Entrepreneur is someone who operates one or more than one business venture. They are the risk takers, monitor and control the complete business activity. Are you an entrepreneur and ready to take the risk to migrate to foreign shores? If your answer is ‘yes’, then you must think about the BCPNP British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Programme.

BCPNP British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Programme

The BCPNP stream is an economic immigration programme. It aims to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to create and explore business opportunities in the Canadian province and simultaneously create fresh job opportunities for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. The stream is ideal for those experienced entrepreneurs who are eager to invest in the B.C. and wish to acquire Canadian Permanent Residency (PR).

The province selects international graduates and foreign skilled workers who have experience and skill that can be used for economic development of the province.

B.C. has opened its doors for entrepreneurs from every corner of the world through an online registration system. It aims to simplify the complete immigration process and reduce the processing time.

The BCPNP accepts only 200 applications every month and interested entrepreneurs may register themselves with the online Registration system.

Before an applicant is invited to streamline the application, each application is assessed on various factors, such as adaptability, age, language proficiency, experience, business plan and personal net worth.

Only those, who score the highest points on the assessment grid, are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Eligible applicants will have maximum four months to submit their application.

Personal Requirements

1. The candidate must have completed at least two years of post secondary education or own/manage a business venture independently for not less than three years in the last five years.
2. He must have legally obtained personal net worth of CAD $600,000 in his/her name, or in the name of legal partner.
3. He must be able to proof that he has experience and knowledge to establish and run his business in the province.
4. An ideal candidate must have:

• managed a business for at-least three years, or
• have worked at the senior manager level for at least four years, or
• The candidate must have owned or managed a business for minimum one year and must have worked at the senior level for at least two years.

Investment Requirements

To register, the candidate must give a commitment to make an investment of not less than CAD$200,000 in the proposed business plan. If the candidate wishes to bring along a staff member to work in B.C., then he must make an investment of CAD $400,000.

Business Requirements

At the time of registration, the applicant must submit a small business plan. On the basis of economic benefits, candidate’s skills and transferability points are awarded on the point’s grid. If the candidate is invited to apply then he will have to submit a comprehensive business proposal.

In the past these businesses have been used for BCPNP, namely, small manufacturers, small hotels, restaurants and clothing retail.