Entrepreneurs wishing to invest in new business in British Columbia can immigrate to Canada through the Regional Pilot pilot program.
The Regional Pilot of Entrepreneur Immigration stream has been created under the British Columbia Immigrant Nominee Program to attract entrepreneurs from around the world, stimulate investment and businesses in small communities.
Under this pilot program, a foreign investor can get permanent residence in British Columbia if he invests in a new business in the communities participating in this program. The eligible communities are locations with a population of less than 75 thousand located at a distance of at least 30 km from another settlement with a population of over 75 thousand.
Applicant Requirements
To be able to immigrate under the Regional Pilot, the applicant should:
- Have at least C$300,000 of net worth
- Be ready to invest in a business a minimum of C$100,000
- Create at least 1 full-time job for a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- Have at least 3 years of experience as a business owner-manager or 4 years of experience as a senior manager or a combination of 1 year as a business owner-manager and 2 years as a senior manager
- Have obtained a post-secondary diploma, degree or certificate, or have experience as an active business owner-manager for at least 3 of the last 5 years with 100% ownership in the business
- Submit a copy of language test to demonstrate English or French language proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing
- Pay C$3,500 for application and C$300 for registration
Business Requirements
The applicant must own at least 51% of the business in which he invests. The main goal of the business should be making a profit by selling products or providing services. Business must have commercial potential.
The following types of businesses are not eligible under the Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot:
- immigration-linked investment schemes and passive investment pursuant to Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)
- 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 repairs, refurbishing or recycling)
- Real estate development or brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage
- 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 would bring the BC PNP or the Government of British Columbia into disrepute
Find out about other BCINP streams in the article “Immigration to British Columbia”.