Dear future neighbour,
British Columbia has once again opened its doors to entrepreneurs looking to build a future in Canada. On August 25, the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) held another round of invitations under its Entrepreneur Immigration category, giving 16 more business owners a shot at permanent residence.
If you’ve been dreaming of starting or growing a business in British Columbia while securing PR for yourself and your family, this draw is worth paying close attention to.
What happened in this draw
This was BC’s 21st PNP draw of the year and the ninth one dedicated specifically to entrepreneurs. Invited candidates now have the chance to apply for provincial nomination, which puts them on the path to Canadian permanent residence.
The invitations were split between two streams:
| Stream | Minimum score | Invitations issued |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 116 | 11 |
| Regional | 116 | 5 |
Interestingly, both streams shared the same cutoff score this time around, even though the numbers invited weren’t equal. Worth noting too: this round produced the highest number of Regional Stream invitations of any draw so far in 2026, a good sign for entrepreneurs eyeing opportunities outside Metro Vancouver.
How this draw compares to earlier ones this year
BC has been steady with its entrepreneur draws throughout 2026. Here’s how the recent rounds stack up:
| Date of draw | Stream | Invitations issued | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 25, 2026 | Base | 11 | 116 |
| Regional | 5 | 116 | |
| July 28, 2026 | Base | 10 | 117 |
| June 30, 2026 | Base | 14 | 118 |
| Regional | <5 | 113 | |
| June 2, 2026 | Base | 15 | 117 |
| Regional | <5 | 117 | |
| May 5, 2026 | Base | 8 | 115 |
| Regional | <5 | 115 | |
| April 14, 2026 | Base | 14 | 115 |
| March 10, 2026 | Base | 7 | 117 |
| Regional | <5 | 129 | |
| February 10, 2026 | Base | 13 | 121 |
| Regional | <5 | 105 | |
| January 13, 2026 | Base | 7 | 115 |
Altogether, BC has run nine entrepreneur selection rounds this year, resulting in 15 individual draws (nine Base and six Regional). More than 104 entrepreneurs have been invited so far in 2026, and when you combine that with BC’s other PNP streams, the province has issued over 4,942 invitations to date this year. That’s a lot of opportunity on the table.
Base Stream vs. Regional Stream: what’s the difference?
Both streams lead to the same destination, permanent residence through BC, but they don’t ask the same things of applicants. Here’s a side-by-side look:
| Criteria | Base Stream | Regional Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Business type | Launch a new business or take over and grow an existing one | Launch a new business outside Metro Vancouver Regional District |
| Business experience | 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 10 years | 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 5 years |
| Education* | Post-secondary credential | Post-secondary credential |
| Minimum language proficiency | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| Minimum personal net worth | $600,000 | $300,000 |
| Minimum investment | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| Minimum ownership | 31.33% | 51% |
| Community referral required? | No | Yes |
| Exploratory visit required? | No | Yes |
| Minimum registration score | 115/200 | 105/200 |
| Registration with co-applicant permitted? | Yes | No |
If you don’t have a post-secondary credential, you can still qualify by showing at least three years of hands-on business ownership and management experience within the past five years, as long as you fully owned the business.
Notice how the Regional Stream asks for a smaller investment and a lower net worth, but expects full ownership and a couple of extra steps. It’s built for entrepreneurs willing to set up shop outside the Metro Vancouver area, and in exchange, the province lowers the financial bar a little.
What the journey to PR actually looks like
Getting nominated isn’t a one-step process, but it is a clear one. Here’s the general path:
- Regional Stream applicants first pick a participating community that fits their business idea.
- Regional Stream applicants also complete an exploratory visit and secure a community referral.
- Put together a solid business proposal.
- Register with the BCPNP and get scored based on your human capital and economic profile.
- Wait for an invitation to apply in a future draw.
- Once invited, submit your nomination application within four months.
- If approved, apply to the federal government for a work permit.
- Move to BC and get your business up and running while on that work permit.
- Once you’ve met the program’s requirements, receive your provincial nomination.
From there, you can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence, no separate Express Entry profile needed for this route.
Thinking of building your business in BC?
Whether you’re eyeing a bustling opportunity in Metro Vancouver or looking to plant roots in a smaller BC community through the Regional Stream, this pathway can turn your entrepreneurial ambition into Canadian permanent residence for you and your family. But between choosing the right stream, building a business proposal that actually scores well, and navigating each step without missing a deadline, it helps to have someone in your corner who knows the process inside and out.
At Ese Umoh Immigration, we guide entrepreneurs and skilled workers through every route into Canada, including provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. If you’re ready to find out where you stand and map out your next move, book a consultation with us today: https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes