British Columbia invited entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through its latest Entrepreneur Immigration draw.
On August 25, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) invited 16 entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination. The selected candidates were interested in starting a new business in British Columbia or taking over and growing an existing business.
The latest draw was the 21st BCPNP selection round of 2026. It was also the ninth draw of the year focused only on entrepreneurs.
Successful candidates may receive a provincial nomination and later apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Draw Details
The latest draw included both the Base Stream and Regional Stream. Both streams had the same minimum score, but the number of invitations was different.
Most invitations went to candidates under the Base Stream.
| Stream | Minimum Score | Invitations Issued |
| Base | 116 | 11 |
| Regional | 116 | 5 |
The latest draw had the highest number of invitations issued through the Regional Stream in 2026.
The table below shows how this draw compares with earlier Entrepreneur Immigration selections held in 2026:
| Date Of Draw | Stream | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
| August 25, 2026 | Base | 11 | 116 |
| Regional | 5 | 116 | |
| July 28, 2026 | Base | 10 | 117 |
| June 30, 2026 | Base | 14 | 118 |
| Regional | <5 | 113 | |
| June 2, 2026 | Base | 15 | 117 |
| Regional | <5 | 117 | |
| May 5, 2026 | Base | 8 | 115 |
| Regional | <5 | 115 | |
| April 14, 2026 | Base | 14 | 115 |
| March 10, 2026 | Base | 7 | 117 |
| Regional | <5 | 129 | |
| February 10, 2026 | Base | 13 | 121 |
| Regional | <5 | 105 | |
| January 13, 2026 | Base | 7 | 115 |
British Columbia has held nine entrepreneur selection rounds so far this year. These rounds include nine Base Stream draws and six Regional Stream draws.
The BCPNP has invited at least 104 entrepreneurs through its 2026 draws. The program has also issued at least 4,942 invitations across its entrepreneur and skilled worker streams this year.
How Do The BCPNP Entrepreneur Streams Differ?
Both entrepreneur streams can help business owners seek permanent residence in British Columbia. However, the two streams have different requirements.
| Criteria | Base Stream | Regional Stream |
| Business type | Launch a new business or take over + grow existing one | Launch a new business outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District |
| Business experience | 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 10 years | 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 5 years |
| Education | Post-secondary credential | Post-secondary credential |
| Minimum language proficiency | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| Minimum personal net worth | $600,000 | $300,000 |
| Minimum investment | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| Minimum ownership | 31.33% | 51% |
| Community referral required? | No | Yes |
| Exploratory visit required? | No | Yes |
| Minimum registration score | 115/200 | 105/200 |
| Registration with BCPNP co-applicant permitted? | Yes | No |
Note: Those without a post-secondary credential must demonstrate at least three years of active business ownership and management experience within the past five years, with full ownership of the business.
The Base Stream allows entrepreneurs to start a new business or take over an existing business and grow it. The Regional Stream is designed for entrepreneurs who plan to start a new business outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
The Regional Stream also requires a community referral and an exploratory visit. This means candidates need to work with a participating community before moving ahead with the application.
Steps To Apply Through The Entrepreneur Streams
The application route is similar for both streams. Regional Stream candidates have a few extra requirements before registration.
- Identify a participating community that aligns with your proposed business (Regional Stream)
- Complete an exploratory visit and obtain a community referral (Regional Stream)
- Prepare a business proposal
- Register with the BCPNP and receive a score based on human capital and economic factors
- Wait to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in a future draw
- Submit a nomination application within four months of receiving an ITA
- If approved, apply to the federal government for a work permit
- Establish and operate the proposed business in British Columbia while on the work permit
- Receive a provincial nomination if program requirements are met
After receiving a provincial nomination, candidates can apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.
The latest draw shows that British Columbia continues to use its entrepreneur streams to attract business owners who plan to invest in and operate businesses in the province. The Base and Regional streams provide different options based on the type and location of the proposed business.
Candidates considering these streams need to meet the financial, business, language, ownership, and registration requirements before they can receive an invitation and move forward with the nomination application.
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