The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has recently issued new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under its Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams, encouraging foreign nationals interested in launching or acquiring businesses in the province. British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Parisa Erfani
Latest Draw Details – May 28, 2025
The BC PNP held draws for both its EI Base and EI Regional streams, issuing a total of up to 14 invitations. The selection was based on specific eligibility criteria and business plans.
| Stream | Cut-off Score | Number of Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| EI Regional Stream | 123 | Fewer than 5 |
| EI Base Stream | 115 | 9 |
So far in 2025, the entrepreneur streams have held eight draws, maintaining consistent activity, unlike the province’s skills-based streams, which have seen only one draw this year.
Stream-Specific Details
- EI Regional Stream:
This stream is aimed at entrepreneurs committed to establishing a new business in rural, participating communities. Applicants must receive a referral from the community to qualify for an ITA. Draws typically occur once a month. - EI Base Stream:
Entrepreneurs under this stream may choose to start a new business or buy an existing one anywhere in the province, including major cities like Vancouver. Invitations are issued based on multiple factors such as:- Registration score;
- Business location and community size;
- Whether the business is a start-up or purchase;
- Alignment with priority industry sectors.
Score-based invitations under the EI Base stream are issued periodically, but may be limited to manage processing times and prioritize strategic candidates.
About the Entrepreneur Immigration Streams
The BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration pathway offers two distinct options:
- EI Regional Stream – For new businesses in rural communities with mandatory community support;
- EI Base Stream – For business ventures anywhere in B.C., including acquisitions, without community endorsement.
Both streams differ in terms of investment requirements, net worth, business ownership, and reporting timelines.
British Columbia issues invitations under entrepreneur streams | CIC News
