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- Owner Operator Program – British Columbia
Owner Operator Program – British Columbia
Program Description
Foreign Entrepreneurs who want to immigrate to British Columbia and are ready to invest in and actively manage a valid business that may apply the Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category.
Program Status:
Key Program Highlights
The Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category is designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish new businesses or buy existing British Columbia businesses.
The British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category allows an entrepreneur to be nominated for permanent residence once their business has been established in British Columbia.
In 2020, a total of 100 invitations were issued to entrepreneurs.
Program Eligibility Requirements
- The applicant must have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000.
- The applicant must demonstrate business and/or management experience.
- Applicants must establish an eligible new business or purchase and improve an existing business.
- Applicants must make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business.
- The applicant must create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the business.
- Applicants must have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada.
- Applicants must have basic English or French language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
The applicant must meet the admissibility requirements.
Program Specific Data Analysis
EI – Base Category Scoring Overview Scoring Sections | ||
Self-declared | Experience & Ownership | 24 |
Net Worth | 12 | |
Total Personal Investment | 20 | |
Jobs | 20 | |
Regional District | 12 | |
Adaptability | 32 | |
Self-declared SUBTOTAL score | 120 | |
Business concept | Commercial Viability | 30 |
Transferability of Skills | 20 | |
Economic Benefits | 30 | |
Business concept SUBTOTAL score | 80 | |
Maximum Score Available | 120 |
Data Source: BC-PNP-Entrepreneur-Immigration-Program-Guide.
BC-PNP-Entrepreneur-Immigration-Base Category Draw for 2020
MONTHS | SCORE | INVITATION |
January 14 | 117 | 18 |
February 4 | 115 | 14 |
June 2 | 121 | 29 |
July 28 | 125 | 7 |
September 1 | 126 | 6 |
October 20 | 109 | 15 |
December | 121 | 11 |
Data Source: BC PNP Invitations to Apply
Key Candidates for the Program
Foreign entrepreneurs looking to start a new business or buy an existing business in British Columbia.
Step by Step Process
Determine your Eligibility and Gather your Documents:
Foreign entrepreneurs with a business idea can create a profile and register online for the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category.
Invitation & Application:
Foreign entrepreneurs found eligible will receive an invitation to apply online to the BC PNP under the Entrepreneur Immigration stream. The application must be completed and submitted within four months.
Build your Business in British Columbia:
Foreign entrepreneurs have up to 20 months to implement the business proposal in British Columbia from when they sign the Performance Agreement.
Nomination and Application for Permanent Resident:
Successful applicants will be issued with a confirmation of nomination as a provincial nominee and will then apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Apply Now!
HOW TO APPLY
Foreign entrepreneurs with a business idea and who meet all the eligibility criteria can create a profile and register online for the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category.
Foreign entrepreneurs found eligible will receive an invitation to apply online to the BC PNP under the Entrepreneur Immigration stream. If you are invited to apply, you will have to submit a complete application through BC PNP Online within 4 months. The applicant may be required to attend an in-person interview.
Applicants whose applications are successful will be required to sign a Performance Agreement with British Columbia.
The foreign entrepreneur will have up to 20 months to implement the business proposal in British Columbia after the Performance Agreement is signed.
BC PNP will issue a letter of support, enabling you to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a two-year work permit. After the work permit is granted, the foreign entrepreneur must arrive in B.C. within 12 months of the confirmation letter’s date to establish the business.
Once the foreign entrepreneurs arrive in British Columbia, they will have 20 months from the date of arrival to build your business and meet all commitments under your performance agreement. Finally, they will be required to provide a final report to BC PNP between 18 and 20 months after you arrive in British Columbia.
If your application for British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category nomination is successful, you will receive a confirmation of nomination as a provincial nominee.
With the confirmation of nomination as a provincial nominee, you can apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada under the Provincial Nominee Class. Please refer to the Entrepreneur Immigration Post-Arrival Guide to learn more about the program.
Latest Program Updates
Between January and December 2020, British Columbia invited 100 entrepreneurs to apply for the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category nomination. The lowest score was 109, while the highest score was 126.
Historical Program Data
BC – Entrepreneur Immigration 2017 - 2019
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Program Video
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