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Business Immigration

British Columbia

Minimum requirements

Popular business immigration programs for experienced entrepreneurs
and agricultural investors in the province

Base Category

Invest and settle anywhere in BC, rural areas will boost EOI score

Business management experience
3 years of work experience as a business owner, or 4 years as a senior business manager, or a combination of 1 year as a business owner and 2 years as a senior business manager within the last 10 years
Education
Equivalent to Canadian a post-secondary credential in Canada, unless having business owner experience for 3 years within the last 5 years
Net worth
$600,000 after debt deduction
Ownership
Purchase, establish or invest in a business in the province with a 33.33% ownership, may partner with 1 applicant
Investment
$200,000
Job creation
1 position full-time (not including family members)
Residential area
Reside within 50 km of the business in BC for at least 75% of the time while on a work permit
Language
CLB 4
Business Concept Score
Meet or exceed 32 points
Regional Pilot

Invest and settle in regional communities with a population under 75,000

Business management experience
3 years of work experience as a business owner, or 4 years as a senior business manager, or a combination of 1 year as a business owner and 2 years as a senior business manager within the last 10 years
Education
Equivalent to Canadian a post-secondary credential in Canada, unless having business owner experience for 3 years within the last 5 years
Net worth
$300,000 after debt deduction
Ownership
Establish a business in a designated community with at least 51% ownership
Investment
$100,000
Job creation
1 position full-time (not including family members)
Residential area
Reside within the boundaries of the community in BC at least 75% of the time while on a work permit
Language
CLB 4
EOI Profile
Meet or exceed 105 points
Exploratory Visit
Physically visit to the community
Community referral letter
Have a referral from the supporting community after having a discussion with the community representative
Strategic Projects

A foreign corporation with over 150 employees and annual revenue of 20M, wants to expand its core business by permanently transferring key staff

The employer
Investment
$500,000
Type of investment
Purchase or establish and expand an eligible business
Job creation
3 positions full-time for each foreign key staff
Key staff members
Workforce
Maximum 5 members
Current employment
In senior positions with relevant qualifications and experience qualifications that are essential to establish and operate the business in BC
Appointed position
Executive, senior managerial position, or specialized knowledge professional
Job offer
Permanent full-time with a wage that is comparable and consistent with industry

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive the invitation. Please refer the application process.

Application process

Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government

Exploratory Visit
Stage 1

Have an exploratory visit to the community, explore and discuss investment opportunities with local representatives, and obtain a referral.
Regional (Mandatory)

Profile submission
Stage 2

Create an expression of interest profile on BC Online when eligible. The profile is scored and ranked.Profile valid for 180 days

Provincial invitation
Stage 3

Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit the application within 120 days

Interview
Stage 4

Applicant is invited to an interview with a provincial official to discuss the application, business proposal and investment terms.

Investment decision
Stage 5

Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.Province reviews in 4 months

Work permit
Stage 6

The province provides a Letter of support for the applicant to complete their work permit application for business investment.Arrive in BC within 12 months

Business establishment
Stage 7

Submit an arrival report within 60 days after arrival, implement business plan and send the final report after 12 - 18 months.12 - 18 months in business operation

Decision of Nomination
Stage 8

After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.
IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months

Get PR Status
Stage 9

Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months

If a work permit is due to expire within 120 days, the applicant must contact the province for a letter of support to extend the work permit and complete the business plan.

After implementing the business plan on a work permit, the entrepreneur must submit a final report to the province after 12 months for the Regional Pilot stream, or 18 months for Base stream.

After registration, the province will calculate EOI score within 4 weeks for Regional Pilot stream, or 6 weeks for Base stream.

Success factors

Crucial elements affect the decision

Background elements
Settlement fund
Net worth
Age
Language
French
Canadian work experience
Education
Work experience
Management experience
Admissible
Residential area
Letter from employer
Occupation in Canada
Liquid asset
Field study in Canada
Community referral letter
Farm experience
Job offer
Investment value
Business proposal
Education in Canada
Investment region
Residential area
Exploratory Visit
Scoring factors

Base Category Stream

Management Experience & Ownership
0%
Personal net worth
0%
Investment value
0%
Job Creation
0%
Investment region
0%
Personal background
0%
Proposed Business - Commercial Viability
0%
Proposed Business - Transferability of Skills
0%
Proposed Business - Economic Benefits
0%

Regional Pilot Stream

Management Experience & Ownership
0%
Personal net worth
0%
Investment value
0%
Job creation
0%
Investment region
0%
Adaptability
0%
Commercial Viability
0%
Transferability
0%
Economic Benefits
0%

Adaptability generally includes but not limited to ties to the province (education, relatives in the province, work experience).
Personal background includes age, language proficiency, education and Canadian work experience.
Figures may be rounded for presentation purposes, please refer to federal or provincial government websites for the most accurate information.

Entitlement

Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents

Family-friendly
Family-friendly

The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children

Work and study
Work and study

Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program

Medical
Medical

Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian

Education
Education

Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education

Benefits
Benefits

Access to social benefits as same as Canadian

Mobility right
Mobility right

Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status

Sponsorship
Sponsorship

Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met

Naturalization
Naturalization

Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met

Specific requirements

Important requirements the applicant should note

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application

List of Ineligible Businesses

  • An immigration-linked investment scheme pursuant to Provincial Regulation S6(e) and the IRPR S87(5)(b) and as defined in IRPR 87(9), or
  • Any business where the terms of investment include a redemption option pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(d), or
  • Any business defined as a passive investment pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(c), or
  • Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses, or
  • Pawnbrokers, payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses, or
  • Tanning salons, DVD rental stores, coin-operated laundries, or
  • Automated car wash operations, scrap metal recycling, or
  • Trading of used goods (excluding value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing or recycling), or
  • Real estate brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage, or
  • Real estate development activities, or
  • Goods trading businesses, except value-added products or services, or
  • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services, or
  • Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of BC into disrepute

Basic requirements

  • 3 years of work experience as a business owner, or 4 years as a senior business manager, or a combination of 1 year as a business owner and 2 years as a senior business manager within the last 10 years
  • Have graduated an equivalent to a post-secondary credential in Canada, unless having business owner experience with 100% ownership for 3 years within the last 5 years, foreign education credential(s) must be assessed by Educational Credential Assessment

Language Proficiency:

Minimum CLB 4, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Investment requirements

  • Net worth including all assets owned by applicant and applicant-spouse after debt deduction, assessed by a BC PNP-authorized professional accounting firm
  • Not consider investment made prior to signing a performance agreement and obtaining a valid work permit
  • Establish or purchase an existing business with a 33.33% ownership
  • Invest at least $200,000 from personal net worth within 20 months on a valid work permit for business activities such as:
    ○ Purchasing of new equipment
    ○ Leasehold improvements
    ○ Marketing costs
    ○ Regular operating expenses (rent, wages, utilities)
    ○ Start-up inventory or new inventory related to an improvement/expansion plan
    ○ Purchase of existing business
  • Only consider the purchase price of a business up to $150,000 if purchasing an existing business, at least $50,000 must be invested in improvement, renovation and/or expansion of the business
  • Not consider the purchase of a vehicle unless it is essential to the business
  • Only consider operating expenses in a maximum of 6 months if establishing a new business, or 3 months if purchasing a business or franchising
  • Ineligible Investments:
    ○ Cash and working capital
    ○ Wage payments to the applicant and family members, or other business co-owners
    ○ Refundable deposits
    ○ Real estate and related fees
    ○ Immigration-related professional and government fees

Business requirements

  • Within 12 months from the date of the letter of confirmation, the applicant must arrive in BC with a valid work permit
  • Work Permit may be extended if the applicant still meets the terms and conditions of Business Performance Agreement
  • Only consider the Business Plan that contributes to the economic growth of BC
  • Reside within 50 km of the business in BC for at least 75% of the time while on a work permit
  • The business concept cannot be changed or modified after submission
  • Create 1 permanent full-time position for Canadian or Permanent Resident within 14 months after issuance of work permit
  • Justify the need to recruit high-skilled positions NOC 0, A, and B to increase EOI points
  • If purchasing a business, must maintain the number of existing jobs with a comparable wage
  • Maintain the number of jobs as agreed in Business Performance Agreement for at least 6 months after submitting the final report
  • The final report must be submitted within 18 - 20 months after issuance of work permit
  • To receive provincial nomination, the applicant must meet the terms and conditions set out in Business Performance Agreement

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application

List of Ineligible Businesses

  • An immigration-linked investment scheme pursuant to Provincial Regulation S6(e) and the IRPR S87(5)(b) and as defined in IRPR 87(9), or
  • Any business where the terms of investment include a redemption option pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(d), or
  • Any business defined as a passive investment pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(c), or
  • Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses, or
  • Pawnbrokers, payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses, or
  • Tanning salons, DVD rental stores, coin-operated laundries, or
  • Automated car wash operations, scrap metal recycling, or
  • Trading of used goods (excluding value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing or recycling), or
  • Real estate brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage, or
  • Real estate development activities, or
  • Goods trading businesses, except value-added products or services, or
  • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services, or
  • Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of BC into disrepute

Basic requirements

  • 3 years of work experience as a business owner, or 4 years as a senior business manager, or a combination of 1 year as a business owner and 2 years as a senior business manager within the last 5 years
  • Have graduated an equivalent to a post-secondary credential in Canada, unless having business owner experience with 100% ownership for 3 years within the last 5 years, foreign education credential(s) must be assessed by Educational Credential Assessment

Language Proficiency:

Minimum CLB 4, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Investment requirements

  • Net worth including all assets owned by applicant and applicant-spouse after debt deduction, assessed by a BC PNP-authorized professional accounting firm
  • Not consider investment made prior to signing a performance agreement and obtaining a valid work permit
  • Only allow investment into regional communities with a population under 75,000
  • Must discuss with the community representative and express an interest to invest in the community, and request a referral (valid for 90 days) from a community representative after a physical visit to the community
  • Invest at least $100,000 from personal net worth within 20 months on a valid work permit into 1 business location for business activities such as:
    ○ Purchasing of new equipment
    ○ Leasehold improvements
    ○ Marketing costs
    ○ Regular operating expenses (rent, wages, utilities)
    ○ Start-up inventory
  • Only consider a reasonable amount of start-up inventory for up to 3 months, depending on the industry, type of products, and size and scope of the proposed business
  • Not consider the purchase of a vehicle unless it is essential to the business
  • Only consider operating expenses in a maximum of 6 months if establishing a new business, or 3 months if establishing a new franchise
  • Ineligible Investments:
    ○ Cash and working capital
    ○ Wage payments to the applicant and family members, or other business co-owners
    ○ Refundable deposits
    ○ Real estate and related fees
    ○ Purchase of an existing business or business assets
    ○ Research and development expenses
    ○ Immigration-related professional and government fees

Business requirements

  • Within 12 months from the date of the letter of confirmation, the applicant must arrive in BC with a valid work permit
  • Work Permit may be extended if the applicant still meets the terms and conditions of Business Performance Agreement
  • Reside within 100km of the business in BC for at least 75% of the time while on a work permit
  • The business concept cannot be changed or modified after submission
  • Establish a new business with at least 51% ownership
  • Create 1 permanent full-time position for Canadian or Permanent Resident within 14 months after issuance of work permit
  • To receive provincial nomination, the applicant must create employment opportunities for at least 6 months prior to submitting the final report
  • Not consider any position with more than 10% ownership
  • Proposed wages must be consistent with the skill level of the positions created
  • The final report must be submitted within 18 - 20 months after issuance of work permit
  • To receive provincial nomination, the applicant must meet the terms and conditions set out in Business Performance Agreement

Priority Sectors by Regional Communities

RegionPopulationPriority Sectors
100 Mile House1,9806115 - Technical and Trade schools
311 - Food manufacturing
6216 - Home health care services
339 - Miscellaneous manufacturing
5413 - Architectural, engineering and related services
Mackenzie3,3801153 - Support activities for forestry
1151 - Support activities for crop production
2131 - Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction
7211 - Traveller accommodation
7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
Prince George 82,290337123 - Other wood household furniture manufacturing
337121 - Upholstered household furniture manufacturing
32199 - All other wood product manufacturing
493110 General Warehousing
531120 Leasing non-residential buildings
Quesnel11,559561 - Administrative and support services
611 - Educational services
722 - Food services and drinking places
Castlegar & Central
Kootenay (Areas I & J)
14,713321 - Wood product manufacturing
443 - Electronics and Appliance Stores
444 - Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
448 - Clothing and clothing accessories stores
451 - Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores
452 - General Merchandise Stores
453 - Miscellaneous Store Retailers
541 - Professional, scientific and technical services
713 - Amusement, gambling and recreation industries
722 - Food services and drinking places
Columbia Valley &
East Kootenay
9,4825416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services
7211 - Traveller accommodation
3116 - Meat product manufacturing
1112 - Vegetable and melon farming
Cranbrook21,502722 - Food services and drinking places
713 - Amusement, gambling and recreation industries
4452 - Specialty food stores
448 - Clothing and clothing accessories stores
451 - Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores
454 - Non-store retailers
5415 - Computer systems design and related services
6216 - Home health care services
Kimberley8,1513399 - Other miscellaneous manufacturing
6116 - Other schools and instruction
6117 - Educational support services
7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries
Nelson & Central
Kootenay
11,557334 - Computer and electronic product manufacturing
3219 - Other wood product manufacturing
5415 - Computer systems design and related services
Rossland4,0962361 - Residential building construction
2362 - Non-residential building construction
7211 - Traveller accommodation
7223 - Special food services
7224 - Drinking places (alcoholic beverages)
7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
5182 - Data processing, hosting, and related services
5191 - Other information services
3219 - Other wood product manufacturing
3329 - Other fabricated metal product manufacturing
Trail8,2504181 - Recyclable material merchant wholesalers
3313 - Alumina and aluminum production and processing
3314 - Non-ferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing
3315 - Foundries
5182 - Data processing, hosting, and related services
5191 - Other information services
2361 - Residential building construction
2362 - Non-residential building construction
West Boundary 2,1557139 - Other amusement and recreation industries       
32199 - All other wood product manufacturing
31199 - All other food manufacturing
54171 - Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
5615 - Travel arrangement and reservation services
Bulkley-Nechako39,713111 - Crop production (Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
112 - Animal production and aquaculture (Areas A, B, C, D, E, G)
1131 - Timber tract operations (Areas C, D, G)
1132 - Forest nurseries and gathering of forest products (Areas C, D, G)
1133 - Logging (Areas C, D, G)
1151 - Support activities for crop production (Areas A, E)
1152 - Support activities for animal production (Areas A,E)
1153 - Support activities for forestry (Areas A, E)
3211 - Sawmills and wood preservation (Areas B, C, D, E, F, G)
3212 - Veneer, plywood and engineered wood product manufacturing (Areas B, C, D, E, F, G)
3219 - Other wood product manufacturing (Areas B, C, D, E, F, G)
3391 - Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing (Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
3399 - Other miscellaneous manufacturing (Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries (Area B)
7211 - Traveller accommodation (Area A)
7212 - Recreational vehicle (RV) parks and recreational camps (Area A)
7213 - Rooming and boarding houses (Area A)
Burns Lake1,8694872 - Scenic and sightseeing transportation, water
4882 - Support activities for rail transportation
4871 - Scenic and sightseeing transportation, land
7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries
7212 - Recreational vehicle (RV) parks and recreational camps
Terrace 12,8173123 - Cannabis product manufacturing
2131 - Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction
321 - Wood product manufacturing
Fort St. John22,283722 - Food services and drinking places
4452 - Specialty food stores
44512 - Convenience stores
44619 - Other health and personal care stores
4481 - Clothing stores
4482 - Shoe stores
4513 - Book stores and news dealers
4531 - Florists
4532 - Office supplies, stationery and gift stores
8121 - Personal care services
Chase2,3007225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
721113 - Resorts
448 - Clothing and clothing accessories stores
452 - General Merchandise Stores
Clinton6544511 - Sporting goods, hobby and musical instrument stores
44611 - Pharmacies and drug stores
7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
Penticton45,792512 - Motion picture and sound recording industries
311 - Food manufacturing
5411 - Legal Services
5412- Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services
5413 - Architectural, engineering and related services
5414 - Specialized design services
5416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services
5417 - Scientific research and development services
5418 - Advertising, public relations and related services
5419 - Other professional, scientific and technical services
Salmon Arm19,2965416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services
5415 - Computer systems design and related services
71399 - Other amusement and recreation industries
333 - Machinery manufacturing
311 - Food manufacturing
Vernon44,1712361 - Residential building construction
2362 - Non-residential building construction
3112 - Grain and oilseed milling
3114 - Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing
3118 - Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing
4421 - Furniture stores
4481 - Clothing stores
4511 - Sporting goods, hobby and musical instrument stores
7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
Campbell River36,1673119 - Other food manufacturing
3212 - Veneer, plywood and engineered wood product manufacturing
7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places
5417 - Scientific research and development services
Comox13,8123113 - Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing
3114 - Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing
3364 - Aerospace product and parts manufacturing
5414 - Specialized design services
5415 - Computer systems design and related services
5417 - Scientific research and development services
7211 - Traveller accommodation
Mount Waddington11,0352361 - Residential building construction
238 - Specialty trade contractors
487 - Scenic and sightseeing transportation
512 - Motion picture and sound recording industries
711 - Performing arts, spectator sports and related industries
7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries
Port Alberni19,0603117 - Seafood product preparation and packaging
3121 - Beverage manufacturing
5112 - Software publishers
5182 - Data processing, hosting, and related services
51913 - Internet publishing and broadcasting, and web search portals
5415 - Computer systems design and related services
5417 - Scientific research and development services
Powell River13,86511251 - Aquaculture
721113 - Resorts
512 - Motion picture and sound recording industries
5415 - Computer systems design and related services
311 - Food manufacturing
48819 - Other support activities for air transportation
54169 - Other scientific and technical consulting services

1. Key staff members

Immigration eligibility

Staff members are not under any of these circumstances:

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application

Job position

  • Are working in a senior management position with essential qualifications and experience to establish and operate the business in BC
  • Are being appointed to an executive, senior managerial, or specialized knowledge professional position that is essential to business operation
  • Will be employed in a permanent full-time position
  • Are offered a wage commensurate with expertise and consistent with industry and company salary scale

2. The corporation

General requirements

  • Be a well-established and in good financial standing company
  • Demonstrate investment readiness and capacity for international expansion into BC
  • Bring significant economic benefit to the province by making a high value investment in BC
  • A successful profile is typically a multinational corporation with more than 150 employees and annual revenue of at least 20M
  • Must first contact the BC PNP to discuss the business proposal

The value of investment

  • Invest at least $500,000 directed toward business operation in BC
  • Purchase or establish and expand an eligible business in BC

The expansion project

  • For each foreign key staff member transferred, create at least 3 permanent full-time positions for Canadian and Permanent Resident
  • Are not on the list of ineligible business activities, such as:
    ○ An immigration-linked investment scheme pursuant to Provincial Regulation S6(e) and the IRPR S87(5)(b) and as defined in IRPR 87(9), or
    ○ Any business where the terms of investment include a redemption option pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(d), or
    ○ Any business defined as a passive investment pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(c), or
    ○ Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses, or
    ○ Pawnbrokers, payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses, or
    ○ Tanning salons, DVD rental stores, coin-operated laundries, or
    ○ Automated car wash operations, scrap metal recycling, or
    ○ Trading of used goods (excluding value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing or recycling), or
    ○ Real estate brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage, or
    ○ Real estate development activities, or
    ○ Goods trading businesses, except value-added products or services, or
    ○ Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services, or
    ○ Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of BC into disrepute

Business Establishment

  • The province will send full application to key staff members by email, and invite each key staff member to attend an interview in the BC PNP offices in Vancouver
  • The company representative sign a Corporate Performance Agreement with the province
  • After the interview, each key staff member will receive a letter of support to apply for a 2-years work permit and is also required to sign a separate Performance Agreement