Home / British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream (BCER)

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream (BCER)

Class

Section

SUMMARY

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)

This program is for experienced business owners or senior business managers who want to live in regional communities in British Columbia with population of less than 75,000. They must start a new business and must actively participate in the day-to-day management of the business.

Approved applicants must establish and operate a business in a regional community in BC on a Work Permit (WP) before being nominated for permanent resident status in Canada.

Application to the stream is by invitation only. You should first complete the online Expression of Interest (EOI). Selected applicants will be invited to apply for the program based on the information they enter online. You cannot apply directly to this program unless you are invited to apply.

Regional Stream is one of the three (3) Entrepreneur Immigration streams, which also includes Base stream (➨Page) and the Strategic Projects stream (➨Page).

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

BC-SA

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

You must meet the following requirements:

1- Business Experience

You must have a minimum of:

more than three (3) years of experience during the past five (5) years as an active business owner-manager of a company for which you have held ten per cent (%10) or more ownership; OR
more than four (4) years of experience during the past five (5) years as a senior manager for a company/organization (with no business ownership, or business ownership of less than ten per cent) supervising at least three (3) full-time employees, and your NOC is TEER 0 or 1; OR
a combination of at least one (1) year of experience as an active business owner-manager and at least two (2) years of experience as a senior manager.

2- Net Worth

You must have net worth of at least $300,000 CAD, which includes your spouse or common-law partner, and your dependent children, if applicable.

3- Language Ability

You must have an approved test results taken within the past two (2) years and meet the minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark CLB 4 in all for abilities in English or French (➨Appendix 5).

You must demonstrate your language proficiency at the time of registration (EOI).

4- Education

You must have one of the following:

A post-secondary credential (such as a degree, diploma or certificate from a licensed postsecondary institution); OR
Experience as an active business owner-manager with 100 per cent ownership of the business for at least three (3) of the past five (5) years. The 100 per cent ownership of the business may be shared between you, your spouse or common-law partner, and/or your dependent child(ren).

5- Ineligibility

You are not eligible to apply under the British Columbia Entrepreneur Stream if:

You had a previous approval cancelled by the BCPNP
You have, in the two (2) years immediately before the date of the application, been found by the BCPNP to have made a misrepresentation in a previous application
You have another active application and/or registration with BCPNP
You are a refugee claimant in Canada, a failed refugee claimant, had a removal order, are prohibited from entering or being in Canada, do not have status in Canada or are living illegally in your country of residence.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

BC-MRA

BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify as an eligible business under the Entrepreneur program – Regional Stream, you must have an intention to buy or establish a business in British Columbia that meets the following criteria:

1- Business Investment

You must make an eligible personal investment of at least $100,000 in the proposed business within 20 months of arriving in BC on a work permit.

Eligible investment may include new equipment purchases, leasehold improvements, vehicle, new marketing costs, regular operating expenses such as rent, wages, utilities, etc. and start-up inventory.

2- Business Ownership

You must own at least fifty one percent (51%) of the equity of a business in British Columbia.

3- Type of Business

You must establish a business in a participating community in a business that aligns with one of the economic development priorities identified by the community. Participating communities are listed here (➨immilib.com/BCER-Communities).

The business purpose must be to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods and/or services.

Franchises may be considered as eligible businesses if the proposed franchise is well-established.

Seasonal businesses are not eligible unless the proposed business operates for at least eight (8) months per year.

The following types of businesses are not eligible under the Regional Stream of British Columbia Entrepreneur Stream:

An immigration-linked investment scheme
Any business where the terms of investment include a redemption option
Any business that may be a passive investment
Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses
Payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses
Pawnbrokers
Tanning salons
DVD rental stores
Coin-operated laundries
Automated car wash operations
Scrap metal recycling
Businesses selling used goods (excluding businesses that provide value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing or recycling)
Real estate brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
Real estate development activities
Goods trading businesses (e.g. import/export), unless value add is demonstrated
Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services
Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the BCPNP or the Government of British Columbia into disrepute

For highly regulated industries you must properly address the regulatory requirements of doing business in the proposed industry. Examples of highly regulated industries include, but are not limited to:

Agriculture, agri-food & aquaculture
Cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol production, distribution or retailing
Child care, schools and educational institutions
Financial services and trading
Forestry and mining
Healthcare and life sciences
Oil and gas
Passenger transportation
Pharmacology
Residential care facilities
Telecommunications

4- Job Creation

You must create at least one (1) permanent full-time job (or equivalent) for Canadian citizens or permanent residents within 14 months of arriving in BC on a work permit.

5- Active Management

You must provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business at the business site.

CALCULATE YOUR SCORE

If you meet all above minimum requirements, then calculate or estimate your total score based on the following selection factors (➨immilib.com/BCER-Grid).

There is no minimum required total score. Candidates will be ranked against each other and only top ranked candidates will be invited to apply. A draw will occur with only the top ranked candidates being selected and issued an invitation to apply.

The British Columbia Entrepreneur Stream – Regional Stream selection factors may be summarized as follows:

Selection Factor	Maximum Points
Self-declared Factors:
Factor1: Experience & Ownership	24
Factor 2: Net Worth	6
Factor 3: Investment Amount	10
Factor 4: Jobs	15
Factor 5: Community Population	6
Factor 6: Business Location	12
Adaptability Factors:
Factor 7: Language	23
Factor 8: Education	16
Factor 9: Age	16
Factor 10: Canadian Experience	8
Factor 11: Family in the Community	4
Business Concept:
Factor 12: Commercial Viability	30
Factor 13: Transferability of Skills	15
Factor 14: Economic Benefits	15
Maximum Points Total	164
Selection Pass Mark	Varies *
* For latest draws go to (➨immilib.com/BCER-Draws)

Self-declared Factors:

Factor 1: Business Experience

You may claim up to the maximum of 22 points based on your business experience. The number of points is based on your past business ownership experience and / or senior management experience in the last five (5) years.

You must score at least 8 points to meet the minimum requirements for this factor.

Business Experience	Duration	Points
Business owner-manager experience	60 months or more	22
	49 to 59 months	19
	37 to 48 months	16
	25 to 36 months	12
	12 to 24 months	7
	Less than 12 months	0
Senior manager work experience	60 months or more	12
	49 to 59 months	8
	25 to 48 months	4
	Less than 24 months	0

In addition, you will be awarded points if you have owned 100 per cent of a business for at least three (3) of the most recent five (5) years. The 100 per cent ownership of the business may be shared between you, your spouse or common-law partner, and/or your dependent child(ren).

%100 Ownership in the Last 5 Years	Points
3 Years or more	2
Less than 3 years	0

Factor 2: Net Worth

You will receive up to maximum of 6 points based on your total personal net worth including that of your spouse or common-law partner, and/or your dependent children, if applicable.

You must score at least 2 points to meet the minimum requirements for this section.

Business Experience	Duration	Points
Total cash and liquid funds	$200,000 or more	3
	$50,000 to $199,999	2
	$10,000 to $49,999	1
	Less than $10,000	0
Total personal net worth	$1,000,000 or more	2
	$300,000 to $999,999	3
	Less than $300,000	Not Eligible

Factor 3: Investment Amount

You may claim up to 10 points based on the total personal investment amount that will be made into your proposed business.

You must score at least 6 points to meet the minimum requirement for this section.

Net Worth	Points
$600,000 CAD or more	10
$350,000 CAD to $599,999 CAD	8
$100,000 CAD to $349,999 CAD	6
Less than $100,000	Not Eligible

Factor 4: Jobs

You will receive up to 15 points based on your proposed full-time equivalent (FTE) job creation.

You must score at least 10 points to meet the minimum requirement for this section.

Number of Full-time Jobs	Points
8 or more	15
5 – 7	13
2 – 4	11
1	10
Less than 1	Not Eligible

Factor 5: Community Population

You may claim up to 6 points based on the population of the community you proposed business will be established.

Business location	Points
Population of 5,000 or less	6
5,000 to 9,999	5
10,000 to 14,999	4
15,000 to 19,999	3
20,000 to 39,999	2
40,000 to 75,000	1

Factor 6: Business Location

You may claim up to 12 points based on your proposed business location.

Business location	Points
Northeast, North Coast, Nechako	12
Kootenay, Cariboo	10
Thompson-Okanagan	6
Vancouver Island and Coast	2
Lower Mainland / Southwest	1

Adaptability Factors:

Factor 7: Language

You may claim up to 23 points based on your proficiency in English or French. To be awarded point for language, you must have taken an approved test results (➨Appendix 5).

Test must be taken no more than two (2) years prior to the date the EOI is submitted (registration).

Language	Points
CLB 7 or higher	23
CLB 6	15
CLB 5	10
CLB 4	5
CLB 3 or less	Not Eligible

To prove you language abilities you must take any of the following approved tests:

English: IELTS General or CELPIP General or PTE Core
French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada

Factor 8: Education

You will be awarded points for your Canadian educational credential or foreign credential accompanied by Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report (➨Appendix 3).

Level of Education	Points
Doctorate / PhD	16
Master’s degree	16
Post-secondary degree / diploma	14
Bachelor’s degree	14
Diploma / certificate (trade of non-trade)	6
Associate degree	6
No post-secondary education	0

The ECA Report must not be more than five (5) years old prior to the date the EOI is submitted.

Factor 9: Age

You’ll get points based on your age on the day you submit your EOI.

Age	Points
Under 25	2
25-29	8
30-44	16
45-54	10
55-64	4
65 or older	0

Factor 10: Canadian Experience

You may receive points for your previous work or secondary/post-secondary studies in the last ten (10) years in Canada.

Canadian Experience	Points
At least 24 months of work experience, business experience or studies in Canada	8
At least 12 months of work experience, business experience or studies in Canada	4
No Canadian experience	0

Factor 11: Family in the Community

You may claim points if you have immediate family member living in the community for at least 12 months.

Immediate family members include your spouse or common-law partner, mother, father, sister(s), brother(s), child(ren), mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister(s)-in-law, and brother(s)- in-law.

Family in the Community	Points
Yes	4
No	0

Business Concept Factors:

The business concept factors give you points based on your proposed business plan.

Unlike the Base stream, you will need to score a minimum point score in this stream to be qualified in the EOI selection pool.

Factor 12: Commercial Viability

Business Model: You will be awarded points based on how your proposed business will generate revenue and profit, and how the business will be viable and have the potential for sustained commercial success under your management.

Business Model	Points
Excellent	12
Fair / Good	8
Unsatisfactory / Unclear	1

Market and Product/Services: You will be awarded points based on effectiveness of your market entry strategy to show how your proposed business will be successful in British Columbia.

Market and Product	Points
Satisfactory and consistent with Business Model	4
Unsatisfactory	1

Eligible Personal Investment: You will receive points for your proposed eligible personal investment based on the following table:

Eligible Personal Investment	Points
$800,000 or more	4
$500,000 to $799,999	3
$300,000 to $499,999	2
$100,000 to $299,999	1
Less than $100,000	Not Eligible

Assessment of Proposed Personal Investment: You will be awarded points based on how you intend to allocate your capital investment to grow and expand the proposed business.

Assessment of Proposed Personal Investment	Points
Investment proposal corresponds to the type and scale of the business, the market, the proposed products and/or services, the business model, and the industry standard	8
Investment proposal corresponds to the type and scale of the business	5
Investment proposal does not correspond to the type or scale of the business	0

Ownership Percentage: You will receive points for ownership percentage based on the following table:

Ownership Percentage	Points
100% ownership	2
51% to 99.99% ownership	1
Less than 51% ownership	Not Eligible

Factor 13: Transferability of Skills

You may claim maximum of 15 points based on your business owner-manager experience and / or senior manager experience in the last five (5) years according to the following table.

Business Owner-Manager Experience	Points
60 months or more direct experience	15
60 months or more related experience	12
36 to 59 months direct experience	10
36 to 59 months related experience	6
12 to 35 months direct experience	5
12 to 35 months related experience	2
Less than 12 months	0
Senior Manager Experience (or ownership of less than %10)	Points
60 months or more direct experience	10
60 months or more related experience	8
36 to 59 months direct experience	6
36 to 59 months related experience	5
12 to 35 months direct experience	4
12 to 35 months related experience	1
Less than 12 months	0

If you have both business owner-manager and senior manager work experience during the most recent 60-month period, points will be assigned for the most relevant experience that is not duplicated or overlaps in time with other experience claimed.

Factor 14: Economic Benefits

Significant Economic Benefits: The following are significant economic benefits that the proposed business may demonstrate:

Adopting new technology
Developing new products & services
Developing innovative approaches to traditional businesses
Increasing exports
Increasing research and development, and technology commercialization
Indigenous Peoples and First Nations
Providing products or services to an under-served local or regional market
Transferring technology and specialized knowledge to BC.

Key Sector / Significant Economic Benefits	Points
Substantiates at least 1 significant economic benefit	5
Does not identify or substantiate any significant economic benefits	0

Jobs Assessment: You may receive points for your jobs plan based on the type and scope of the proposed business, the market, the proposed products and/or services, the business model, and the industry standard.

Jobs Assessment	Points
Jobs plan corresponds to the type and scale of the business	10
Jobs plan does not correspond to the type and scale of the business	1
The business concept does not support the creation of at least 1 FTE position	Not Eligible

Your Total Score

You may compare your score with previous rounds of invitations to see how likely you are to get an invitation in the next round. The previous rounds of invitation are being regularly posted at immilib.com/BCER-Draws.

GCYSA

BC-CYSA

WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

If you meet all the requirements and if you believe you are likely to be invited based on your score, you can start the process to apply under British Columbia Entrepreneur Stream – Regional Stream.

Step 1: Exploratory Visit

Under Entrepreneur stream – Regional Stream, the exploratory visit is mandatory. You must identify a participating community listed on the BCPNP website. You must conduct an exploratory visit to the community in order to learn more about the community and to discuss your business proposal with the designated community contact.

After your visit, you may request a referral from the community in order to register under the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream. Participating communities are listed here (➨ immilib.com/BCER-Communities).

During your exploratory visit, you must:

meet with designated community contact person to discuss your business proposal, including your suitability.
investigate and evaluate potential business opportunities
conduct market research
make local business contacts
learn more about living and doing business in BC, and gain a better understanding of our health care and education programs, housing, culture, recreation opportunities, and lifestyles.

To find out how you can travel to Canada for a temporary visit (➨Page).

Step 2: Obtain a referral from the community

In order to be able to register under the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream, you must obtain a referral from the supporting community.

A referral from the supporting community is a form that describes information about your proposed business in the community, including details about your exploratory visit to the community. A referral is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

You may request a referral only after you have conducted an exploratory visit to the community and met with the designated community contact person.

Step 3: Submit an Online BCPNP Expression of Interest (Online Registration)

Now that you meet all the requirements, you can register at BCPNP Online portal and complete an online Expression of Interest (EOI) (➨immilib.com/BCER-Apply). This includes providing a valid referral form from the community. There is a non-refundable registration fee of $300.

To complete the EOI, you’ll need information from some documents including passports, language test results, etc. But you don’t need to upload any documents.

Within the BCPNP Online portal you must choose the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream and follow the instructions to submit the Expression of Interest (EOI).

The BCPNP will verify the information you provide in your registration and may adjust your self-declared score if necessary.

Recent Draws – BCPNP Entrepreneur –Regional Stream
Date of Draw	No. of ITA *	Min. Score
Nov 5, 2024	<5	130
Aug 13, 2024	<5	122
Jun 25, 2024	<5	141
May 14, 2024	<5	113
Apr 16, 2024	<5	119
Feb 27, 2024	<5	106
Jan 16, 2024	<5	135
Oct 24, 2023	<5	112
Sep 12, 2023	<5	126
Aug 1, 2023	<5	117
Updates and Complete list of previous Draws available at: immilib.com/BCER-Draws

The business concept section will be scored by the BCPNP. The BC PNP will verify the scoring in all sections to finalize your registration score, typically within four (4) weeks.

Registrations that meet the total minimum points in every section will be entered into the qualified pool. Registrations in the qualified pool are valid for 180 days (approximately 6 months). If you are not invited to apply to the BCPNP within 180 days of qualifying, your registration will expire.

If your EOI is selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) letter. Selection is based on nominee program targets and an assessment of your EOI.

You have 120 calendar days to submit your online application from the date of your invitation to apply.

Step 4: Prepare Documents

In addition to the applications forms and supporting documents, before submission of complete application, you need to obtain a Business Establishment Plan and a Net Worth Verification Report.

1. Business Plan

You will need to submit a Business Plan as part of your application. You must submit a business plan that demonstrates that the business will be viable and likely to provide material economic benefit to the economy of British Columbia as a whole or to the local economy where the business will be located.

Your business plan will be reviewed to ensure that it meets program requirements and the commitments made in your EOI. Thus, this document should be drafted as an essential component of your application.

2. Net Worth Verification Report

As part of your application, you must provide a Net Worth Verification Report. This report must be prepared by one of designated Net Worth Verifiers. These verifiers are experts in assessing net worth and legal accumulation of net worth.

Please ensure that you hire a vendor as soon as possible once you have been invited to apply in order to meet the 120 day submission deadline.

List of BCPNP Designated Net Worth Verifiers

Grant Thornton

Suite 1600, 333 Seymour Street,

Vancouver, BC V6B 0A4

(604) 687-2711

BCPNPGrant

Thornton@ca.gt.com

www.grantthornton.ca

KPMG-LLP

777 Dunsmuir Street, 11th Floor,

Vancouver, BC V6C 1X8

(604) 691-3000

CICverification@kpmg.ca

www.kpmg.ca

MNP-LLP

Suite 2200, MNP Tower

1021 West Hastings Street

Vancouver , BC V6E 0C3

(778) 374-2102

BCPNP@mnp.ca

www.mnp.ca

Step 5: Submit Application to BCPNP

If you’ve received an invitation to apply, you are expected to pay the application fee by credit card in the BCPNP Online Portal (➨immilib.com/BCER-Apply) and submit your application by providing the following:

Application Fee;
Application Forms;
All supporting documentation;
A Business Plan; and
A Net Worth Verification Report

All supporting documents must be scanned and uploaded in your online application and you need to submit a complete application online in the BCPNP Online Portal.

You will have 120 calendar days from the issuance date of the ITA letter to submit a complete application form; all required supporting documents and a Business Plan.

Please ensure that you hire a Net Worth Verifier as soon as possible once you have been invited to apply in order to meet the 120 day submission deadline.

BCPNP Application
Submit online application:
immilib.com/BCER-Apply

Official Program Guide:
immilib.com/BCER-Guide

BCPNP Application Fee:
Registration fee:	$300
Applicant:	$3,500

Processing Time:
immilib.com/BC-PT

Document Checklist:
immilib.com/BCER-Doc (page 15)

Contact:
604-775-2227
en.imm@gov.bc.ca

If you submit a complete application, it will be assessed against the eligibility criteria and your EOI point assessment will be verified.

After assessment of the application is complete, if you appear to meet the Entrepreneur Eligibility Criteria you will be contacted to participate in an in-person interview. You will be required to travel to British Columbia to participate in this interview.

To find out how you can travel to Canada for a temporary visit (➨Page)

Upon completion of a successful in-person interview, you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement for your review and signature. You must scan your signed and dated Business Performance Agreement and submit as instructed.

Your Business Performance Agreement is your legal agreement with the Province of British Columbia. It will state the amount you will invest in your business and the business sector where you will operate your business. The Business Performance Agreement will also list any other information relevant to your application including but not limited to: job creation, business succession, and business location. This is based upon the information you supplied in your Business Establishment Plan.

Step 6: Apply for Work permit

Upon receipt of your signed and dated Business Performance Agreement, BCPNP will issue you with temporary work permit support letter. A work permit allows you to settle in British Columbia and operate your business. The work permit support letter is valid for 90 days.

Submission of applications for Work Permit can be done either online or on paper (➨Page).

Step 7: Business Establishment in British Columbia

If your application for a Work Permit is approved, you will be expected to arrive in British Columbia within twelve (12) months of receiving your Entrepreneur Approval Letter.

You must submit an arrival report to the BCPNP within 60 days of arriving in BC with your valid work permit, or, from the date your performance agreement was signed, whichever is later.

Once you’ve arrived in British Columbia, you have up to twenty (20) months from the date that you arrive to implement your business plan and meet the commitments outlined in your Performance Agreement.

Step 8: Request for Nomination

You must submit a final report to the BCPNP between 12 to 20 months after the issuance date of your valid work permit. The final report is the form and supporting documents that you must submit in order to apply for nomination.

If your final report with the submission of forms and supporting documents is approved, you will receive a Letter of Nomination along with the BCPNP Confirmation of Nomination document.

Step 9: Apply for Permanent Residence

If you are nominated by the Province of British Columbia, then your next step is to submit a complete application for a permanent resident visa within six (6) months (➨Page).

You must submit your application using the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal (PR Portal) (➨ immilib.com/PR-Portal).

If your application is complete, you will receive a letter or an email confirming that your file has been received and accepted for processing. This letter is called the Acknowledge of Receipt (AOR) and will include your IRCC file number.

Once you have received your acknowledgement of receipt, you can create an online account and link your application to it. By creating an account, you will be able to receive email updates and a more detailed case status.

Step 10: Landing in Canada

If your application is approved, you will be asked to pay your right of permanent residence fee if you haven't already done so. You will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and if you are from a country that requires a visa you will also be issued a permanent resident visa.

You will only become a Permanent Resident of Canada when you cross a Canadian port of entry. This is referred to as ‘landing in Canada' (➨Page).

You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which appears on your Canada Immigration Visa. Usually, the expiry date is one (1) year from the time medical examinations were completed. As this is not always the case, be sure to verify the expiry date as soon as the Canada Immigration Visa is received.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

BC-WSYTA

WELCOME TO BRITISH COLUMBIA!

GWA

BC-WA

BC-TOCB

BC-TOCA

Immigration Library™

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream (BCER)

Table of Contents

SUMMARY

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1- Business Experience

2- Net Worth

3- Language Ability

4- Education

5- Ineligibility

BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

1- Business Investment

2- Business Ownership

3- Type of Business

4- Job Creation

5- Active Management

CALCULATE YOUR SCORE

Self-declared Factors:

Factor 1: Business Experience

Factor 2: Net Worth

Factor 3: Investment Amount

Factor 4: Jobs

Factor 5: Community Population

Factor 6: Business Location

Adaptability Factors:

Factor 7: Language

Factor 8: Education

Factor 9: Age

Factor 10: Canadian Experience

Factor 11: Family in the Community

Business Concept Factors:

Factor 12: Commercial Viability

Factor 13: Transferability of Skills

Factor 14: Economic Benefits

WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE?

Step 1: Exploratory Visit

Step 2: Obtain a referral from the community

Step 3: Submit an Online BCPNP Expression of Interest (Online Registration)

Step 4: Prepare Documents

1. Business Plan

2. Net Worth Verification Report

Step 5: Submit Application to BCPNP

Step 6: Apply for Work permit

Step 7: Business Establishment in British Columbia

Step 8: Request for Nomination

Step 9: Apply for Permanent Residence

Step 10: Landing in Canada

WELCOME TO BRITISH COLUMBIA!

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