British Columbia Invites Entrepreneurs in Latest Provincial Immigration Draw

British Columbia has conducted another draw under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), focusing on entrepreneur candidates seeking provincial nomination.

In this latest selection round, invitations were issued through two Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) streams, continuing the province’s efforts to attract business owners and investors.

BC PNP Entrepreneur Draw Results

The draw was held on December 16, 2025, and targeted candidates through the following streams:

• Entrepreneur Immigration Base Stream
• Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Stream

As seen throughout the year, the majority of invitations were issued under the Base Stream. In total, up to 21 invitations were issued across both streams.

This round marked British Columbia’s second-largest Entrepreneur Immigration draw of the year and the second-highest Base Stream invitation round in 2025.

About British Columbia’s Entrepreneur Immigration Program

The Entrepreneur Immigration category under the BC PNP is designed for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to either start a new business or purchase and operate an existing business in British Columbia.

Each stream has different eligibility requirements, including minimum net worth, investment thresholds, and business ownership criteria.

• EI Base Stream: Requires a minimum score of 115 and is suitable for entrepreneurs planning to establish or acquire a business anywhere in British Columbia.
  
• EI Regional Stream: Requires a minimum score of 105 and is aimed at entrepreneurs planning to start a business in smaller, participating communities across the province.

Participating Communities Under the Regional Stream

Entrepreneurs under the Regional Stream can establish businesses in designated communities across several development regions, including:

• Cariboo: Mackenzie, Quesnel
• Kootenay: Castlegar, Central Kootenay, Columbia Valley, East Kootenay, Kimberley, Nelson, Rossland, Trail
• Nechako: Bulkley-Nechako
• Northeast: Fort St. John
• Thompson-Okanagan: Penticton, Salmon Arm, Vernon
• Vancouver Island/Coast: Campbell River, Comox, Mount Waddington, Powell River

Under both streams, selected candidates must create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

BC PNP Invitations Issued in 2025

So far in 2025, British Columbia has conducted 19 provincial immigration draws, covering both Skills Immigration and Entrepreneur Immigration categories.

• Skills Immigration: 978 invitations issued across 3 draws

• Entrepreneur Immigration: Up to 132 invitations issued across 16 draws
  • Base Stream: Up to 97 invitations
  • Regional Stream: Up to 35 invitations

BC PNP Nomination Allocation Update

British Columbia began the year with 4,000 nomination spaces, following a 50% reduction in allocations by the federal government compared to 2024.

However, after negotiations, the province secured additional nomination slots in two phases:

• October 2: 1,254 additional nominations
• December 15: 960 additional nominations

With these increases, British Columbia has recovered approximately 77% of its previous allocation and now plans to fully utilize its 6,214 nomination spaces by the end of the year.

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