BC PNP Regional Stream: Open a Business in a BC Community, Earn Your PR
The Regional Stream nominates experienced owners who open a new business in a participating BC community. You need $300,000 net worth, $100,000 to invest, 51% ownership and the community’s referral. We score your registration and prepare your community visit before you pay the $300 fee.
since 1991
What is the BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Stream?
The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Stream is a British Columbia pathway for experienced business owners who open a new business in a participating regional community. You need $300,000 net worth, $100,000 of investment, at least 51% ownership and a referral from the community after an exploratory visit. BC scores your registration out of 200 points, with no minimum score for the business concept.
What happens if the community will not refer you?
You cannot register without the community’s referral, and each community has its own conditions. Your proposal has to fit the community’s economic priorities. We help you research, visit and pitch before you ask for the referral.
Why owners choose the Regional stream
- A lower capital bar: $300,000 net worth and $100,000 invested
- No minimum concept score: you need 105 points in total to enter the pool
- An earlier final report: from 12 months after your work permit, against 18 for Base
- Community support: a local contact who knows the market you will enter
Is the Regional Stream right for you?
An honest check before you pay the $300 registration fee.
A good fit if you have
- 3 years as an owner-manager, or 4 years as a senior manager, in the last 5 years
- A $300,000 net worth and $100,000 of your own funds to invest
- A new business idea that fits a participating community’s priorities
- A CLB 4 test result, and a plan to live in the community
Consider another route if
- You want to buy an existing business, which the Regional stream does not allow
- You want to open in Metro Vancouver, which is outside the Regional stream
- You cannot visit a community or win its referral
Another stream may fit better. Compare the BC entrepreneur streams.
Regional Stream requirements
You must meet every requirement and prove it with documents. BC publishes the rules on welcomebc.ca, and after nomination you apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
Experience and education
3 years as an owner-manager, 4 years as a senior manager, or 1 year as an owner-manager plus 2 as a senior manager, in the last 5 years. Plus a post-secondary credential, or 36 of the last 60 months as a 100% owner-manager.
Net worth and investment
A net worth of at least $300,000 and at least $100,000 of your own funds invested in the new business.
Ownership and jobs
At least 51% of a new business, and at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or PR. You cannot buy an existing business.
Visit and referral
An exploratory visit to a participating community, then a referral from it. You cannot register without the referral.
Residence and language
Live within the community that supported you and be in BC at least 75% of the time on your work permit. A CLB 4 test result is needed when you register.
Not sure you qualify?
Tell us your net worth, experience and the community you have in mind. We score your registration first.
How BC scores your registration: 200 points
Experience and ownership: up to 24 points
Years as an owner-manager or senior manager, and the share of the business you own. More experience and a larger share earn more points.
Net worth and investment: up to 16 points
Net worth earns up to 6 points and your investment up to 10. Going well above the $300,000 and $100,000 minimums earns more.
Jobs: up to 15 points
The full-time jobs you plan to create for Canadian citizens or PRs. More jobs earn more points.
Location: up to 18 points
The population of your community earns up to 6 points and its BC region up to 12. Smaller, more remote communities score higher.
Adaptability: up to 67 points
Ties to BC and other personal factors that show you will settle well. This is the largest section of the Regional grid.
Business concept: up to 60 points
Commercial viability earns up to 30, transferability of skills 15 and economic benefits 15. There is no minimum here, and you need 105 points in total.
Compare other routes
Regional not the right fit? These pages cover the other BC stream, other business provinces and the main skilled-worker routes.
The community visit and your referral
Every Regional registration starts with a community. Each community has its own conditions and process.
Research
Review the participating communities on the BC PNP website, the businesses each one targets and how each describes itself.
Make contact
Contact the community to say you are interested and arrange an exploratory visit.
Visit
Visit the community and meet its designated contact to discuss your business proposal.
Get the referral
After the visit, request a referral. You need it to register under the Regional stream.
Take a language test
Book a test that proves CLB 4. The result must be valid when you register.
Need help choosing a community?
We match your industry and background to a community before you plan a visit.
How the Regional Stream works, step by step
Six stages from choosing a community to your PR application.
Choose your community
We match your industry, net worth and experience to the participating communities and score your registration.
Visit and get your referral
Visit the community, meet its contact, discuss your proposal and request the referral. Take your CLB 4 test too.
Register and pay $300
BC scores your registration out of 200 and needs 105 points in total. Qualified registrations stay in the pool for 180 days.
Submit your application
Pay $3,500, 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.
Open the business, then get nominated
Open the business, send your final report from 12 months after your permit and receive your nomination. Then apply to IRCC for PR.
After you arrive in BC
The work permit starts your build period in the community.
Performance agreement
Sign it before you invest. Money spent before approval and a work permit is at your own risk.
Keep your jobs
Employ the required number of full-time staff continuously for at least 180 days before you send your final report.
Live in the community
Live in the community that supported you and be in BC at least 75% of the time on your work permit.
Final report
BC asks for it at least 12 months after your work permit is issued, then decides on nomination.
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 the community to your PR application.
Costs and timelines
Typical costs for a single applicant, confirmed during your consultation because government fees change.
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.
Regional Stream FAQs
What is the BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Stream?
It is a British Columbia pathway for experienced business owners who open a new business in a participating regional community. After you run the business under a performance agreement, BC can nominate you for permanent residence.
How is it different from the Base stream?
Regional needs less capital, $300,000 net worth and $100,000 invested instead of $600,000 and $200,000. It also needs 51% ownership, a community referral, a CLB 4 test at registration and a new business.
Do I have to visit the community first?
Yes. You must make an exploratory visit to the community where you will open the business before you can request its referral. You cannot register without the referral.
Can I buy an existing business?
No. The Regional stream requires a proposal for a new business in the community. Only the Base stream accepts the purchase of an existing business.
Can I open in Metro Vancouver?
No. The Regional stream is for participating communities outside Metro Vancouver. Choose the Base stream if you want to open in Metro Vancouver.
When do I have to prove my English or French?
You need a valid test result showing CLB 4 when you register. That is earlier than the Base stream, which allows the result at the final report.
What does the Regional stream cost?
Registration costs $300 and the application costs $3,500, and both are non-refundable. IRCC fees apply separately when you apply for permanent residence.
How do I get started with Amir Ismail and Associates?
Book a Strategy Consultation. In 30 minutes we score your profile, shortlist communities and give you a written plan.