{"id":23406,"date":"2026-08-26T08:35:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T05:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/blog\/bc-pnp-entrepreneur-base-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T08:35:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T05:05:45","slug":"bc-pnp-entrepreneur-base","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/avalvisa.com\/en\/blog\/bc-pnp-entrepreneur-base\/","title":{"rendered":"BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream: A Complete Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

British Columbia’s Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Base stream is the province’s main pathway for experienced business owners and senior managers who want to start a business in B.C. and immigrate to Canada through it. Run under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), the stream works in two phases: you first come to B.C. on a BC PNP-supported work permit to establish and actively run your business, and once you have met the terms of a signed performance agreement, the province nominates you for permanent residence. This guide \u2014 prepared by RCIC Hadi Imani (#R522575) at AvalVisa \u2014 sets out the exact requirements, scoring system, fees, timelines and 2026 draw results for what is often called the “BC entrepreneur visa,” based on the official EI Base Program Guide (effective May 27, 2024, and still current) and the live BC PNP pages as of August 2026.<\/p>\n

Core Requirements: The Exact Figures<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Requirement<\/th>\nBase Stream Minimum<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Personal net worth<\/td>\n$600,000 CAD (legally obtained and verifiable; includes spouse\/common-law partner and dependent children; future inheritances excluded)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eligible personal investment<\/td>\n$200,000 CAD in one business location, made within 610 days (~20 months) of arriving in B.C. on the work permit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ownership<\/td>\nAt least one-third (33 1\/3%) of the B.C. business \u2014 or an equity investment of at least $1 million if ownership is below one-third<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Job creation<\/td>\nAt least 1 new, permanent full-time equivalent (FTE) job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident within 420 days (~14 months) of arrival<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Language<\/td>\nCLB 4 in all four skills, English or French (IELTS General: L 4.5, R 3.5, W 4.0, S 4.0; results valid 24 months)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimum registration score<\/td>\n115 total, with at least 40 points in the business concept section<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Business Experience<\/h3>\n

Within the last 120 months (10 years), you must have either more than 36 months (3+ years) as an active business owner-manager (at least 10% ownership and active in day-to-day operations), or more than 48 months (4+ years) as a senior manager (ownership under 10%, supervising at least 3 full-time employees in a NOC TEER 0 or 1 role), or a combination of at least 12 months as an owner-manager plus at least 24 months as a senior manager.<\/p>\n

Education<\/h3>\n

You need a post-secondary credential (degree, diploma or certificate from a licensed post-secondary institution \u2014 ESL training does not count). Alternatively, the education requirement is waived if you have been an active owner-manager with 100% ownership of a business for at least 36 of the past 60 months (ownership may be shared with your spouse\/common-law partner or dependent children).<\/p>\n

The Business Itself<\/h3>\n

You must propose to establish a new business or purchase and improve an existing one, operated for the primary purpose of earning profits with strong potential for sustained commercial success, identified by a full six-digit NAICS code. The business can be located anywhere in B.C. If you are purchasing an existing business, it must be identified in your registration and must have been operated by the current owner for at least 60 months (5 years); the purchase price counts toward your eligible investment only up to $150,000, and you must commit at least $50,000 more to improve, upgrade or expand the business.<\/p>\n

Some business types are ineligible, including: immigration-linked investment schemes, passive investments, bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses, payday loan\/cheque cashing\/money changing businesses, pawnbrokers, tanning salons, DVD rentals, coin-operated laundries, automated car washes, scrap metal recycling, used-goods sales without value-add, real estate\/insurance\/business brokerage, real estate development, goods trading without demonstrated value-add, and sexually oriented services.<\/p>\n

Investment Rules to Know Before You Spend a Dollar<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • No investment made before your invitation to apply counts as eligible \u2014 and investing before you have signed the performance agreement and hold a valid work permit is strongly discouraged and at your own risk.<\/li>\n
  • The minimum $200,000 must come from your personal funds with documented provenance; external financing (a partner or a bank) is only permitted for amounts beyond the minimum.<\/li>\n
  • Ineligible expenditures include cash reserves and working capital, wages to yourself\/family\/co-owners, refundable deposits, real estate purchases and related fees, R&D expenses, and all immigration-related fees. Vehicle purchases are capped at $15,000 (and only if essential); operating expenses are capped at 6 months for a new business (3 months for a purchase or new franchise location); inventory is capped at 3 months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Active Management and Residency<\/h3>\n

    You must be accountable for day-to-day operations while physically present at your place of business in B.C., intend to reside within 50 km of the business (shortest road route, no ferry crossing over 30 minutes), and be physically present in B.C. at least 75% of your time on the work permit \u2014 for example, at least 457 days if you submit your final report at day 610. FTE employees must work on-site, not remotely, and an FTE means at least 30 hours per week on average and 1,560 hours per year; independent contractors and anyone holding 10% or more of the shares do not count.<\/p>\n

    How Registration Scoring Works (200 Points)<\/h2>\n

    Registration is a points-based expression of interest. The total is 200 points: 120 self-declared points scored automatically, plus 80 business concept points scored by the BC PNP within six weeks. You need at least 40 business concept points and at least 115 total to enter the qualified pool, where your registration remains valid for 180 days.<\/p>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Section<\/th>\nMaximum<\/th>\nMinimum Required<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Experience & Ownership<\/td>\n24<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Net Worth<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Total Personal Investment<\/td>\n20<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Jobs<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Development Region<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Adaptability<\/td>\n40<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Self-declared subtotal<\/strong><\/td>\n120<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Commercial Viability<\/td>\n30<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Transferability of Skills<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Economic Benefits<\/td>\n35<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Business concept subtotal<\/strong><\/td>\n80<\/strong><\/td>\n40<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Total<\/strong><\/td>\n200<\/strong><\/td>\n115<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    A few scoring levers worth planning around:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Region:<\/strong> Mainland\/Southwest scores 0; Vancouver Island & Coast and Thompson-Okanagan score 6; Cariboo 10; Northeast, Kootenay, Nechako and North Coast score the full 12.<\/li>\n
    • Adaptability:<\/strong> CLB 5+ language earns 6 points (CLB 4 earns 4); a master’s or doctorate earns 10; age 35\u201344 earns the maximum 8; an exploratory visit to your proposed Regional District within one year of registration earns 8; and 12+ months of Canadian work, business or study experience earns 8.<\/li>\n
    • Commercial viability:<\/strong> controlling interest matters \u2014 100% ownership earns 4 points, more than 50% earns 3, and 50% or less earns 0. You get 0 risk-factor points if you propose external financing, plan to invest more than 50% of your net worth, or partner with a co-registrant.<\/li>\n
    • Economic benefits:<\/strong> proposing a business in a key sector (Aerospace; Agriculture, Food & Beverage; Clean Technology; Digital Media and Entertainment; Forestry; ICT; Life Sciences; Mining; Natural Gas) or with significant economic benefits can earn up to 23 points, and high-skilled TEER 0\/1 jobs up to 6 more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Disqualification triggers include an ineligible business, a purchase target not identified or not held by the same owner for 5 years, failing any section minimum, scoring under 40 on the business concept, scoring under 115 overall, or not proposing at least one FTE job.<\/p>\n

      Step-by-Step Process and Timelines<\/h2>\n

      1. Prepare and Research<\/h3>\n

      Confirm eligibility and settle on your exact business before registering \u2014 the concept cannot be changed after submission. An exploratory visit is not required for the Base stream, but it is strongly recommended (and earns adaptability points). Note the BC PNP does not provide support letters for visitor-visa applications for exploratory visits.<\/p>\n

      2. Register (Scored Within 6 Weeks)<\/h3>\n

      Create a BCPNP Online profile, complete the points-based registration with your six-digit NAICS business concept, upload your passport bio page, photo and (if claiming language points) your test results, and pay the non-refundable registration fee. Only one active registration is allowed at a time.<\/p>\n

      3. Invitation to Apply<\/h3>\n

      The BC PNP periodically invites the highest-ranked registrants, also weighing region, community size, start-up vs. purchase, and priority sectors. From the invitation date you have 120 days (~4 months) to submit a complete application.<\/p>\n

      4. Net Worth Verification<\/h3>\n

      Only after being invited, engage a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm to verify your net worth and accumulation of funds. The firm may take up to 60 days; the report is valid for 12 months.<\/p>\n

      5. Apply (Decision Typically Within 4 Months)<\/h3>\n

      Submit the verification report, supporting documents and a comprehensive business plan (encouraged maximum 10 pages plus appendices, including an investment breakdown and two-year pro-forma financials), and pay the application fee. The application must be materially consistent with your registration or it may be refused.<\/p>\n

      6. Interview<\/h3>\n

      An interview is required if requested \u2014 conducted in English only, in Vancouver, with a certified court interpreter permitted if the form is filed at least 10 days ahead.<\/p>\n

      7. Performance Agreement and Work Permit<\/h3>\n

      If approved, you sign a performance agreement fixing your business type and location, investment amount, jobs, and residency\/management obligations. The BC PNP then issues a work permit support letter valid 90 days; you apply to IRCC for a work permit (typically two years). You must arrive in B.C. with a valid work permit within 365 days of the support letter, and the work permit issuance date becomes the “commencement date” for every milestone that follows. Your spouse or common-law partner is eligible for an open work permit and dependent children for study permits.<\/p>\n

      8. Establish the Business in B.C.<\/h3>\n

      Submit an arrival report within 60 days (including proof that $200,000 CAD has been transferred to a B.C. bank account from your personal foreign accounts), a progress check-in within 12 months, create your FTE job(s) by day 420, and complete your investment within 610 days.<\/p>\n

      9. Final Report and Nomination<\/h3>\n

      Submit one final report between day 550 and day 610 (~18\u201320 months) after work permit issuance, with CPA review-engagement financial statements and full supporting documentation. You must be physically in Canada at submission and remain until the decision \u2014 typically within four months. If approved, you sign the Conditions of Nomination and receive your confirmation of nomination.<\/p>\n

      10. Permanent Residence<\/h3>\n

      Your nomination is valid 180 days; apply to IRCC under the Provincial Nominee Class before it expires. IRCC makes the final decision on medical, security and admissibility, and the BC PNP continues supporting work permit extensions while you maintain your nomination conditions.<\/p>\n

      Nomination Conditions: What You Must Deliver<\/h2>\n