British Columbia welcomes entrepreneurs in the latest PNP draw, i.e., this week, the province of British Columbia once again demonstrated its commitment to attracting entrepreneurial talent by issuing a new round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination. These invitations target experienced business people looking to settle and invest in the province’s diverse economy.
The latest draw was conducted under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) and focused on the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams that are designed specifically for foreign entrepreneurs ready to invest in local communities and create jobs for British Columbians.
This selection round marks the fifth draw in 2025 that has exclusively targeted entrepreneurs who wish to build or buy businesses within British Columbia.
Draw Highlights
On July 8, the BC PNP invited candidates through two distinct streams within its Entrepreneur Immigration program:
- EI Base Stream
- EI Regional Stream
Altogether, no more than 17 invitations were issued during this round, keeping the intake selective to attract high-potential business talent.
| Stream | Number Of Invitations Issued | Cut-Off Score |
| EI Base stream | 12 | 121 |
| EI Regional stream | <5 | 115 |
So far in 2025, British Columbia has shown a strong focus on boosting local economic growth through entrepreneurial immigration. The program has mostly concentrated on attracting business owners and investors, with only one exception — a draw held on May 8 that targeted skilled workers.
To date, up to 39 invitations have been issued through the EI Base stream and no more than 20 through the EI Regional stream. The province has not yet opened any draws through its EI Strategic Projects stream this year, which allows companies to bring in key staff for significant investment projects in BC.
How To Immigrate To British Columbia As An Entrepreneur?
British Columbia welcomes entrepreneurs in the latest PNP draw. Entrepreneurs from around the world who wish to build a new life in British Columbia by starting a business or taking over an existing one can do so through two main pathways, i.e., the EI Base stream and the EI Regional stream.
Each stream comes with its own unique eligibility criteria and conditions. These generally include requirements for minimum net worth, an eligible investment amount, and ownership share in the business.
The EI Regional stream is tailored for entrepreneurs ready to establish a new business — not purchase an existing one — in one of the province’s rural and smaller communities that participate in the program. Applicants must visit the community of their choice, gain local support, and secure a formal referral before they can submit their application.
On the other hand, the EI Base stream gives entrepreneurs more flexibility. It does not limit them to a specific community or region and does not require a community referral. It also allows candidates to either start a brand-new business or buy an existing one.
To be eligible under the EI Base stream, entrepreneurs must achieve a minimum registration score of 115 out of 200. Those applying through the EI Regional stream need a minimum score of 105 out of 200 to qualify for consideration.
No matter the stream, both require entrepreneurs to commit to creating at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident — a crucial part of contributing to the local economy.
Once an application is submitted, the province generally processes and finalizes decisions within four months. This helps qualified entrepreneurs move forward with their business plans and settle in BC’s thriving communities.
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