The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is an immigration program which seeks to attract qualified immigrants to work or invest in the province of BC. This includes the cities of Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.

The British Columbia PNP accepts applications from workers who can make a positive contribution to B.C.’s economy and society.

Successful candidates are presented with a work permit, and are eligible to apply for a permanent resident visa through CIC as a Provincial Nominee together with their spouse and dependent children.

Under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you may qualify under one of two streams:

1. BRITISH COLUMBIA PNP STRATEGIC OCCUPATIONS STREAM

This category supports B.C. employers who need qualified foreign workers. To apply you must have a job offer from a qualified employer in British Columbia. The job must satisfy a skill or labour shortage that cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The applicant must be either:

• A skilled worker NOC Levels O, A, B Managers, professionals, technologists and technicians, and skilled trade occupations. These occupations generally require post-secondary education or training, and several years of employment experience. An applicant must be qualified for the job that the employer is looking to fill. This may require specific federal or provincial certification OR
• A health care professional, specifically doctors, nurses, and midwives, although other health care professionals may also qualify; OR
• An international graduate of a recognized British Columbia post-secondary institution, who has obtained a degree or diploma in BC. Under this category, the graduate does not require work experience. However, the degree or diploma must be in an eligible field of study OR
• A semi-skilled worker in select Tourism/Hospitality occupations and Long-Haul Trucking occupations. (This Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled category is currently a two year pilot project).

2. BRITISH COLUMBIA PNP BUSINESS IMMIGRANTS STREAM

The primary purpose of a business is to earn profits and benefit the local economy by providing goods, services, knowledge and employment.

There are three different categories of the Business Immigrants Stream: 1. Business Skills, 2. Regional Business, and 3. Strategic Projects.

To establish or purchase and expand a business in BC, applicants must meet the following conditions under one of the of the three categories:

1. Business Skills Category, applicants must demonstrate that they have:

• the skills and experience to establish and feasibly operate a commercial business in B.C.
• a net worth of at least $800,000 CAD obtained from legal sources.
• a workable business proposal.

They must also:

• Make a personal investment of at least $400,000 CAD to establish or to purchase an eligible business anywhere in B.C.
• Create at least 3 new jobs in the business for Canadians or permanent residents.
• Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of the business.
• Provide active and on-going participation in the day to day management and direction of the business.
• Sign an agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

2. Regional Business Category, applicants must demonstrate that they have:

• the skills and experience to establish and operate a commercially feasible business in B.C.
• a net worth of at least $400,000 CAD obtained from legal sources.
• a workable business proposal.

They must also:

• Invest at least $200,000 CAD to establish or to purchase an eligible business anywhere in B.C. outside of the Vancouver metropolitan area or the Abbotsford metropolitan area.
• Create at least one new job in the business for a Canadian or permanent resident.
• Own at least one third (33 1/3%) of the equity of the business.
• Sign a Performance Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
• Sign a Deposit Agreement with the Province of British Columbia if they are seeking a Fast Track nomination.

3. Strategic Projects Category:

Strategic Projects helps foreign-companies to establish a business in B.C., and to apply for the entry of foreign staff, (to a maximum of 5 per company), who intend to become permanent residents of Canada and settle in B.C.

Companies applying in this category will be required to:

• Make a minimum equity investment of $500,000.
• Create at least three jobs for Canadians or permanent residents in B.C. for each foreign nominee application.
• Establish that nominees are essential to the proposed business.
• Demonstrate a record of good business practices and successful business operations outside of Canada.
• Establish or purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in B.C.
• Incorporate a Canadian subsidiary or register an extra-provincial company in B.C. to operate the proposed business.

Note: Business Skills and Regional Business Applicants can seek fast-track nomination by posting a $125,000 performance deposit and signing a Deposit Agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

For further inquiries about the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Business Categories, you may contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Click here for a Free Assessment.