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Ese Umoh Immigration – Canada Immigration Consultant   →  Blog   →  #BritishColumbia
August 10, 2026
August 10, 2026

British Columbia just opened its doors to workers in 5 In-Demand Sectors – Are you one of them?

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

If you’ve been trying to figure out your best shot at Canadian permanent residence, British Columbia just gave a very clear answer: it wants tradespeople, healthcare workers, and childcare professionals, and it’s not being shy about it.

On August 6, British Columbia invited 500 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). This was the province’s 11th Skills Immigration draw of the year and its 19th selection round overall. And unlike some rounds that spread invitations thin across dozens of professions, this one zeroed in on just five occupational categories that BC has flagged as urgent priorities.

The idea behind it is simple. BC reorganized its PNP earlier this year around what it calls “care and build” – meaning the province is chasing people who can either care for its residents (think nurses, doctors, childcare educators) or build its infrastructure (think electricians, welders, carpenters). If your job falls into one of these buckets, your pathway to permanent residence just got a lot more direct.

Where the invitations went

Construction trades workers picked up the largest share of invitations this round, but healthcare and childcare weren’t far behind. See the full breakdown below:

Core Objective Occupational Category NOCs Targeted Invitations Issued Minimum Score
Care Childcare 1 183 102
Care Healthcare 31 124 84
Care Education 2 Fewer than 5 68
Care Veterinary care 2 6 72
Build Construction trades 9 187 88

A few things worth flagging: childcare invitations went strictly to early childhood educators holding a valid ECE Certificate. Healthcare invitations covered a wide net – from physicians and nurses to lab technologists and social workers but candidates with a job offer as a nurse aide or orderly needed to be registered with BC’s Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry to qualify. On the education side, only French-speaking K-12 teachers with an NCLC 5 or higher made the cut. And for construction trades, you needed either a valid SkilledTradesBC certificate or an active apprenticeship tied to your job offer.

Since the year began, BC has now issued at least 4,236 invitations through its Skills Immigration category alone – proof that the province isn’t slowing down its push for skilled workers anytime soon.

What the registration pool looks like right now

Before anyone gets an invitation, they first need to submit an Expression of Interest and land in BC’s registration pool, where they’re scored and ranked. As of August 6, there were 8,306 people sitting in that pool:

Score Range Number of Registrations
0 – 59 212
60 – 69 373
70 – 79 739
80 – 89 1,219
90 – 99 1,468
100 – 109 1,651
110 – 119 1,332
120 – 129 1,023
130 – 139 241
140 – 149 38
150+ 10

Nearly one in five candidates in the pool score between 100 and 109 so if your profile lands in that range, you’re sitting right in the busiest part of the competition. Scoring higher, or getting a stronger job offer, can make a real difference in whether you’re picked next time around.

BC has also made clear that future draws could shift focus again, pulling from factors like education, professional designation, language ability, work experience, or even where in the province you plan to settle. In other words, staying informed and staying ready matters more than ever.

Not Sure If You Qualify? Let’s Find Out Together

Provincial nomination programs move fast, and eligibility criteria can change from one draw to the next which is exactly why so many hopeful applicants miss their window without even realizing it. If you work in construction, healthcare, childcare, education, or veterinary care, this could be your moment, but only if your application is built correctly and submitted on time.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients navigate every step of the process, from Express Entry and provincial nomination to work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. Don’t leave your Canadian dream to guesswork – book a one-on-one consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/30minutes and let’s map out the pathway that fits your situation best.

August 3, 2026
August 3, 2026

British Columbia Invites 10 More Entrepreneurs in Latest Immigration Draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Got a business idea and dreams of building it in Canada? British Columbia just made that a little more possible.

On July 28, the province invited 10 entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through the Base Stream of the BC Provincial Nominee Program’s Entrepreneur Immigration category. Candidates needed a score of at least 117 out of 200 to make the cut this round.

This marks BC’s eighth entrepreneur-focused draw of the year, and it’s part of a bigger trend worth paying attention to if business immigration is on your radar.

How this draw compares to earlier rounds in 2026

Date of Draw Stream Number of Invitations Minimum Score
July 28 Base 10 117
June 30 Base 14 118
June 30 Regional Fewer than 5 113
June 2 Base 15 117
June 2 Regional Fewer than 5 117
May 5 Base 8 115
May 5 Regional Fewer than 5 115
April 14 Base 14 115
March 10 Base 7 117
March 10 Regional Fewer than 5 129
February 10 Base 13 121
February 10 Regional Fewer than 5 105
January 13 Base 7 115

Altogether, BC has now held 13 entrepreneur draws this year, split between the Base Stream (8 draws) and the Regional Stream (5 draws). The July 28 round was one of only three draws all year reserved solely for Base Stream candidates. Base Stream cutoff scores have moved between 115 and 121 throughout 2026, so competition has stayed fairly steady rather than spiking dramatically.

So far this year, BC has issued at least 88 invitations through its Entrepreneur Immigration category alone. Add in invitations from the Skills Immigration category, and the province has issued more than 3,824 provincial nomination invitations in total in 2026.

What sets the Base Stream and Regional Stream apart

If you’re weighing your options as a business-minded applicant, the stream you qualify for makes a real difference in what’s required of you.

Criteria Base Stream Regional Stream
Business type Start a new business or take over and grow an existing one Start a new business outside Metro Vancouver
Business experience 3 years as an owner-manager in the last 10 years 3 years as an owner-manager in the last 5 years
Education Post-secondary credential* Post-secondary credential
Minimum language level 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
Co-applicant registration allowed Yes No

If you don’t have a post-secondary credential, you’ll need to show full (100%) ownership and hands-on management of a business for at least three of the last five years.

Regional Stream applicants carry two extra steps that Base Stream applicants don’t: finding a participating community that fits their business plan, and completing an exploratory visit to secure a referral from that community. Beyond that, the path to permanent residence looks fairly similar either way;

  • Build a business proposal
  • Register with the BCPNP
  • Wait for an invitation,
  • Submit your nomination application
  • Get your work permit, and
  • Actually run the business in BC before receiving your provincial nomination.
  • Once nominated, you can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence.

This latest entrepreneur draw came shortly after BC ran its first-ever selection under a brand new Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative, aimed at health authority cleaners and security staff. It’s a sign the province is actively widening its immigration toolkit this year, not just recycling the same categories.

Thinking About Starting a Business in Canada? Let’s Discuss

Numbers like “minimum net worth” and “ownership percentage” can feel overwhelming when you’re just trying to figure out if you even qualify. That’s exactly where we come in. Whether you’re eyeing the Base Stream, the Regional Stream, or still deciding which province fits your business plan best, we’ll walk you through your options, help you build a strong application, and keep you from wasting time on a stream you don’t qualify for.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we support clients across the full spectrum of Canadian immigration; provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions.

Ready to find out where you stand? Book a consultation with us today and let’s get your business in Canada off the ground.

 

July 27, 2026
July 27, 2026

250 Health Support Workers Could Get Permanent Residence in B.C. – Here’s How

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Imagine putting in months of hard work as a cleaner or security guard at a hospital, only to realize there’s now a real, documented path from that job straight to permanent residence. That’s exactly what’s unfolding in British Columbia right now.

On July 23, B.C. ran its very first selection round under a brand-new pathway to permanent residence, and it invited 60 health authority workers to apply. What made this round stand out wasn’t just that it was the first of its kind; it also had the lowest cut-off score the province has used all year, just 50 points.

That’s a big deal. It tells us the province is actively trying to bring more people into this stream, not just testing the waters.

The Jobs That Qualify

This isn’t open to every occupation. You need a permanent, full-time position in one of these three roles:

  • Janitors, caretakers, and heavy-duty cleaners
  • Light-duty cleaners
  • Security guards and related security service occupations

And your employer has to be one of B.C.’s eight public health authorities:

  • First Nations Health Authority
  • Fraser Health
  • Interior Health
  • Island Health
  • Northern Health
  • Providence Health Care
  • Provincial Health Services Authority
  • Vancouver Coastal Health

Each authority reviews and decides which applications it’s willing to support, so getting your employer on board early really matters here.

What You Need Before You Apply

Nine months. That’s the minimum full-time experience you need in one of those roles, with the same employer, before you can even register. On top of that:

  • You need a valid job offer both when you register and when you apply and you have to stay in that job the whole time your application is processed.
  • A high school diploma is required.
  • You must meet the minimum income threshold for the entire nine-month period before applying.

Worth noting: time spent working on a study permit, or as part of a school program like a co-op placement, won’t count toward your nine months. Neither will any break longer than two weeks. So if you’ve had gaps or your work history includes school-related placements, it’s worth double-checking how your timeline actually adds up.

Not Every Region Qualifies

Since this program targets rural and remote communities, a few of B.C.’s busier regions are excluded entirely:

  • Central Okanagan Regional District
  • Metro Vancouver Regional District
  • Capital Regional District – with the exception of Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Salt Spring Island, and Saturna Island, which remain eligible

If your job offer falls in one of the excluded areas, unfortunately this particular pathway won’t apply to you, even if everything else lines up.

Why Now?

This program didn’t appear out of nowhere. Back in April, B.C. rebuilt its entire Provincial Nominee Program from the ground up, moving away from some of its older graduate and entry-level pathways and putting its focus on healthcare and skilled trades instead. The province organized its priorities for 2026 around three themes – strengthening care services, supporting infrastructure, and driving innovation and this new initiative sits under the “Care” pillar.

Part of what’s driving this shift is simple math. B.C.’s federal nomination allocation dropped from 8,000 in 2024 to 5,254 in 2026, despite the province asking Ottawa for 9,000 spots. With fewer nominations available, B.C. is being far more selective about who they go to, and healthcare support staff are clearly a priority right now.

The Window Is Open, But Not Forever

Registration for this initiative started June 15 and closes August 31, 2026. If you’re currently working in one of these roles for a B.C. health authority, this could be one of the more direct routes to permanent residence you’ll come across, but the eligibility details are specific and easy to get wrong, especially around regional exclusions and how your nine months of experience is calculated.

Don’t Navigate This Alone

New immigration pathways like this move fast, and the rules can be layered in ways that aren’t always obvious at first glance. Whether you’re trying to make sense of this health support initiative, exploring Express Entry, or need help with work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions, having someone in your corner who understands the details can save you from costly mistakes.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help people turn opportunities like this into real results. Book a consultation with us today and let’s figure out exactly where you stand and what your next best step looks like.

 

July 21, 2026
July 21, 2026

British Columbia invites 569 candidates in its largest 2026 PNP draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

If you’ve been watching for your chance to land a British Columbia provincial nomination, this is worth paying attention to. On July 16, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) issued invitations to 569 candidates in what has turned out to be the province’s largest selection round so far this year.

This single draw pulled in more hopeful applicants than any other round British Columbia has run in 2026, and it says a lot about how the province is currently choosing its newest permanent residents.

How the invitations were split

BC didn’t invite everyone the same way. Candidates were selected through one of two routes, and the numbers tell an interesting story:

Selection criteria Details Invitations issued
Registration score Minimum of 132 points 346
Wage/salary + job offer TEER 0–3 job offer, with a wage of at least $58/hour (about $115,000/year) 223

What stands out here is that registration score-based invitations made up the biggest share of any Skills Immigration round BC has held all year. In other words, having a strong profile score mattered more in this draw than it has in previous ones.

These invitations were issued under BC’s Innovate initiative, a strategy the province uses to bring in high-impact talent across a wide range of sectors, not just the usual tech and healthcare names we tend to hear about. Interestingly, BC didn’t publish which occupations or industries the successful candidates came from this time around.

The bigger picture for 2026

This wasn’t a one-off. British Columbia has now run 16 selection rounds so far this year, with Skills Immigration candidates targeted in nine of them. Of those, six were based on the same registration score and wage criteria used in this latest draw, while three focused on candidates working in specific high-demand occupations.

Altogether, the province has sent out at least 3,676 invitations to apply through its Skills Immigration category since the year began.

BC has also been clear that future rounds won’t necessarily follow the same pattern. Selection could shift based on a candidate’s education, work experience, language ability, occupation, job offer wage, intention to settle in a specific region, or broader labour market needs. If you’re planning your move, this is exactly why staying informed (and prepared) matters.

What the registration pool looks like right now

Every candidate hoping to be invited first has to submit a registration profile, which gets scored and placed into a pool. This is how that pool looked as of July 7, the latest available snapshot:

Score range Number of registrations
0 – 59 209
60 – 69 381
70 – 79 729
80 – 89 1,227
90 – 99 1,496
100 – 109 1,728
110 – 119 1,369
120 – 129 1,058
130 – 139 440
140 – 149 34
150+ 12

With over 8,600 people in the pool and only the top scorers getting picked in each round, competition is real. A score in the 130+ range clearly gives you a much stronger shot, which is why understanding where you stand — and how to improve your profile — can make all the difference.

Ready to Make Your Move to British Columbia?

British Columbia is clearly not slowing down, and rounds like this one show just how many pathways exist for skilled workers, professionals, and job-offer holders to earn a nomination. But with scoring thresholds shifting and criteria changing from draw to draw, going in without a clear strategy can cost you time you don’t have to lose.

Whether you’re exploring provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions, we’re here to help you figure out the smartest route forward. Book a one-on-one consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s map out a plan built around your goals.

July 13, 2026
July 13, 2026

British Columbia issues 343 invitations to Care and Construction Workers in latest draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia just opened another door for skilled workers, and this time the spotlight is firmly on two groups:

  • people who care for others, and
  • people who build things.

On July 9, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) ran another targeted Skills Immigration draw, sending out 343 invitations to candidates working in care-based roles and construction trades. It’s the eighth Skills Immigration round the province has held this year, and the 15th selection overall, and it confirms something worth paying attention to: BC’s immigration priorities have genuinely shifted, and they’re not shifting back anytime soon.

Back in April, the province restructured its nomination priorities to focus squarely on healthcare and skilled trades, moving away from broader tech and entry-level pathways. This latest draw is a clear continuation of that plan, built around two of BC’s three core selection goals: care and build.

This is how the invitations broke down across occupational categories:

Core objective Occupational category Number of NOCs targeted Invitations issued Minimum score
Care Childcare 1 91 108
Care Healthcare 31 116 96
Care Veterinary care 2 <5 88
Build Construction trades 9 136 97

Construction trades came out on top in terms of sheer numbers, with 136 invitations going to workers in occupations like welding, electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC. But healthcare wasn’t far behind, with 116 invitations spread across a long list of roles.

Who exactly qualified?

For childcare, only early childhood educators made the cut this round, and only those holding a valid one-year or five-year ECE Certificate from the ECE registry.

Healthcare was the broadest category by far, covering everyone from physicians, dentists, and pharmacists to registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical lab technologists, social workers, and more. If you work in a health-related occupation in BC, there’s a good chance your role was on this list.

Veterinary care candidates needed a valid professional designation to qualify, covering veterinarians and veterinary technicians and technologists.

And for construction trades, workers needed a valid trade certificate from SkilledTradesBC, or registration in a matching SkilledTradesBC apprenticeship, to be considered.

This is BC’s third occupation-specific draw of the year. Its other rounds this year have leaned on different criteria altogether, things like registration score, salary, or job offer skill level, so the province is clearly keeping its options open on how future draws will be shaped. Going forward, BC says invitations could be influenced by education, professional designation, language ability, occupation, wage, regional intentions, or broader labour market strategy.

As of July 9, British Columbia has issued at least 3,107 invitations through its Skills Immigration category so far.

A quick look at the pool

As of July 7, there were 8,683 people sitting in the BCPNP registration pool, and here’s how their scores were spread out:

Score range Number of registrations
0 – 59 209
60 – 69 381
70 – 79 729
80 – 89 1,227
90 – 99 1,496
100 – 109 1,728
110 – 119 1,369
120 – 129 1,058
130 – 139 440
140 – 149 34
150+ 12

Most candidates sit in the 100 to 109 range, making up close to 20% of the whole pool. After this round’s 343 invitations went out, that pool has likely shrunk a bit, though the exact number will depend on expired profiles and new registrations coming in.

What this means if you’re in a care or trades occupation

If you work in healthcare, childcare, veterinary services, or the trades, this draw is a strong signal that BC still wants you. But qualifying on paper and actually building a competitive profile are two different things. Score thresholds, certification requirements, and shifting draw criteria can trip up even well-qualified applicants, and BC has shown this year that it isn’t afraid to change the rules of the game from one draw to the next.

Let’s help you turn this opportunity into a real plan

A draw like this only matters if you’re positioned to take advantage of it. Whether you’re weighing your options for Express Entry, provincial nomination, a work permit, a postgraduate work permit, spousal sponsorship, a visitor visa, a super visa, citizenship, or school admissions, getting the right guidance early can save you months of guesswork and costly mistakes. Book a one-on-one consultation with us at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s discuss the path that actually fits your situation.

July 6, 2026
July 6, 2026

Thinking of building a business in Canada? BC’s Entrepreneur program might be your way in

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Got a business idea and dreaming of building it in Canada? British Columbia just gave entrepreneurs another reason to pay attention. On June 30, the province ran a fresh selection round through its Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) category, reaching out to business owners who want to either start something new in BC or take over and grow an existing business there.

This wasn’t a one-off. It’s actually the seventh time this year that BC has specifically targeted entrepreneurs through this program, and it’s already the second EI draw this month alone, a noticeably faster pace than the roughly one-a-month rhythm the province had been keeping through most of 2026.

See below draw details

BC’s Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) invited candidates from both of its EI streams, though not equally. The province leaned harder into its Base Stream this time:

Stream Minimum score Invitations issued
Base Stream 118 14
Regional Stream 113 Fewer than 5

Worth noting: aside from the February 10 round, this draw produced the highest Base Stream cutoff score and the lowest Regional Stream cutoff score of the year so far.

BC has now held 12 EI draws in 2026, seven Base Stream and five Regional Stream – issuing at least 78 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in total.

Base Stream or Regional Stream – which one fits you?

Both pathways lead to the same destination (permanent residence), but they ask different things of you along the way.

Criteria Base Stream Regional Stream
Business type Launch new or take over and grow existing Launch new business outside Metro Vancouver
Business experience 3 years as owner-manager in the last 10 years 3 years as owner-manager in the last 5 years
Education Post-secondary credential* Post-secondary credential*
Minimum language level CLB 4 CLB 4
Minimum net worth $600,000 $300,000
Minimum investment $200,000 $100,000
Minimum ownership stake 31.33% 51%
Community referral needed? No Yes
Exploratory visit needed? No Yes
Minimum registration score 115/200 105/200
Co-applicant on registration? Yes No

If you don’t have a post-secondary credential, you’ll need at least three of the past five years as an active, fully-owning business owner-manager instead.

The Regional Stream asks for a lower net worth and investment, but it comes with two extra steps:

  • finding a participating community that fits your business, and
  • completing an exploratory visit to secure a referral

The Base Stream skips those, but demands deeper pockets and a bigger investment.

From there, the path looks similar either way:

  • Develop your business proposal
  • Register and get scored on your human capital and economic factors
  • Wait for an invitation
  • Submit your nomination application within four months of getting that ITA
  • Apply for a work permit once approved
  • Get your business up and running in BC, and finally
  • Receive your nomination for permanent residence once you’ve met the program’s conditions. After that, you apply directly to IRCC for PR.

Let’s Map Your Path to Business Immigration in Canada

Numbers like these tell a bigger story, BC is actively looking for entrepreneurs, and the door is open right now. But getting from “I have a business idea” to “I have my PR” involves a lot of moving parts: choosing the right stream, building a proposal that actually scores well, and staying on top of tight deadlines once your ITA lands. A single misstep can cost you months, or the opportunity altogether.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help entrepreneurs, workers, families, and students find their best route into Canada whether that’s provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions. If BC’s entrepreneur streams sound like your kind of opportunity, let’s talk it through together. Book your consultation here and let’s get your business and your future moving in the right direction.

June 22, 2026
June 22, 2026

British Columbia invites high earners and high scorers in its latest PNP draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia is still making moves. On June 18, 2026, the province’s Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) wrapped up its 13th selection round of the year, and this one was specifically targeted at what the province calls “high economic impact” candidates. A total of 279 people received invitations to apply for provincial nomination through the Skills Immigration (SI) category, making it the seventh SI draw British Columbia has conducted so far in 2026.

So who exactly got invited, and what does this draw mean for you?

Two types of candidates qualified for invitations in this round. The first group had a job offer in a TEER 0 to 3 occupation with an offered wage of at least $62 per hour (roughly $125,000 per year). The second group was selected based on their registration score, with a minimum score of 136 required to receive an invitation.

See below breakdown of draw details:

Selection Criteria Invitations Issued Minimum Score
Wage/salary + job offer TEER 0–3 job offer with an offered wage of at least $62/hour (≈ $125,000/year) N/A
Registration score Minimum point total 136

The majority of invitations which was about 53.4%, went to candidates selected by registration score rather than wage. Both categories fall under British Columbia’s “Innovate” initiative, which is the province’s way of targeting top talent across all sectors to fuel long-term economic growth. Interestingly, BC did not disclose the specific occupations or sectors of those invited in this particular draw.

One thing worth noting: this was actually the smallest SI draw the province has run all year. For context, the largest draw of 2026 took place back on April 22, when 484 candidates were invited under the same selection criteria. As of June 18, British Columbia had issued a total of 2,764 SI invitations in 2026.

It’s also good to know that high economic impact invitations aren’t always tied only to wage or registration score. Future draws could factor in things like your education level and field of study, professional designations in the province, work experience, language ability, your specific occupation, where in BC you plan to live, or broader strategic priorities tied to the province’s labour market needs.

Now let’s talk about the registration pool, because this is where it gets really useful if you’re planning ahead. As of June 2, 2026 (the most recently available data), there were 9,902 active registrations in the BCPNP Skills Immigration pool. Here’s how scores were distributed:

Score Range Number of Registrations
0 – 59 221
60 – 69 427
70 – 79 858
80 – 89 1,388
90 – 99 1,829
100 – 109 2,039
110 – 119 1,532
120 – 129 1,128
130 – 139 430
140 – 149 44
150+ 6

The biggest cluster of candidates sits in the 100–109 score range, accounting for about 20.6% of the entire pool. If your score is currently in that range, you can see just how competitive things are and why working to push your score higher could make a real difference in when you get noticed.

Beyond Skills Immigration, British Columbia has also been active on the entrepreneurship side, running six Entrepreneur Immigration selection rounds this year and inviting at least 54 entrepreneurs so far.

 

Your Path to British Columbia Starts With the Right Guidance

Whether your score is sitting comfortably above 136 or you’re still working toward that threshold, understanding exactly where you stand and what can be done to improve your chances, is the kind of clarity that changes everything. We help clients navigate provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, school admissions, and more.

Book a consultation today with your preferred link below and let’s talk about what British Columbia or any other province could look like for you.

30-minute Quick and Focused Session

1-hour Comprehensive and In-depth Session

August 26, 2025
August 26, 2025

British Columbia PNP Issues New Entrepreneur Invitations

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia held its most recent Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw on August 19, 2025, focusing exclusively on the Entrepreneur Immigration Stream. The draw reflects the province’s continued prioritization of business-minded applicants who can contribute directly to BC’s economy, while general Skills Immigration draws remain on pause.

Draw Highlights – August 19, 2025

  • Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category

    • Invitations Issued: 11

    • Minimum Score Required: 124

  • Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot

    • Invitations Issued: Fewer than 5

    • Minimum Score Required: 115

With this round, British Columbia has now issued approximately 169 invitations through the Entrepreneur Stream in 2025.

Immigration Pathways Narrow in 2025

Unlike in previous years, Skills Immigration draws have been largely paused. The last round took place on May 8, 2025, when the province invited 94 candidates who were either:

  • High-wage earners in BC (at least $105 per hour, working in TEER 0 or TEER 1 roles), or

  • High-scoring candidates with at least 150 points in the Skills Immigration Registration System.

The pause in regular Skills Immigration rounds follows a sharp cut in BC’s annual nomination allocation — down from 8,000 in 2024 to just 4,000 in 2025. As a result, BC has shifted its strategy toward high-impact candidates and business investors who can generate immediate economic benefits.

Entrepreneur Immigration (EI)

BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration stream allows foreign nationals to start a new business or buy and manage an existing one in British Columbia.

  • EI Base: For entrepreneurs who plan to open or purchase a business anywhere in BC.

  • EI Regional: For those who want to set up a new business in smaller, participating communities across the province.

Each option has its own rules on minimum net worth, investment, and ownership share.

Development region Participating communities
Cariboo -Mackenzie

-Quesnel
Kootenay -Castlegar and Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)

-Columbia Valley and East Kootenay

-Kimberley

-Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)

-Rossland

-Trail
Nechako -Bulkley-Nechako
Northeast -Fort St. John
Thompson-Okanagan -Penticton

-Salmon Arm

-Vernon
Vancouver Island/Coast -Cambell River

-Comox

-Mount Waddington

-Powell River

Implications for Applicants

  • Entrepreneur Immigration Remains Active
    For prospective business owners and investors, the Entrepreneur Stream is one of the few active immigration channels in BC right now. However, cutoff scores remain high, meaning applicants must present competitive business proposals, strong experience, and sufficient investment capital.

  • Skills Immigration Uncertainty
    Skilled workers hoping for BC PNP invitations face uncertainty, as the program has limited draws to select groups. For now, the general and targeted occupation draws remain paused. Candidates in this pool may need to explore federal programs such as Express Entry or alternative provincial nominee streams.

Next Steps

British Columbia’s immigration program in 2025 highlights the province’s need to balance federal nomination limits with its economic priorities. While skilled worker opportunities are currently restricted, the Entrepreneur Stream continues to offer a pathway for applicants who can contribute jobs and investment.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

July 14, 2025
July 14, 2025

British Columbia invites candidates in latest BC PNP draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia extended more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to immigrant entrepreneurs in the just concluded week.

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) selected less than 17 candidates through two Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams: the EI Base and EI Regional streams.

See below details of BC PNP Draw:

Stream Number of invitations issued Cut-off score
EI Base stream 12 121
EI Regional stream <5 115

This was the fifth entrepreneur-focused draw in 2025.

So far this year, nearly all draws have targeted entrepreneurs, except for one skilled worker draw on May 8.

Up to 39 invitations have gone through the EI Base stream and no more than 20 through the EI Regional stream. No draws have happened under the EI Strategic Projects stream yet.

Entrepreneur Pathways to B.C.

Foreign entrepreneurs can apply to start or buy a business in B.C. through either the EI Base or Regional stream. Each stream has different eligibility rules, including personal net worth and investment amount.

The EI Regional stream is for starting a new business in a rural community. Applicants must first visit and get a referral from that community.

The EI Base stream allows entrepreneurs to start or buy a business anywhere in B.C. and does not require a referral.

To qualify, Regional stream candidates need a score of at least 105/200, and Base stream candidates need at least 115/200. Both require the creation of one full-time job for a Canadian or permanent resident.

Most applications receive a decision within four months.

Need help with your Canadian immigration process?

Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, submitting a work permit or visa application, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI), setting up an Express Entry or Provincial Nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an Invitation to Apply, or simply want a professional review of your self-prepared application, we’re here to assist you.

Schedule a consultation or contact us at:
info@eseumohimmigration.com

June 3, 2025
June 3, 2025

British Columbia sends 13 invitations in Latest Entrepreneur Immigration Draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

On May 28, 2025, the province of British Columbia held its newest immigration draw for entrepreneurs who want to start or invest in businesses in the province. A total of 13 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued under the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams, which are part of the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP).

See below key details of the Draw:

  • Draw Date: May 28, 2025

  • Streams: Entrepreneur Immigration – Base and Regional

  • Total Invitations: 13

    • Base Category: 9 invitations

    • Regional Category: Fewer than 5 invitations

  • Minimum Scores Required:

    • Base Category: 115

    • Regional Category: 123

The Base Category is for entrepreneurs who plan to invest in or launch a business in larger cities in B.C., while the Regional Category is aimed at encouraging businesses in smaller towns and rural communities.

Changes in 2025: Fewer Nomination Spaces

In 2025, British Columbia received a lower number of nomination spaces from the federal government — only 4,000 spots for all immigration streams. This is half of what was available in previous years. Because of this, the province is being more selective about who they invite, choosing applicants who can make a real and immediate economic impact.

That’s why entrepreneurs with strong business plans and the ability to support the local economy are being prioritized.

Requirements to Qualify

Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category:

  • Minimum net worth of CAD $600,000

  • Investment of at least CAD $200,000

  • Must actively manage the business in B.C.

  • Must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian or permanent resident

  • Minimum points score of 115

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Category:

  • Minimum net worth of CAD $300,000

  • Investment of at least CAD $100,000

  • Must actively manage the business

  • Must create at least one full-time job

  • Minimum points score of 123

  • Must be referred by a participating small community in B.C.

What This Means for Entrepreneurs

This latest draw highlights B.C.’s focus on inviting experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to build or grow businesses in the province. The high minimum scores and limited invitations show that competition is strong, and only top candidates are being selected.

If you’re an entrepreneur considering moving to Canada through the BC PNP, it’s important to:

  • Make sure your business idea fits the province’s goals,

  • Build connections with regional communities (especially for the Regional stream), and

  • Prepare all documents and financial proof in advance.

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

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