British Columbia Immigration
Regional Stream Overview
British Columbia welcomes entrepreneurs from around the world to discover the many business opportunities across all regions of the province. Entrepreneurs can open a business in one of B.C.’s smaller communities and experience first-hand why many choose to live outside of a large urban center for their families.
Through the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional stream, the Province offers an immigration pathway for enterprising individuals who are looking to start a new business in a small community and make B.C. their new home.
The EI Regional stream was introduced as a Pilot in March 2019 and will be continuing as part of an expanded BC PNP regional initiative.
Key features
B.C. communities are active participants
Participating communities play a key role. Each has identified the kinds of businesses that are a priority for their community. They are looking for entrepreneurs with experience managing these types of businesses.
Communities are also interested in learning more about your background and your proposed business. When you reach out to them, you may be asked to provide information so that their contact person can see if your proposal and/or business experience is a fit with their priorities.
Communities have implemented their own administrative process, and some communities may charge a fee for services. We ask interested parties to respect and follow each community’s specific process. Please contact the community using only the contact details listed in each profile.
Prospective candidates must visit the community
If a community sees your business proposal as a possible match with their priorities, they may invite you for an in-person exploratory visit to their community and meet with their contact person. The visit will also give you first-hand experience of the location you are proposing for your business, and you will also be able to assess whether the lifestyle is a fit for your family.
The community contact will be interested in learning more about your proposal and can provide information about relevant supports and services to help you decide whether this community is the right place for your business.
The decision to invite a candidate for an exploratory visit is at the discretion of the community.
A community referral is required
After your visit to the community, if you feel that it is the right place for your business and your family, you may request a referral from the community. A referral allows entrepreneur candidates to register and apply for the EI Regional stream.
The decision to issue a referral is at the discretion of the community.
Requirements
The EI - Regional stream is designed for foreign entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a new business in a smaller community. If you want to settle in one that is not participating in the EI Regional stream, or purchase an existing business, you are not eligible for this stream.
Before considering the EI Regional stream, become familiar with the program criteria and check your eligibility. To qualify, you must:
- establish an eligible new business aligned with the priorities of the referring community
- show business and/or management experience
- have a personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000
- make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$100,000 in the business
- create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4
- have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
- have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live
If you meet the criteria and have the experience that the community is seeking, you can connect directly with the designated community contact identified in the community’s profile page to learn more.
You can view the full list of participating communities below and on the community profiles pages.
Map of B.C. development regions
!https://www.welcomebc.ca/getattachment/9281ad49-5a1e-48e0-939e-d727b0a18e9f/regional-maps-orig-bc-1500_fromBCGov.jpg?lang=en-CA
Full list of participating communities by development region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
ClintonPentictonSalmon ArmVernon
Vancouver Island/Coast
Campbell RiverComoxMount WaddingtonPowell River
More information
For more information about the EI Regional stream, please email us at En.Imm@gov.bc.ca .
Visit our documents page to find:
- The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Program Guide, for complete, up-to-date program information and requirements for EI Regional.
- The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Base Program Guide, for complete, up-to-date program information and requirements for EI Base.
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