BC PNP · Entrepreneur Stream
Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category
Start or buy a business in British Columbia, create jobs, and earn a path to permanent residence through the BC Provincial Nominee Program.
What is the BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category?
The Base Category is British Columbia's main entrepreneur stream. It is designed for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to start a new business, or buy and grow an existing one, anywhere in the province, including Metro Vancouver.
Unlike federal investor programs, the Base Category is a two-step process: you arrive in B.C. on a temporary work permit supported by the BC PNP, set up and actively manage your business, meet the milestones in your Performance Agreement, and only then receive your provincial nomination for permanent residence.
Selection is competitive. After you submit a registration, the BC PNP scores it on human-capital factors (work and ownership experience, education, official-language ability) and economic factors (commercial viability, jobs created, transferability to B.C., and benefit to the province). Registrations are ranked, and the top-scoring proposals receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Because allocations, fees, and scoring priorities change from time to time, we confirm the current requirements and thresholds with you before you commit.
Eligibility
Do you qualify?
The Base Category has hard minimums plus a competitive scoring grid — you need both. Exact thresholds are set by the BC PNP and change from time to time, so treat this as a starting point rather than a final checklist.
- A minimum personal net worth, legally accumulated and verifiable
- A minimum eligible business investment in your proposed B.C. business
- A plan to create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Demonstrated business ownership or senior-management experience
- Active day-to-day management of the business — you must be on the ground in B.C., not a passive investor
- An approved language test result in English or French at the level your registration requires
- A commercially viable business proposal, aligned with B.C.'s economy, that scores well on the BC PNP grid
The Process
How it works
From business plan to permanent residence, here's what the journey looks like.
- 1
Eligibility & scoring forecast
We confirm your net worth, ownership and management experience, and business idea, then forecast your registration score against recent draws so you know whether you're competitive.
- 2
Business proposal & registration
We help you build a commercially viable business plan and complete your BC PNP registration. The business concept is scored separately by BC PNP staff.
- 3
Qualified pool & Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Eligible registrations sit in a qualified pool for a limited period. Top-scoring proposals receive ITAs at periodic draws.
- 4
Application & net-worth verification
After an ITA, you submit a full application. A BC PNP-authorized accounting firm verifies your net worth, legal source of funds, and accumulation history.
- 5
Performance Agreement & work permit support
On approval, you sign a Performance Agreement with the BC PNP and receive a work permit support letter, so you can move to B.C. and execute the plan.
- 6
Establish & operate the business
You arrive in B.C., make your investment, set up operations, hire your Canadian or PR employee(s), and actively manage day-to-day operations for a sustained period before final nomination.
- 7
Final nomination & PR application
Once you've met the Performance Agreement milestones, the BC PNP issues your provincial nomination. You then submit your PR application to IRCC and complete medical, biometrics, and security checks.
- 8
COPR & permanent residence
IRCC issues your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and you become a Canadian permanent resident — with a real B.C. business already running.
Frequently Asked
Base Category FAQs
What is the minimum personal net worth?
The minimum verified personal net worth is CAD $600,000. After invitation, a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm reviews your net worth, source of funds, and accumulation history before your nomination application can proceed.
How much do I need to invest in my B.C. business?
The minimum eligible business investment is CAD $200,000. The investment must be in an eligible business that you will actively manage day-to-day, and you must create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Do I get permanent residence right away?
No. The Base Category nominates you only after you arrive in B.C. and successfully establish your business. You first receive a BC PNP work permit support letter for a roughly 20-month work permit, then operate the business and meet your Performance Agreement milestones before final nomination and PR submission.
Can the business be in Metro Vancouver?
Yes. Unlike the Regional Pilot, the Base Category permits businesses anywhere in British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver, Victoria, and other large metros.
Should I choose Base Category or Regional Pilot?
The Regional Pilot has lower thresholds (net worth $300,000, investment $100,000) but restricts you to smaller communities outside Metro Vancouver and requires a community referral. Choose Base if you want metro flexibility and have the capital; choose Regional Pilot if your business fits a smaller community and your capital is between $300K and $600K.
Ready to build your business in B.C.?
Start with a free 15-minute consultation. We'll review your net worth, test your business idea against the BC PNP scoring grid, and tell you whether the Base Category or Regional Pilot is the right fit.
Book a Free ConsultationDisclaimer
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal or immigration advice. BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration requirements, net-worth and investment minimums, scoring criteria, provincial allocations, processing times, and government fees change frequently and without notice. Details described here may be out of date by the time you read them. Always confirm current requirements on the official BC Provincial Nominee Program website and the Government of Canada website (canada.ca), and book a consultation for advice specific to your situation. Nothing here guarantees an invitation, a nomination, approval, or any particular outcome.