British Columbia Invites Entrepreneurs in Latest Provincial Immigration Draw

British Columbia has invited entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through its latest immigration draw, offering another pathway to Canadian permanent residence for eligible business owners and investors.

On July 28, 2026, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) conducted an Entrepreneur Immigration draw, inviting individuals interested in starting a new business or purchasing and expanding an existing business in the province.

A total of 10 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued through the Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream. Candidates selected in this draw required a minimum score of 117 points.

Those who receive an invitation can submit an application for provincial nomination. If approved and nominated by British Columbia, they can then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Draw – July 28

The July 28 selection was the province’s eighth Entrepreneur Immigration draw of 2026.

The latest draw details are:

• Date: July 28, 2026
• Program: British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
• Category: Entrepreneur Immigration
• Stream: Base Stream
• Invitations issued: 10
• Minimum score: 117

The latest selection was one of only three entrepreneur-focused draws conducted this year that invited candidates exclusively through the Base Stream.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Draws in 2026

British Columbia has conducted multiple Entrepreneur Immigration selections throughout 2026, with invitations issued through both the Base and Regional streams.

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

So far in 2026, British Columbia has conducted 13 entrepreneur-focused selections, including eight Base Stream draws and five Regional Stream draws.

The minimum score for Base Stream selections during the year has ranged between 115 and 121 points.

88 Entrepreneur Invitations Issued So Far in 2026

Through its Entrepreneur Immigration category, British Columbia has issued at least 88 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in 2026.

When invitations issued through the BCPNP’s Skills Immigration category are also included, the province has issued at least 3,824 invitations for provincial nomination so far this year.

The July 28 Entrepreneur Immigration draw followed a targeted Skills Immigration selection in which British Columbia issued its first invitations under the new Temporary Rural / Remote Health Support Initiative. The initiative targeted health authority cleaners and security personnel.

What Is the BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program?

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) provides entrepreneur immigration options for experienced business people who want to establish and actively operate a business in the province.

British Columbia currently offers two Entrepreneur Immigration streams:

1. Entrepreneur Immigration – Base Stream
2. Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream

Both streams are designed for entrepreneurs who have the experience, financial resources, and business background required to establish or operate a qualifying business in British Columbia.

Base Stream vs Regional Stream

The requirements differ depending on which Entrepreneur Immigration stream a candidate chooses.

Requirement	Base Stream	Regional Stream
Business	Start a new business or purchase and grow an existing business	Start a new business outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District
Business experience	3 years as a business owner-manager in the past 10 years	3 years as a business owner-manager in the past 5 years
Education*	Post-secondary credential	Post-secondary credential
Language	Minimum CLB 4	Minimum CLB 4
Minimum personal net worth	$600,000	$300,000
Minimum investment	$200,000	$100,000
Minimum ownership	31.33%	51%
Community referral	Not required	Required
Exploratory visit	Not required	Required
Minimum registration score	115/200	105/200
Co-applicant registration	Permitted	Not permitted

Candidates who do not have a post-secondary credential must demonstrate 100% ownership and active management of a business for at least three years during the previous five years.

How the British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Process Works

The overall permanent residence pathway is similar under both streams. However, applicants under the Regional Stream have additional requirements involving a participating community.

Generally, the process involves the following steps:

1. Select a suitable business

Entrepreneurs must identify a business opportunity that meets the requirements of their chosen BCPNP stream. Regional Stream applicants must select a participating community outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District.

2. Complete an exploratory visit, if required

Regional Stream applicants must conduct an exploratory visit to the selected community and obtain a referral from that community.

3. Prepare a business proposal

Candidates need to develop a detailed business proposal explaining their proposed investment, business activities, ownership, management role and economic contribution to British Columbia.

4. Register with the BCPNP

Eligible candidates register with the BCPNP and receive a score based on factors such as their human capital and the economic potential of their proposed business.

5. Receive an invitation to apply

Candidates with competitive scores may receive an invitation to apply during a future Entrepreneur Immigration draw.

6. Submit the provincial nomination application

After receiving an invitation, candidates must submit their complete application for provincial nomination within four months.

7. Apply for a work permit

If the application is approved, the entrepreneur can apply to the federal government for a work permit and travel to British Columbia to establish and operate the proposed business.

8. Establish and operate the business

The entrepreneur must establish and actively manage the business in British Columbia while meeting the conditions of the program.

9. Receive provincial nomination

Once the entrepreneur satisfies the required conditions, British Columbia can nominate the candidate for permanent residence.

10. Apply for Canadian permanent residence

After receiving a provincial nomination, the candidate can submit an application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What This Means for Entrepreneurs

The latest British Columbia draw highlights the opportunities available to experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish a business and build a future in Canada.

With 10 invitations issued on July 28 and a minimum score of 117, entrepreneurs with strong business experience, sufficient net worth and a suitable business plan may consider the BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration streams as part of their Canadian immigration strategy.

Applicants should carefully review the stream-specific requirements before registering, as factors such as business experience, net worth, investment amount, ownership percentage, language ability and proposed business location can affect eligibility and selection.

Thinking about starting or expanding a business in Canada? Contact Oasis Visas to understand your available immigration options and determine which Canadian business immigration pathway may be suitable for your profile.

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