A Brief Overview of BCPNP Options Including BC PNP Entrepreneur Pathways

A Brief Overview of BCPNP Options Including BC PNP Entrepreneur Pathways

The BC PNP Concept is a great way for foreign workers, international students, and entrepreneurs to immigrate to BC, Canada.

Beautiful British Columbia is known for its awe-inspiring landscapes and multi-cultural atmosphere. Each year, BC welcomes thousands of immigrants under its PNP British Columbia Program. For many, this offers a great opportunity to live and work in Canada.

While the BC Provincial Nominee Program is extremely popular, it can be quite complex to navigate. But we’re here to help!

Let’s take a look at what this program entails and the various pathways through which hopeful immigrants can apply.

What is the BCPNP? The BCPNP, or British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, is an immigration program offered through the Canadian province of British Columbia. This program allows a limited number of nominees to apply for permanent residency in BC each year.

Foreign individuals with desirable skills and occupations, as well as experienced entrepreneurs, are invited to immigrate to British Columbia through this program. These nominees are invited based on their National Occupational Classification. This classification

allows the BC government to evaluate each candidate’s skilled work experience and probable contributions to the province. This allows BC to prioritize those with qualifications in highdemand occupations.

Every year, the federal government establishes the number of nominees that each province and territory can select.

PNP British Columbia Pathways There are several ways to become a permanent resident through the BC Provincial Nominee Program.

1. Skills Immigration The Skills Immigration (SI) pathway is for immigrants who possess the skills, experience, and qualifications necessary to fulfill positions in high demand occupations in the province.

There are various categories under which an applicant can apply. Each category has its own eligibility requirements. SI BC Provincial Nominee Program categories include: •

Skilled Workers – skilled workers in professional jobs, administrative positions, technical fields, trades, or other skilled occupations. Applicants must have related work experience, although work experience from abroad is recognized.

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International Graduates – recent graduates from eligible Canadian universities and colleges. Depending on the applicant’s job offer, they may or may not be required to have work experience.

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International Post-Graduates – graduates with a master’s degree or doctorate in natural, applied, or health sciences. Again, the applicant’s job offer will determine whether work experience is required.

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Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Workers – foreign workers in the hospitality, trucking, or food processing industries. Work experience with BC employers is required.

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Healthcare Professionals – physicians, specialists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Relevant work experience is required.

Invitations to apply for immigration through the SI pathway of the BC Provincial Nominee Program are awarded according to a points-based system. Points are awarded according to skillset, experience, and job type. From time to time, individuals with the highest scores are invited to apply.

2. Express Entry BC The Express Entry BC (EEBC) pathway also allows for highly-skilled persons to gain permanent residency in BC. Much like the SI pathway, the British Columbia PNP EEBC is meant for immigrants with the skills needed to fill high demand positions. However, this pathway is associated with the Federal Skilled Worker Program and is, therefore, a faster means to permanent residency. As a result, applicants must also qualify for an IRCC Express Entry program (i.e., Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class).

BC Provincial Nominee Program EEBC applicants must also meet certain work experience, language, and financial requirements, depending on which category they apply under.

There are four Express Entry BC categories. These include • • • •

Skilled Worker International Graduate International Post-Graduate Healthcare Professional

Like the SI stream, an invitation to apply via the British Columbia PNP EEBC pathway is based on a points system. Those candidates with the highest number of points are invited to apply first.

Keep in mind that for both the SI and Express Entry BC Entrepreneur Pathways, candidates must have an active job offer or a current job. This applies to all candidates except international post-graduates.

3. BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration stream allows experienced business people to settle in BC. This pathway is intended to enhance BC’s economy through innovation and economic growth.

For entrepreneurs looking to settle in British Columbia, there are three options under the PNP British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration stream.

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BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Strategic Projects Category– the British Columbia PNP – Strategic Projects Category allows foreign companies to permanently transfer up

to five key employees to BC. These employees must come to establish and manage business operations in the province.

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BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category– the Base Category is specifically for business owners, or members of senior management, who wish to immigrate to BC to invest in a proposed business.

To be eligible for the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category pathway, candidates must meet the following personal and business-related criteria: • • • •

Have personal assets totalling $600,000 CAD or more Have prior business or management experience Invest a minimum of $200,000 CAD into a new or existing business in BC Create one or more new full-time positions

The BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category is a two-step process.

First, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). As part of this application, candidates must provide a Business BC PNP Concept. The Business Concept is extremely important, as candidates are scored based on this document. Those who are deemed eligible are then placed in a qualified pool of candidates. From this pool, the BC government periodically invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply.

If the applicant is invited to the second stage, they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). As part of this invitation, the candidate will be required to submit a detailed BCPNP Base Category Business Plan. This business plan should clearly reflect the concepts and figures highlighted in their Business Concept.

The importance of these documents leads many people to seek professional help with their development. With the assistance of Joorney Canada, applicants can develop a strong business concept and a supporting business plan.

The team at Joorney is experienced with the format, style, and level of detail required for a successful application. Joorney will help you in creating a high-quality proposal that stands out, giving you a better chance of success.

Candidates who are successful with their BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Category application will receive a two-year work permit and be given 20 months to implement their submitted business plan. Subsequently, successful immigrants will receive a BC provincial nomination and be able to apply for permanent residency.

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BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot –the British Columbia PNP Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot is one of the most popular pathways to

permanent residency. This option allows successful candidates to start new businesses in regional communities across BC. The goal is to encourage investment in smaller communities throughout the province.

Examples of participating communities include • • • • • • •

Prince George Nelson Squamish Burns Lake Terrace Penticton Parksville, and many more

Each community establishes business categories that are necessary for its growth and development. The community then looks for applicants who will develop businesses to fill these needs.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered: • • •

Have personal assets of $300,000 CAD or more Have previous experience as a business owner-manager or senior manager Be proficient in English or French

To apply under the BC PNP Manitoba Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot program, candidates must receive a referral from a participating community. To receive this referral, the applicant must provide the community with a BC PNP – Regional Pilot Business Plan. This document is necessary for the community to vet the applicant and ensure their business proposal is feasible and aligns with the community’s goals.

To make an impact and obtain a referral, this business plan must be professionally crafted and demonstrate how the individual will positively contribute to the local community through the establishment of their business.

The immigration business plan writers at Joorney Canada are well-versed in the essential components of a successful British Columbia PNP – Regional Pilot business plan. Our team will guarantee that your plan is compelling and attractive to help you stand out among other applicants.

PNP British Columbia Tech Pilot The BC Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot was originally introduced in 2017 to help BC recruit highly skilled workers in the tech industry. The need for these skills is so great in BC that the government extended this program, making it permanent in June 2021. It is now known as BC PNP Tech.

This option provides an expedited pathway to permanent residency in BC. Applicants may be foreign workers or international students.

To apply, candidates must have an active job offer in one of twenty-nine eligible tech occupations. This job offer must be a contract of at least one year. As well, candidates may not have fewer than 120 days remaining on their job contract when they apply.

To be considered for immigration through the PNP British Columbia Tech program, an employee must register and provide information about the company they will be (or are) working for and its role in the BC tech industry. Based on these applications, weekly invitations to apply are sent to qualified candidates.

Understanding all of the above and focusing your BC Business Plan on these specific elements will put you well on your way to a successful BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration case.