B.C. Entrepreneur Draw Sees Minimum Score Rise to 119

British Columbia invited at least 10 international entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination in a September 22 draw, opening another opportunity for business owners who want to settle in the province.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) selected candidates under both its Entrepreneur Immigration streams. Those pathways support people planning to start businesses or buy and expand existing operations.

September Draw at a Glance

The Base Stream issued 10 invitations, while the Regional Stream issued fewer than five. Both required a minimum score of 119.

That score was the Base Stream’s highest since February 10 and the Regional Stream’s highest since March 10. In the August 25 draw, the minimum was 116 for both streams, with 11 Base invitations and five Regional invitations.

September’s selection was the province’s tenth entrepreneur-focused round this year. Across those rounds, B.C. held 17 individual draws: 10 for the Base Stream and seven for the Regional Stream.

By September 22, the province had issued at least 114 entrepreneur invitations in 2026. Including more than 5,300 Skills Immigration invitations, its overall total stood at no fewer than 5,414.

Two Routes for Business Owners

The Base Stream covers entrepreneurs who plan to establish a business anywhere in B.C. or take over and grow an existing one. Applicants need at least $600,000 in personal net worth and must invest at least $200,000. They generally need a minimum 33.33 per cent ownership stake.

The Regional Stream focuses on new businesses outside Metro Vancouver. It has lower financial thresholds: at least $300,000 in personal net worth and $100,000 in investment. However, applicants must own at least 51 per cent of the business, visit a participating community and obtain its referral.

Business experience requirements also differ. Base applicants need three years as an owner-manager within the past 10 years; Regional applicants need three years within the past five.

Both streams require Canadian Language Benchmark level four. Applicants generally need post-secondary education, although an experience-based exception applies to those who fully owned and actively managed a business for three of the past five years.

From Invitation to Permanent Residence

Regional applicants must first choose a participating community, make an exploratory visit and secure a referral. All candidates then prepare a business proposal and register with the BC PNP, which scores their qualifications and proposed economic contribution.

An invitation allows a candidate to submit a nomination application within four months. If the province approves that application, it issues a support letter the entrepreneur can use to seek a federal work permit.

The entrepreneur must move to B.C., establish or operate the business and meet the conditions of a business performance agreement before receiving a provincial nomination.

Nomination does not itself grant permanent residence status.

Nominees can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.

Eligible nominees who have submitted their permanent residence application may also qualify for a bridging open work permit. A temporary federal measure effective June 9, 2026, allows certain applicants to seek that permit before receiving an acknowledgement of receipt, subject to applicable conditions.