |
BC PNP Entrepreneur FAQ
How do I choose between Base and Regional?
The Regional category needs less capital, but you must open your business in a participating community and receive its referral; the Base category offers more flexibility on location but needs more capital.
Do I have to run the business myself?
Yes. You must take an active management role in the business and live in British Columbia.
Can my whole family move with me?
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can be included, and an eligible spouse can apply for an open work permit during the process.
Sources
GI GroupAfter your new status: tax, succession, education and overseas property
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