The British Columbia PNP Entrepreneur (Regional Pilot) pathway is for those seeking Canadian permanent residency through the investment and active management of a valid B.C.-based business located in a smaller rural community.
This pathway requires a referral from a participating community.
If you are invited to apply and successful in your application, you will first be issued a twenty-four (24) month Work Permit. This will allow you to implement your business plan, make the investment and create jobs.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible, you MUST meet ALL the following criteria.
1. INVESTMENT CRITERIA
The investment must meet a number of relevant criteria to be considered eligible for this immigration pathway.
| Investment Requirements Overview | |
|---|---|
| Investment and Ownership |
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| Active Management |
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| Location |
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| Job Creation |
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| Partnership |
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| Include Key Staff |
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| Timing |
|
If you intend to invest more than the minimum requirements, then you may use external funds from a business partner or financial institution.
If you intend to propose key staff as a related applicant then a number of requirements will increase.
2. PRIOR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Have within the five (5) years before your application at least
| Level | Experience | Ownership | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business owner-operator | three (3) or more years of cumulative work experience as a active business owner involved in the day-to-day operations | At least 10% of the business | OR |
| Senior Manager | four (4) or more years of active work experience as a senior manager at Skill Level 0 or A Supervised at least three (3) full-time employees | No ownership; or Less than 10% | OR |
| Mixed | a combination of at least one (1) or more years of experience as an active business owner and operator AND two (2) or more years experience as an active senior manager. | see above |
To be considered an active owner-manager or a senior manager, you are personally involved in the day-to-day operations and have direct involvement in decision-making.
This means you are the person primarily responsible for:
- managing the organization, a department, subdivision, or component of the organization; or an essential function within the organization;
- supervising and controlling the work of other managers or supervisors or professional employees;
- have the authority to hire and fire, or recommend these and other personnel actions, such as promotion and leave authorization;
- exercise discretion over the day-to-day operations of the activity or function for which the employee has delegated authority.
3. NET WORTH
Have a verified net worth of at least $300,000 CAD.
Your net worth must be verified independently if you are invited to apply for permanent residency.
4. EDUCATION
Have a valid post-secondary education credential from a Canadian or foreign educational institution OR sufficient time as a business owner-operator.
| Locale | Education |
|---|---|
| Canada |
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| Foreign |
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| Business Management Experience in-lieu of education | |
|---|---|
| Business Owner-Operator |
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5. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE LEVEL
| First Official Language | Abilities | Minimum level* |
|---|---|---|
| English or French | Speaking | 4 |
| Listening | 4 | |
| Reading | 4 | |
| Writing | 4 |
* If English is First Official Language: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
If French: Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC)
Language tests results are valid for two (2) years after the date of the test result.
Your test results must be valid on the day your immigration application is submitted.
6. BUSINESS PREPAREDNESS
Must submit a business proposal to establish a new B.C.-based business in a participating community that aligns with the community's economic development priorities.
Your proposal must be submitted to the community.
At least one (1) exploratory visit is required to gain the support of the community where you wish to establish your business.
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If your application is approved, you will be required to sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia. This is a legal document which outlines the terms and conditions you must meet in order to be eligible for nomination for permanent residency.
You will then be issued a letter of confirmation, valid for 90 days, which will allow you to apply for a Work Permit for a 24 month duration. You require the Work Permit to come to British Columbia in order to implement your business plan, invest in your business and begin operations.
You must arrive in British Columbia within 365 days from the date of your letter of confirmation.
Within 60 days of arriving in B.C. you must submit an arrival report.
From arrival, you have 610 days to begin implementation of your business plan and satisfy the terms and conditions of your Performance Agreement.
You must submit a final report on your investment 12 months (366 days) to 20 months (610 days) after you receive you Work Permit. This report will be used to support your nomination for permanent residency.
8. WHERE YOU CAN LIVE IN CANADA
Plan to live in the British Columbia community supporting your application.
Furthermore, you must demonstrate you were physically present in British Columbia for at least 75% of the time while on a Work Permit.
9. ADMISSIBILITY
Be admissible to Canada. You and your family members must not be inadmissible to Canada for security, criminal or medical reasons.
