British Columbia Makes Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program Permanent
British Columbia (B.C.) has made the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program a permanent part of their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This initiative is now called the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Stream, providing a lasting pathway for eligible newcomers looking to start businesses and settle permanently in B.C.
Overview of Entrepreneur Immigration Programs in B.C.
Entrepreneur immigration programs within the British Columbia PNP (BCPNP) are designed to attract international entrepreneurs to start businesses and settle in the province. These programs aim to support innovation and economic growth within B.C. The entrepreneur class immigration, including the EI Regional Stream, offers a temporary to permanent residence pathway. Initially, accepted applicants receive temporary status to live and work in Canada, and upon successfully establishing their business, they transition to permanent residence status.
The EI Regional Stream: Eligibility and Process
The EI Regional Stream targets international entrepreneurs who wish to start businesses in small communities, aiding the development of B.C.'s regional areas. The program involves active participation from communities that have identified the types of businesses they prioritize. Entrepreneurs must visit the community, be assigned a community contact, and receive a community referral to register and apply under the EI Regional Stream.
Eligibility Criteria:
Business Establishment: Entrepreneurs must establish a new business aligned with the community's priorities.
Experience: Demonstrate business and/or management experience.
Net Worth: Have a personal net worth of more than $300,000 CAD.
Investment: Make a personal investment of at least $100,000 CAD in the business.
Job Creation: Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Language Proficiency: Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4.
Legal Status: Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
Lawful Admission: Have been lawfully admitted into the country where they currently live.
If candidates meet these criteria and possess the necessary business experience that a community is seeking, they can contact the community using information from the community's profile page. For a complete list of participating community profile pages, click here.
By making the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program permanent, B.C. continues to offer a structured and supportive pathway for international entrepreneurs to contribute to the province's economic and community development.
Comments