On September 22, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program invited entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through its Entrepreneur Immigration category.
The province issued invitations through both entrepreneur-focused streams. These pathways are designed for foreign nationals who want to establish a new business in British Columbia or purchase and expand an existing business.
Entrepreneurs who receive a provincial nomination can obtain a work permit support letter and use it to apply to the federal government for a work permit.
After meeting the conditions of their business performance agreement and receiving a nomination, candidates may also qualify for a Bridging Open Work Permit after submitting their permanent residence application.
Since June 9, 2026, candidates applying for permanent residence through a base provincial nomination pathway have been able to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit sooner under a temporary federal measure. The measure removes the requirement to receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt before applying.
Draw Details
The latest invitations came through both the Base Stream and Regional Stream under the Entrepreneur Immigration category. Most invitations went to candidates in the Base Stream.
Candidates in both streams needed a minimum score of 119 to receive an invitation in this round.
| Stream | Invitations Issued | Minimum Score |
| Base Stream | 10 | 119 |
| Regional Stream | <5 | 119 |
The score of 119 represented the highest threshold for the Base Stream since February 10 and for the Regional Stream since March 10.
The latest selection round was the province’s 10th entrepreneur-focused round of 2026.
Across these 10 entrepreneur selection rounds, British Columbia conducted 17 draws. Ten targeted Base Stream candidates, while seven targeted Regional Stream candidates.
The table below shows how the latest round compared with earlier Entrepreneur Immigration selections in 2026:
| Date Of Draw | Stream | Minimum Score | Invitations Issued |
| 22 Sep | Base | 119 | 10 |
| Regional | 119 | <5 | |
| 25 Aug | Base | 116 | 11 |
| Regional | 116 | 5 | |
| 28 Jul | Base | 117 | 10 |
| 30 Jun | Base | 118 | 14 |
| Regional | 113 | <5 | |
| 2 Jun | Base | 117 | 15 |
| Regional | 117 | <5 | |
| 5 May | Base | 115 | 8 |
| Regional | 115 | <5 | |
| 14 Apr | Base | 115 | 14 |
| 10 Mar | Base | 117 | 7 |
| Regional | 129 | <5 | |
| 10 Feb | Base | 121 | 13 |
| Regional | 105 | <5 | |
| 14 Jan | Base | 115 | 7 |
As of September 22, British Columbia had issued at least 114 invitations through the Entrepreneur Immigration category in 2026.
Including Skills Immigration invitations, which exceeded 5,300, the provincial program had issued at least 5,414 invitations across its immigration categories during the year.
Comparing The Base And Regional Streams
Both streams provide a pathway for entrepreneurs seeking permanent residence in British Columbia. However, they have different eligibility requirements and business conditions.
| 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 | 33.33% | 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: Applicants without a post-secondary credential must have at least three years of active business ownership and management experience within the past five years, during which they held full ownership of the business.
Steps Toward Permanent Residence
The process toward permanent residence is broadly similar under both streams. Regional Stream candidates, however, must complete two additional requirements before moving through the main application process.
The steps include:
- Select a participating community that fits the proposed business concept (Regional)
- Complete an exploratory visit and secure a community referral (Regional)
- Develop a business proposal
- Register with the provincial program and receive a score based on human capital and economic factors
- Wait for an invitation to apply in a future draw
- Submit a provincial nomination application within four months of receiving an invitation
- If approved, apply to the federal government for a work permit
- Move to British Columbia and establish and operate the proposed business
- Receive a provincial nomination after meeting the applicable program requirements
After receiving a nomination, candidates can submit their permanent residence application to the federal government.
The Entrepreneur Immigration category is intended for business owners and managers who want to establish or expand a business while pursuing permanent residence in British Columbia.
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