British Columbia targets qualified entrepreneurs in latest PNP draw
This week, British Columbia has extended more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination to entrepreneurs seeking to immigrate to the province.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held selections through two Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams.
This marks the fifth entrepreneur-focused selection round to take place in 2025.
Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams
Draw results
On July 8, the BC PNP conducted draws through the following streams:
- EI Base stream; and
- EI Regional stream.
No more than 17 invitations were issued through these draws.
| Stream | Number of invitations issued | Cut-off score |
|---|---|---|
| EI Base stream | 12 | 121 |
| EI Regional stream | <5 | 115 |
Thus far in 2025, British Columbia's PNP has focused almost exclusively on entrepreneur candidates, with just one exception: a May 8 draw targeting skilled workers.
To date, the province has issued up to 39 invitations through its EI Base stream and no more than 20 through its EI regional stream.
The province has yet to hold any draws through its EI Strategic Projects stream, which facilitates corporations in relocating essential personnel to BC for strategic investment opportunities.
Immigrating to British Columbia as an entrepreneur
Foreign entrepreneurs wishing to start a new business or purchase and operate an existing business in the province can do so through the EI Base stream or EI Regional stream.
Conditions and eligibility requirements vary by stream, including—but not limited to—minimum personal net worth, business investment, and ownership share.
The EI Regional stream is for qualified entrepreneurs willing to start a business (not purchase) in one of British Columbia’s participating rural communities. To register and apply for this stream, candidates must secure a referral from the community they want to establish operations in (after visiting).
In contrast, EI Base stream candidates are not restricted to particular region or community, nor are they required to obtain a community referral. Candidates of this stream can also start or purchase an existing business.
To be considered under the EI Base stream, one must have a minimum registration score of 115/200; EI Regional stream candidates need a minimum registration score of 105/200 to qualify.
Both streams require candidates to create at least one full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident.
In most cases, the province completes its review of applications and renders a decision within four months.
- Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
- Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
