BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream: Requirements and Process

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has two main categories: Skills Immigration for workers and Entrepreneur Immigration for business people. Entrepreneur Immigration has three streams:

• Base (this page), for larger investments anywhere in B.C.
• Regional, for smaller businesses in participating regional communities
• Strategic Projects, for foreign companies setting up in B.C.

The Base stream is a work permit first program. You do not get permanent residence right away. B.C. first supports you for a temporary work permit so you can come and run your business. Once you have met the terms of a performance agreement, B.C. nominates you, and you then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

The April 23, 2026 restructure focused on Skills Immigration. Heron Law, a B.C. immigration firm, noted there were no material changes to Entrepreneur Immigration. However, Entrepreneur Immigration receives only a small share of B.C.'s nominations, so invitations are limited.

WelcomeBC lists these main requirements for the Base stream (as of September 2026):

You also generally need to:

• Show your money came from legal sources. B.C. checks how you earned and saved your net worth.
• Actively manage the business day to day from B.C. A passive investment does not qualify.
• Propose an eligible business. Some business types are not allowed. The Entrepreneur Immigration program guide lists them.
• Meet language and education expectations. These earn points in the registration score. Check the program guide for any minimums.
• Have legal status in your country of residence or in Canada.

These amounts are minimums. Candidates with larger investments, more jobs and stronger business experience usually score higher.

The Base stream suits people who:

• have run their own business, or managed a large one, for several years and can prove it with records;
• can show a clear, legal paper trail for at least $600,000 in personal net worth;
• want to live in B.C. and manage a business there every day, not just invest in one; and
• can wait several years for permanent residence and accept the business risk.

It is a poor fit if you want a passive investment, need permanent residence quickly, or cannot document where your money came from. People with a strong job offer in a priority occupation may find the Skilled Worker stream faster and cheaper. If your business idea fits a smaller town, compare the Regional stream, which has lower minimums.

1. Registration. You register online with details of your net worth, experience and business concept. You receive a score.
2. Invitation. B.C. invites the top-scoring registrants in periodic draws. Heron Law reported minimum scores of about 115 to 121 for Base draws in early 2026. These change from draw to draw.
3. Application. If invited, you submit a full application with a detailed business plan and proof of your net worth and experience.
4. Interview and performance agreement. B.C. may interview you. If approved, you sign a performance agreement that sets out your investment, jobs and business activities.
5. Work permit. B.C. gives you a letter to support a work permit application to IRCC.
6. Establish the business. You move to B.C., make your investment, create the jobs and run the business.
7. Final report and nomination. You submit a final report. If you met the agreement, B.C. nominates you.
8. Permanent residence. You apply to IRCC for permanent residence with your nomination.

The whole process usually takes years, not months. WelcomeBC's program guide sets the exact deadlines for each stage.

Beyond the $200,000 minimum investment, expect these costs:

• BC PNP fees for registration and application. WelcomeBC lists the current Entrepreneur Immigration fees; check them before you register.
• Net worth and source of funds work. Many applicants pay accountants to prepare and verify financial documents.
• Business plan and professional advice.
• Federal fees for the work permit and later for permanent residence, listed on canada.ca.
• Living costs for you and your family while the business gets established.

Only use a lawyer or a licensed consultant (RCIC) for immigration advice. Our guide on how to verify a lawyer or consultant shows how to check. Be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed nomination.

• No guarantee of permanent residence. You may invest and still not be nominated if the business does not meet the performance agreement.
• Limited invitations. B.C. invites few entrepreneurs each year, so a valid registration may never be invited.
• Business risk. Your investment is at real risk. B.C. does not protect it.
• Family plans. Your spouse and children may be able to come with you on temporary status, but their options depend on federal rules. See our pages on the spousal open work permit and study permits.

If you have a complex history, such as a past refusal, a criminal record or funds that are hard to trace, get advice from a lawyer before you apply.

• BC Entrepreneur Regional: lower minimums ($300,000 net worth, $100,000 investment) for businesses in participating communities.
• Other provinces: Manitoba's Entrepreneur Pathway, Alberta's Rural Entrepreneur Stream, Yukon's Business Nominee stream and the Northwest Territories' Business Stream.
• Federal programs: The Start-Up Visa closed on December 31, 2025, and the Self-Employed Persons program is paused. A new federal entrepreneur pilot has been promised; see our status page on its replacement.

For a wider view, see our investing in Canada hub and the British Columbia guide.