British Columbia has invited entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP).
The latest Entrepreneur Immigration selection was held on September 22, 2026, with invitations issued through both the Base Stream and Regional Stream. Candidates in both streams needed a minimum score of 119 to receive an invitation.
The selection provides an immigration pathway for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish and operate a business in British Columbia and eventually pursue Canadian permanent residence.
British Columbia Entrepreneur Draw: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Draw date | September 22, 2026 |
| Program | BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration |
| Base Stream invitations | 10 |
| Regional Stream invitations | Fewer than 5 |
| Minimum score | 119 |
| Streams targeted | Base and Regional |
| Application deadline after ITA | Up to 4 months |
| Pathway | Business establishment → nomination → permanent residence |
The official B.C. invitation table confirms 10 Base Stream invitations and fewer than five Regional Stream invitations, with a minimum score of 119 for both streams.
Highest Entrepreneur Stream Cutoff in Several Months
The latest draw’s 119-point cutoff represented an increase compared with several earlier entrepreneur selections in 2026.
For the Base Stream, the previous cutoff was 116 on August 25. The Regional Stream also had a cutoff of 116 in that draw.
Recent B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration Draws
| Draw Date | Stream | Minimum Score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2026 | Base | 119 | 10 |
| September 22, 2026 | Regional | 119 | <5 |
| August 25, 2026 | Base | 116 | 11 |
| August 25, 2026 | Regional | 116 | 5 |
| July 28, 2026 | Base | 117 | 10 |
| June 30, 2026 | Base | 118 | 14 |
| June 30, 2026 | Regional | 113 | <5 |
| June 2, 2026 | Base | 117 | 15 |
| June 2, 2026 | Regional | 117 | <5 |
| May 5, 2026 | Base | 115 | 8 |
The September selection was the 10th entrepreneur-focused selection round of 2026. Across those rounds, B.C. conducted 17 individual draws, with 10 targeting the Base Stream and seven targeting the Regional Stream.
B.C. Has Issued More Than 100 Entrepreneur Invitations in 2026
As of September 22, the BCPNP had issued at least 114 invitations to entrepreneurs through its Entrepreneur Immigration category during 2026.
When Skills Immigration invitations are also included, the province had issued at least 5,414 BCPNP invitations across its immigration categories during the year.
The exact number of entrepreneur invitations is partly reported using “<5” for some Regional Stream draws, so the provincial total is expressed as a minimum rather than an exact figure.
What Is the B.C. Entrepreneur Immigration Program?
The BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration pathway is designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish and actively manage a business in British Columbia.
The program has two main streams:
- Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream
- Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream
Both provide a potential pathway to permanent residence, but their requirements are different.
B.C. Entrepreneur Base Stream
The Base Stream is intended for experienced business owners and managers who want to establish a new business in B.C. or purchase and expand an existing business.
Main requirements
Applicants generally need:
- At least 3 years of business owner-manager experience during the previous 10 years;
- A minimum personal net worth of $600,000 CAD;
- At least $200,000 CAD in eligible investment;
- At least 33.33% ownership of the proposed business;
- Minimum CLB 4 language proficiency; and
- A qualifying post-secondary credential.
There is an education exception for applicants who have at least three years of active business ownership and management experience during the previous five years and held full ownership of the business during that period.
The Base Stream can accommodate entrepreneurs who want to:
- Start a new business; or
- Purchase and improve an existing business.
B.C. Entrepreneur Regional Stream
The Regional Stream is designed to encourage entrepreneurs to establish businesses outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
The program has lower financial thresholds than the Base Stream but includes additional requirements involving participating communities.
Main requirements
Applicants generally need:
- At least 3 years of business owner-manager experience during the previous five years;
- Personal net worth of at least $300,000 CAD;
- Minimum eligible investment of $100,000 CAD;
- At least 51% ownership of the proposed business;
- Minimum CLB 4 language proficiency; and
- A qualifying post-secondary credential.
Applicants also need a community referral and must complete an exploratory visit before submitting their registration.
Unlike the Base Stream, the Regional Stream is specifically intended for entrepreneurs establishing a new business outside Metro Vancouver.
Base Stream vs. Regional Stream
The two entrepreneur pathways have important differences.
| Requirement | Base Stream | Regional Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Business | New business or purchase and grow existing business | New business outside Metro Vancouver |
| Business experience | 3 years in last 10 | 3 years in last 5 |
| Minimum net worth | $600,000 | $300,000 |
| Minimum investment | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| Minimum ownership | 33.33% | 51% |
| Language | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
| Community referral | Not required | Required |
| Exploratory visit | Not required | Required |
| Minimum registration score | 115/200 | 105/200 |
| Co-applicant | Permitted | Not permitted |
These are program requirements rather than guarantees of receiving an invitation. Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically result in selection.
How the Entrepreneur Immigration Process Works
The B.C. entrepreneur pathway involves several stages before an applicant can become a permanent resident.
Step 1: Develop a Business Proposal
The entrepreneur first develops a proposal describing the business they intend to establish or, where permitted, acquire and grow.
The proposal should explain the business model, investment, operations and expected economic contribution.
Step 2: Register With the BCPNP
Applicants submit an online registration through the BCPNP system.
The registration is scored based on factors including:
- Business experience;
- Education;
- Language ability;
- Personal net worth;
- Investment;
- Business concept; and
- Expected economic benefits.
The business concept is separately assessed by BCPNP staff.
Step 3: Enter the Qualified Pool
Eligible registrations are placed into the pool.
A registration can remain active for up to six months, or until an invitation is issued.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply
B.C. periodically selects candidates from the qualified pool.
An invitation allows the entrepreneur to submit a complete provincial nomination application.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Invited candidates must submit their application within the applicable deadline, generally four months from the invitation date for the Entrepreneur Immigration process.
Step 6: Apply for a Work Permit
If the application is approved, the entrepreneur receives a work permit support letter that can be used to apply for a federal work permit.
The entrepreneur can then move to B.C. and establish or operate the proposed business.
Step 7: Meet the Performance Agreement
The entrepreneur must meet the conditions established in their Performance Agreement.
B.C. evaluates whether the entrepreneur has fulfilled the agreed business requirements.
Step 8: Receive Provincial Nomination
If the entrepreneur satisfies the requirements, B.C. can issue a provincial nomination.
The applicant can then proceed with the federal permanent residence application.
Additional Steps for Regional Stream Applicants
Regional Stream candidates have extra requirements before they can submit their registration.
They must:
- Choose a participating B.C. community;
- Identify a business opportunity that fits the community’s economic priorities;
- Complete an exploratory visit;
- Obtain a community referral;
- Prepare the business proposal; and
- Submit the registration.
The community referral is an important distinction between the Regional and Base streams.
What Businesses Are Not Eligible?
Not every type of business can qualify for B.C.’s Entrepreneur Immigration program.
The province identifies a number of ineligible business types, including:
- Passive investment businesses;
- Immigration-linked investment schemes;
- Bed and breakfasts;
- Hobby farms;
- Home-based businesses;
- Payday loan businesses;
- Cheque-cashing businesses;
- Pawnbrokers;
- Tanning salons;
- Automated car washes;
- Scrap-metal recycling businesses;
- Certain used-goods businesses;
- Real estate development and brokerage;
- Insurance brokerage;
- Business brokerage; and
- Certain goods-trading businesses without demonstrated value-added activity.
Entrepreneurs should therefore verify whether their proposed business is eligible before investing significant time or money into an application.
How the Entrepreneur Registration Score Works
The B.C. entrepreneur registration system evaluates both human-capital and economic factors.
Human-capital factors can include:
- Business ownership and management experience;
- Education;
- Language proficiency; and
- Other relevant background factors.
Economic factors can include:
- Personal net worth;
- Investment amount;
- Proposed business;
- Commercial viability; and
- Economic benefits to British Columbia.
The business concept is separately scored by BCPNP staff.
This means an entrepreneur’s registration score depends on more than simply having the minimum required investment.
Invitation Does Not Mean Permanent Residence
Entrepreneurs should understand that receiving an invitation is only one stage of the process.
The overall pathway can be summarized as:
Registration → Invitation → Provincial application → Work permit → Business establishment → Performance agreement → Provincial nomination → Federal PR application
An invitation does not guarantee provincial nomination, and a provincial nomination does not itself guarantee permanent residence.
The federal government remains responsible for assessing the permanent residence application.
Work Permit Support After Approval
Entrepreneurs whose B.C. applications are approved can receive a work permit support letter.
This letter can be used when applying to the federal government for a work permit.
The entrepreneur and eligible dependants can then move to B.C. and establish the proposed business.
For Regional Stream applicants, the province provides specific timelines for submitting the work permit application and arriving in British Columbia.
Potential Bridging Open Work Permit After Nomination
A recent federal temporary measure may also be relevant to successful B.C. entrepreneur nominees.
Since June 9, 2026, eligible nominees applying for permanent residence through a base provincial nominee pathway can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) without first waiting for an Acknowledgement of Receipt from IRCC.
However, the applicant must still satisfy the federal BOWP eligibility requirements.
What the September 22 Draw Means for Entrepreneurs
The latest B.C. entrepreneur selection highlights several points for prospective business immigrants.
First, both entrepreneur streams were active in the latest selection.
Second, the 119 cutoff was higher than the previous month’s 116 threshold for both streams.
Third, the Base Stream continues to account for most entrepreneur invitations, while the Regional Stream generally issues fewer invitations per draw.
Finally, the selection confirms that B.C. continues to use entrepreneur immigration as one component of its broader economic immigration strategy.
Who May Consider B.C.’s Entrepreneur Pathways?
The program may be relevant to entrepreneurs who:
- Have substantial business ownership or management experience;
- Have sufficient personal net worth;
- Can make the required business investment;
- Want to actively operate a business in B.C.;
- Meet the language requirements;
- Have a viable business proposal; and
- Can demonstrate potential economic benefits to the province.
Entrepreneurs considering the Regional Stream additionally need to be prepared to establish their business outside Metro Vancouver and complete the community referral process.
Key Takeaways
- British Columbia invited entrepreneurs on September 22, 2026.
- 10 Base Stream candidates received invitations.
- Fewer than 5 Regional Stream candidates were invited.
- The minimum score for both streams was 119.
- This was the 10th entrepreneur-focused selection round of 2026.
- B.C. had issued at least 114 entrepreneur invitations during 2026 by September 22.
- The Base Stream requires a minimum personal net worth of $600,000 and investment of $200,000.
- The Regional Stream requires a minimum net worth of $300,000 and investment of $100,000.
- Regional applicants need a community referral and exploratory visit.
- Base Stream applicants can establish a new business or purchase and grow an existing business.
- Regional Stream applicants must establish a new business outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
- Registration does not guarantee an invitation.
- An invitation does not guarantee provincial nomination.
- Provincial nomination is followed by a separate federal permanent residence application.
Conclusion
British Columbia’s September 22 entrepreneur selection provides another opportunity for experienced business owners and managers who want to establish a business in the province.
With a 119-point minimum score for both the Base and Regional streams, the latest draw continued the province’s targeted approach to entrepreneur immigration. The two streams offer different investment, net-worth, ownership and location requirements, allowing eligible entrepreneurs to pursue the pathway that fits their business plans.
However, entrepreneurs should remember that the process extends well beyond receiving an invitation. Applicants must submit a detailed application, obtain approval, establish and operate the business according to their Performance Agreement, receive a provincial nomination and then complete the federal permanent residence process.
