BC PNP ENTREPRENEUR IMMIGRATION: Regional Pilot (2023 Version)

The community contact will be interested in learning more about your proposal and can provide information about relevant supports and services to help you decide whether this community is the right place for your business.
The decision to invite a candidate for an exploratory visit is at the discretion of the community.

A community referral is required

After your visit to the community, if you feel that it is the right place for your business and your family, you may request a referral from the community. A referral allows entrepreneur candidates to register and apply for the EI Regional Pilot.

The decision to issue a referral is at the discretion of the community.

Requirements

The EI – Regional Pilot is designed for foreign entrepreneurs who are interested in starting a new business in a smaller community. If you want to settle in one that is not participating in the EI Regional Pilot, or purchase an existing business, you are not eligible for this stream.

Before considering the EI Regional Pilot, become familiar with the program criteria and check your eligibility. To qualify, you must:

• establish an eligible new business aligned with the priorities of the referring community
• show business and/or management experience
• have a personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000
• make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$100,000 in the business
• create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4
• have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada
• have been lawfully admitted in the country where you currently live

If you meet the criteria and have the experience that the community is seeking, you can connect directly with the designated community contact identified in the community’s profile page to learn more.

You can view the full list of participating communities below and on the community profiles pages.

Map of B.C. development regions

Full list of participating communities by development region

Cariboo

100 Mile House
Mackenzie
Prince George
Quesnel
Williams Lake

Kootenay

Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)
Columbia Valley & East Kootenay
Cranbrook
Kimberley
Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)
Rossland
Trail
West Boundary (Area E)

Mainland / Southwest

Lillooet

North Coast

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (Areas B, C, E)
Terrace

Northeast

Fort St. John
Tumbler Ridge

Thompson-Okanagan

Chase
Clinton
Penticton
Salmon Arm
Vernon

Vancouver Island/Coast

Campbell River
Comox
Mount Waddington
Port Alberni
Powell River

More information

For more information about the EI Regional Pilot, please email us at AyaseConsulting@gmail.com

Visit our documents page to find:

• The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot Program Guide, for complete, up-to-date program information and requirements for the EI Regional Pilot.
• The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Base Program Guide, for complete, up-to-date program information and requirements for EI Base.

To receive timely EI – Regional Pilot and other immigration program news, notice of upcoming webinars, and our quarterly newsletter, sign up for email updates.