Looking to migrate to Canada? On March 14, 2019, British Columbia opened up a new opportunity for foreign entrepreneurs looking to immigrate. The program is called the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
Successful candidates will be able to immigrate and start a business in one of British Columbia’s smaller communities. This program is meant to assist aspiring immigrants that have sound business ideas by giving them an opportunity to use their ideas to create more jobs and wealth in British Columbia’s less populous communities.
What is the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot Program?
Experienced entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot program. The successful entrepreneurs will be provided with a temporary work permit. This will give them the opportunity and legal right to start a business venture of their choice in Canada.
After the successful candidates have satisfied the conditions stated in their performance agreement, they can then apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
The BC PNP is a new immigration program for entrepreneurs with the aim of attracting skilled entrepreneurs to immigrate to smaller British Columbia areas with the aim of growing those local economies.
The British Columbia PNP targets prospective immigrants with the experience and skills to start a business and make it flourish. The program has already partnered with regional communities with a population of below 75,000 people to welcome those who make a successful Canada immigration in 2019. For applicants to successfully apply under the BC PNP, they must fall under either the Entrepreneur Immigration stream or the Skills Immigration stream.
If after assessment it is verified that a candidate possesses the necessary work experience and qualifications, he/she will qualify for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee program.Ocean Sunset View, Credit @pexels.com
How it works
To be accepted under the Regional Pilot, an applicant must prove that he/she actually owns a company and is actively involved in the day to day running of it.
The candidate can travel to British Columbia on an exploratory visit to present the unique business ideas they have to the head of the community they will be relocating to. If the community head likes the plan, a referral form will be drafted and sent to facilitate the application of the candidate through the British Columbia PNP.
Eligibility criteria to apply for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Asides from submitting an application to a qualified community in the BC province, the applying entrepreneur must also have:
- At least a French or English proficiency score of 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
- At least four years’ experience as a senior manager or three years’ experience as a business owner
- Gone on an exploratory visit to the province.
- The intention of investing a minimum of $100,000 in a business in the community.
- Minimum net worth of $300,000.
- At least a post-secondary qualification
- Minimum of 51% stake in the planned business
The ability to generate jobs for one or more Canadian citizen or permanent resident If you would like to participate in the BC PNP Immigration Program and successfully migrate to Canada, contact us today for professional assistance.