BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration: Build a Business in BC, Earn Your PR
British Columbia nominates experienced business owners who start or buy a business in the province. The BC PNP has three entrepreneur streams: Base, Regional and Strategic Projects. We match you to the right stream and score your profile before you pay the $300 registration fee.
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What is BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration?
BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration is a British Columbia nomination route for experienced business owners who start a new business, or in the Base stream buy one, and run it in BC. You register online, are scored out of 200 points and, if invited, apply. After you run the business under a performance agreement, BC nominates you for permanent residence.
What happens if you pick the wrong stream?
Each stream has its own net worth, investment, ownership and score rules, and the $300 registration fee is non-refundable. The Regional stream also needs a community referral before you can register. We check your profile against all three streams first.
Why entrepreneurs choose BC
- Two main streams: Base for any BC location, Regional for lower capital in a participating community
- A regional entry point: $300,000 net worth and $100,000 invested
- A family route: your spouse or partner can apply for an open work permit once you hold your work permit
- A work permit first: you build the business in BC on a work permit, then BC reviews your final report for nomination
Is BC entrepreneur immigration right for you?
An honest check before you pay the $300 registration fee.
A good fit if you have
- 3 years as a business owner-manager, or 4 years as a senior manager, in the last 10 years
- A net worth of $300,000 (Regional) or $600,000 (Base) that you can document
- $100,000 to $200,000 to invest in a BC business
- A plan to live in BC and manage the business yourself, with CLB 4
Consider another route if
- You have no ownership or senior management experience
- Your idea is home-based, passive or not an operating business
- You want a job-based route, which may be faster through the skilled-worker PNP or Express Entry
Another route may fit better. See the skilled-worker PNP or Express Entry.
What every BC entrepreneur stream checks
Both main streams test the same five areas, with different minimums. BC publishes the rules on welcomebc.ca, and after nomination you apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
Business experience
3 years as an owner-manager, or 4 years as a senior manager, or 1 year as an owner-manager plus 2 years as a senior manager. Base counts the last 10 years. Regional counts the last 5.
Net worth
At least $600,000 for Base and $300,000 for Regional. It includes your spouse or partner and dependent children, and you must be able to verify where it came from.
Investment
At least $200,000 for Base and $100,000 for Regional, from your own funds, into one business location in BC after you arrive on your work permit.
Jobs and ownership
At least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or PR. You own at least one-third of a Base business, or at least 51% of a Regional business.
Language
CLB 4 in English or French. Base lets you prove it at the final report. Regional needs the test result when you register.
Not sure which stream fits?
Tell us your net worth, experience and the BC location you prefer. We match you to one stream and score your registration.
The three BC entrepreneur streams
Base Stream
For experienced owners who want any BC location, including Metro Vancouver. It needs $600,000 net worth, $200,000 invested and at least one-third ownership. You can start a business or buy one.
Regional Stream
For entrepreneurs who open a new business in a participating BC community. It needs $300,000 net worth, $100,000 invested, 51% ownership, a community referral and an exploratory visit.
Strategic Projects
For foreign corporations that set up a BC subsidiary or branch. It needs $500,000 of equity and at least 3 full-time jobs per key staff member, with $1,000 more per extra key staff.
Compare other routes
BC not the right fit? These pages cover other business provinces and the main skilled-worker routes.
Registration, the pool and your application
BC scores you first, then invites the highest-scoring registrants to apply.
Register online
Create a BC PNP Online profile and submit your registration. You must reach the minimum score in each section.
Scored out of 200
BC scores your business concept itself. Base needs 40 points there and 115 in total. Regional needs 105 in total.
The qualified pool
Registrations in the pool stay valid for 180 days. If BC does not invite you in that time, the registration expires.
Apply if invited
Invited candidates provide a net worth verification report, and an interview is part of approval.
Work permit letter
If approved, you sign a performance agreement and BC issues a work permit support letter, valid for 90 days.
Want your registration scored?
We model your points before you pay the $300 fee.
How BC entrepreneur immigration works, step by step
Six stages from choosing your stream to your PR application.
Choose your stream
We compare your net worth, experience, investment and preferred BC location against Base, Regional and Strategic Projects.
Prepare your registration
Gather your net worth proof, business records and business concept. Regional applicants also visit a community and collect a referral.
Register and pay $300
BC scores your registration out of 200 points. Qualified registrations stay in the pool for 180 days.
Submit your application
Pay the $3,500 fee, add your net worth verification report and attend the interview that is part of approval.
Sign your agreement and get your permit
Sign the performance agreement before you invest. BC then issues a work permit support letter, valid for 90 days, to apply to IRCC.
Build the business, then get nominated
Meet your milestones, send your final report and receive your nomination. Then you and your family apply to IRCC for PR.
After you arrive in BC
The work permit starts a 12 to 20 month build period.
Performance agreement
Sign it before you invest. Money spent before approval and a work permit is at your own risk.
Invest
Under Base, you make your minimum investment within 610 days (about 20 months) of arriving in BC.
Create jobs
Under Base, you create at least one new full-time job for a citizen or PR within 420 days (about 14 months).
Final report
Base asks for the report at least 18 months after your work permit. Regional asks at least 12 months after.
Apply for PR
After nomination, you and your family apply to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee class.
Want a second set of eyes?
We track your milestones from your first day in BC to your PR application.
Costs and timelines
Typical costs for a single applicant, confirmed during your consultation because government fees change.
Find your BC stream in 2 minutes
Answer a few short questions. The tool points you to the stream that fits your profile. It is general guidance, not a decision.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases, from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. Our team includes Rijah Amir, also a licensed RCIC, so every file gets a second expert review.
Licensed expert guidance
Advice from CICC-licensed RCICs, not sales staff or unlicensed agents.
A strategy built for your profile
We identify the fastest realistic pathway for you, not a template.
Application accuracy
Documentation review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track every draw, policy shift and IRCC announcement for you.
End-to-end support
From eligibility checks to landing, we guide every step.
Proven track record
2026 Canadian Choice Award winner, trusted since 1991.
What our clients say
Real reviews from clients we have guided to Canada and beyond.
BC entrepreneur immigration FAQs
What is BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration?
It is a British Columbia nomination route for experienced business owners who start a business in BC, or in the Base stream buy one. After you run the business under a performance agreement, BC can nominate you for permanent residence.
Which stream should I choose?
Choose Base if you want any BC location, including Metro Vancouver, and have $600,000 net worth and $200,000 to invest. Choose Regional if you will open a new business in a participating community with $300,000 net worth and $100,000 to invest.
How much money do I need?
Base needs a $600,000 net worth and $200,000 invested. Regional needs a $300,000 net worth and $100,000 invested. Strategic Projects needs $500,000 of equity in BC operations.
Does a BC nomination go through Express Entry?
No. After BC nominates you, you and your family apply to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee class. The entrepreneur streams do not use an Express Entry profile.
Do I need to visit BC first?
For the Regional stream, yes. You must visit a participating community and get its referral before you register. For the Base stream, an exploratory visit is strongly recommended but not required.
What does it cost?
Registration costs $300 and the application costs $3,500, and both are non-refundable. Strategic Projects adds $1,000 for each extra key staff member.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. The work permit support letter lets you and your dependants move to BC, and your spouse or partner may apply for an open work permit.
How do I get started with Amir Ismail and Associates?
Book a Strategy Consultation. In 30 minutes we match you to a stream, score your registration and give you a written plan.