As BC continues to issue invitations across all of its immigration programs, the latest Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot (EI – Regional Pilot) Programissued 18 invitations to foreign entrepreneurs with scores of 107 under BC’s ranking score. This is the third draw of 2020 under the Regional Pilot.

BC ‘s EI – Regional Pilot is intended to attract entrepreneurs worldwide to participating regional communities to establish new businesses that help meet the communities’ economic development needs and encourage investments outside urban areas. Participating communities have an active role in referring foreign entrepreneurs whose business plans align with the community’s economic priorities.

Exploratory Visit and Community Referral

All applicants must be invited by the community to conduct an exploratory visit and present a business proposal to obtain a referral. Please note, applicants are advised that due to the current air and land travel restrictions imposed by the Government of Canada, exploratory visits are currently discontinued.

 

If a participating community refers an applicant, they are placed in a separate registration pool dedicated to the pilot when they register. Regional pilot registrations and applications are prioritized. The Program was designed as a 2-year pilot with a minimum net worth and net investment requirements, as well as minimum language scores and prior business owner experience or post-secondary education.

Application Steps

Applicants must first identify a participating BC community; conduct an exploratory visit; obtain a referral; and, register under the EI-Regional Pilot with all the minimum requirements met. After the registration is scored, you may receive an invitation to apply (ITA), at which time a complete application must be made to the BC PNP. If your application is approved, you will receive a letter of confirmation or work permit support letter to submit to IRCC for a temporary work permit. This allows the applicant to come to BC and establish the business. Once you meet all the criteria in the terms and conditions of your performance agreement, you must submit a final report to receive a nomination for Canadian Permanent Residence.