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1. What is Entrepreneur Immigration and Tech Pilot?
Entrepreneur Immigration and Tech Pilot are the streams of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).
2. Who Can Apply for the Entrepreneur Immigration category?
Individuals who intend to settle and invest in British Columbia may be eligible for Canadian permanent residence under this immigration stream. This program is broken down into two categories:
- Entrepreneur Immigration Category — This category is for senior managers or business owners who intend to invest funds into a proposed business in British Columbia.
- Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot — This new pilot is for international entrepreneurs looking to establish a new business in a small community in British Columbia.
Strategic Projects Category — Through this category, foreign-controlled companies can set up an operation in British Columbia. Up to five key foreign managerial, professional or technical staff members can be nominated for permanent residence in the province.
目录
3. Who Can Apply for Tech Pilot?
If you got a job offer of any of the following jobs of a year at least, then you might be qualified for Tech Pilot of British Colombia.
| Occupation | NOC |
| Telecommunication carriers managers | 0131 |
| Computer and information systems managers | 0213 |
| Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts | 0512 |
| Civil engineers | 2131 |
| Mechanical engineers | 2132 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 2133 |
| Chemical engineers | 2134 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 2147 |
| Information systems analysts and consultants | 2171 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 2172 |
| Software engineers and designers | 2173 |
| Computer programmers and interactive media developers | 2174 |
| Web designers and developers | 2175 |
| Biological technologists and technicians | 2221 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 2241 |
| Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) | 2242 |
| Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics | 2243 |
| Computer network technicians | 2281 |
| User support technicians | 2282 |
| Information systems testing technicians | 2283 |
| Authors and writers | 5121 |
| Editors | 5122 |
| Translators, terminologists and interpreters | 5125 |
| Broadcast technicians | 5224 |
| Audio and video recording technicians | 5225 |
| Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts | 5226 |
| Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts | 5227 |
| Graphic designers and illustrators | 5241 |
| Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade | 6221 |
4. What are the detailed criterion of both categories?
| Entrepreneur Immigration | |||
| Category | Job offer required? | Aligned with SIRS? | Basic criteria |
| Entrepreneur Immigration | No, but must create at least one job | No | High net worth; business proposal |
| Tech Pilot | |||
| Tech Pilot Extended till June 2021 | Yes | Yes |
|
4.1. Entrepreneur Immigration Category
In order to be eligible to register, individuals must:
- have a basic English or French language proficiency equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher.
- have been lawfully admitted in the country where they are currently residing;
- have at least a minimum of $600,000 in personal net worth. The personal net worth must be legally obtained and verifiable. The candidate must disclose personal net worth, including all your assets and those of your spouse or common-law partner, less any liabilities including mortgages and personal debts;
If invited to apply, individuals must obtain a verification report from a BC PNP-qualified supplier. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence to verify personal net worth and source of funds may result in the refusal of an application.
- have a minimum of three or more years as an active business owner-manager OR four or more years as a senior manager OR a combination of at least one year of experience as an active business owner-manager AND at least two years of experience as a senior manager (in the past 10 years);
- have a post-secondary credential OR experience as an active business owner-manager with 100 per cent ownership of the business for at least three of the past five years. The percentage of ownership of the business may be shared between the candidate, the spouse or common-law partner, and/or his or her dependent child(ren);
- provide details about the business concept specific to the proposal;
- demonstrate an eligible personal investment of at least $200,000 in the proposed business within 610 days (approximately 20 months) of arriving in B.C. on a BC PNP-supported work permit;
- demonstrate that the business will create at least one permanent, new full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada within 365 days (12 months) of the arrival date.
Business Concept Requirements
The registration must include a short business concept that will be assigned points based on proposed commercial viability, transferability of the candidate’s skills, and economic benefits. If the candidate is subsequently invited to apply, he or she will be required to submit a comprehensive business plan. The BC PNP will consider registrations to establish a new business, purchase an existing business, form a partnership with an existing business, and partner with a local or foreign entrepreneur to establish a new business.
4.2. Entrepreneur Immigration — Regional Pilot
International entrepreneurs approved through the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) — Regional Pilot will first obtain a temporary work permit to establish and run their business in British Columbia for at least 12 months in accordance with the terms of their established Performance Agreement.
To be considered eligible for the BC PNP EI Regional pilot, a potential entrepreneur applicant must:
- have a minimum personal net worth of $300,000;
- have active business ownership and senior management experience within the last 5 years that includes:
- 3 or more years of experience as an active business owner-manager; or
- 4 or more years of experience as a senior manager; or
- a combination of 1 or more years of experience as an active business owner/manager and 2 or more years of experience as a senior manager.
- demonstrate a minimum language proficiency equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4;
- provide a business plan to establish a new eligible business in an enrolled B.C. community;
- have either a post-secondary credential OR experience as a business owner/manager with 100% ownership of the business for at least 3 out of 5 years;
- demonstrate that he or she will hold at least 51 percent ownership of the proposed business; and
- be able to make a minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments in the proposed business (only if invited to apply). The BC PNP will not consider any investment made prior to the date of invitation.
Conduct a Community Exploratory Visit
All potential applicants must conduct an exploratory visit to the community in which they are hoping to establish their business. During the exploratory visit, the prospective EI Regional Pilot candidate is expected to present a business proposal to the community representative. The purpose of the visit is to obtain a community referral, which is a requirement to register to the BC PNP’s EI Regional Pilot.
Business proposal and referral request
In the business proposal, the applicant must provide a business plan to establish a new business in the participating B.C. community. The business must be established with the sole purpose of earning profits by providing products and/or services to the local community. The business must also demonstrate the potential for long-term financial success.
Ineligible businesses include bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based business, real estate development /brokerage, insurance or business brokerage.
For the community referral, the applicant must:
- Learn about the enrolled community and their priority industry sub-sectors;
- Understand the business conditions, local market and support services available to establish the business;
- Propose and develop a business concept that aligns with a priority industry sub-sector identified by the enrolled community;
- Meet with the designated community representative to discuss the business concept; and
Request a referral from the enrolled community so they can submit an online registration with the BC PNP.
4.3. Strategic Projects Category
To be eligible under the BC PNP Strategic Projects category, companies must:
- be in excellent financial health; provide evidence of good business practices and successful business operations outside Canada that are relevant to the proposed B.C. business.
- identify investment opportunities in B.C. based on commercial decisions and credible foundations.
- demonstrate that the proposed key employees are qualified senior employees who are essential to establishing and operating the business
In most cases, successful corporate applicants typically have at least 150 staff members and annual revenues of at least $20,000,000.
The company will be required to:
- make a minimum equity investment of at least $500,000 to establish or purchase and expand an eligible business in B.C.
- create at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff)
- establish or purchase and expand a company in B.C.
Steps to Apply to the BC PNP Strategic Projects Category
In order to apply to the BC PNP under the Strategic Projects Category, applicants must undergo 2 main steps before submit the application: Exploratory visit, and discuss their proposal.
1. Exploratory Visit
The BC PNP highly recommends that companies make an exploratory visit to B.C. to better understand the local business environment and opportunities prior to making an application.
2. Discussion of proposal
All Strategic Projects category applicants must first contact the BC PNP to discuss their business proposal and learn about the program. Companies are also required to register their interest to apply to the category, and provide the following information in their proposals:
- General company information (year of establishment, a description of business activities, sales revenue, number of employees, etc.);
- Description of the business the applicant intends to establish or purchase and expand in the province;
- Explanation of how the business is related to the company’s core business;
- Due diligence and commercial viabilities study that has been conducted;
- Rationale for the investment, including a detailed investment breakdown;
- Estimated annual revenue;
- Types of jobs the proposed business will create for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; and
- Other information as required.
4.4. Tech Pilot
Tech and IT workers may immigrate to BC and obtain Canadian permanent residence quickly through the BC Tech Pilot, which is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).
Workers in any of the listed eligible occupations may be eligible under the BC PNP Tech Pilot.
| Occupation | NOC |
| Telecommunication carriers managers | 0131 |
| Computer and information systems managers | 0213 |
| Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts | 0512 |
| Civil engineers | 2131 |
| Mechanical engineers | 2132 |
| Electrical and electronics engineers | 2133 |
| Chemical engineers | 2134 |
| Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 2147 |
| Information systems analysts and consultants | 2171 |
| Database analysts and data administrators | 2172 |
| Software engineers and designers | 2173 |
| Computer programmers and interactive media developers | 2174 |
| Web designers and developers | 2175 |
| Biological technologists and technicians | 2221 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 2241 |
| Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) | 2242 |
| Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics | 2243 |
| Computer network technicians | 2281 |
| User support technicians | 2282 |
| Information systems testing technicians | 2283 |
| Authors and writers | 5121 |
| Editors | 5122 |
| Translators, terminologists and interpreters | 5125 |
| Broadcast technicians | 5224 |
| Audio and video recording technicians | 5225 |
| Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts | 5226 |
| Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts | 5227 |
| Graphic designers and illustrators | 5241 |
| Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade | 6221 |
FAQ
If you are a bachelor degree student and you have a job offer of NOC 0, A, B in BC, then you may choose either EEBC International Graduate stream or International Graduate stream. If you find a job in one of the 29 tech occupations, then you may also apply for the Tech Pilot stream.
If you have higher degrees than Bachelor degree, then you may choose either International Post-Graduate or EEBC International Post-Graduate stream. However, your program must be completed in BC, and the major should be natural, applied or health science related.
If you don’t have a job offer, or your major is not tech or science related, then you may reach out to Federal Skilled Worker, or some other ways.
If you are a health worker, and you have a job offer from a public health authority as any of the following: nurse/nurse practitioner/psychiatric nurse/physician/specialist/midwife/allied health professionals, and you have 2 years of work experience in the area, you are qualified to apply the Health Care Professional Stream. Exceptions apply to midwives however, as they must be affiliated into an established practice group in BC for at least 6 months
If you have a job offer of NOC C, D in tourism, hospitality, long-haul trucking, food processing, you have worked 9 consecutive months in BC, and you have received 12 years of formal education at least, then you may be qualified for Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream. Long haul truckers must have 2 years of experience in the 3 years before apply, a valid BC class 1 driver’s licence and brake endorsement.
If you got a job offer of any of the following jobs of a year at least, then you might be qualified for Tech Pilot of British Colombia.