Home / British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream (BCER)
British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream (BCER)
- P.N.P: Provincial Nominee Programs
- E.O.I: Expression of Interest
- P.S: Point System
- S.D: Sponsor-driven
- Permanent Resident
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The British Columbia Regional stream was introduced as a Pilot in March 2019 and as of 27 May 2024, it became a permanent stream
GSB
BC-SB
SUMMARY
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
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
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).
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
- 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
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 |
%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 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
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).
Language | Points |
CLB 7 or higher | 23 |
CLB 6 | 15 |
CLB 5 | 10 |
CLB 4 | 5 |
CLB 3 or less | Not Eligible |
- 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 |
Factor 9: Age
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
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.
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
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 |
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).
- 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.
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.
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 |
Step 4: Prepare Documents
1. Business Plan
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
List of BCPNP Designated Net Worth Verifiers | ||
Grant Thornton Suite 1600, 333 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 0A4 (604) 687-2711 BCPNPGrant |
KPMG-LLP 777 Dunsmuir Street, 11th Floor, Vancouver, BC V6C 1X8 (604) 691-3000 |
MNP-LLP Suite 2200, MNP Tower 1021 West Hastings Street Vancouver , BC V6E 0C3 (778) 374-2102 |
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
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: | |
(page 15) |
|
Contact: | |
604-775-2227 | |
[email protected] | |
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)
Step 6: Apply for Work permit
Submission of applications for Work Permit can be done either online or on paper (➨Page).
Step 7: Business Establishment in British Columbia
Step 8: Request for Nomination
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
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).
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!
BC-WA
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