British Columbia Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Canadian Immigration Lawyer
The Entrepreneur Regional Pilot is a pathway under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) for experienced business owner-managers or senior managers who want to launch or acquire a business in one of BC’s participating regional communities. Unlike the general Entrepreneur Category, applicants must complete an exploratory visit and secure a referral from their chosen community before registering. The pilot carries a lower minimum net worth and investment threshold than the general category, but still requires a competitive score under the BC Entrepreneur Immigration Ranking System. At Batra Law Offices, we help candidates connect with a participating community, confirm their experience, net worth, and business concept meet program standards, and manage the application process from registration through to permanent residence.
What Is the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot?
This stream is designed for entrepreneurs who want to establish or acquire a business in one of BC’s participating regional communities, outside the province’s larger urban centers. Applicants must engage with and visit their chosen community and secure a referral before they can register. Candidates are scored out of 200 points across a self-declared profile (experience, net worth, investment, jobs, community population, regional location, and adaptability) and a business concept assessment (commercial viability, transferability of skills, and economic benefits), and must score at least 105 points to qualify.
Program Eligibility
Requirement | Details |
Express Entry Profile | Not required to be registered under the federal Express Entry program. |
Job Offer | Not required to apply under this stream. |
Level of Education | Have a minimum level of post-secondary education, or have 3 years of experience as an active business owner-manager with full (100%) ownership in the last 5 years. That 100% ownership may be shared with a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children. |
Work Experience | At least 3 years of experience as an active business owner-manager in the last 5 years with 10% or more ownership; or more than 4 years as a senior manager in the last 10 years supervising at least 3 full-time employees in a NOC TEER 0 or 1 role; or a combination of at least 1 year as a business owner-manager and at least 2 years as a senior manager. Must have actively participated in the day-to-day operations of the business. |
Language Proficiency | Demonstrate a minimum of CLB 4 in English or French. |
Business Plan/Proposal | Submit a business proposal to establish a new business, or purchase an existing business, in a participating community. |
Personal Net Worth | Have a minimum personal net worth of $300,000 CAD, including the net worth of a spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children. |
Investment Requirement | Invest a minimum of $100,000 CAD in a new or existing business. Hold at least 51% ownership of the business. Partnership with a BC PNP co-registrant is not allowed; partnership with a local business or person is allowed. Create a minimum of 1 full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The business must be established in a participating community. |
Exploratory Visit | Required. Must engage with and visit an enrolled community, and secure a referral, before registering — unlike the general Entrepreneur Category, where a visit is only recommended. |
Connection to BC | No specific prior connection to the province is required at the time of applying, but the candidate must intend to live, work, and establish the business in the participating community. |
Scoring Requirement | Score a minimum of 105 out of 200 points under the BC Entrepreneur Immigration Ranking System to qualify. |
Business Performance Agreement | Enter into a business performance agreement with the province. |
Business Establishment and Operation | Establish and operate the proposed business according to the business plan. Reside in British Columbia and maintain a principal residence within 100 kilometers of the business location. Spend at least 75% of time physically present in British Columbia while on a temporary work permit. |
How the Application Process Works
- Engage with and visit a participating community, and secure a community referral.
- Register a profile on the BC PNP’s online portal.
- Profiles are scored and ranked using the BC Entrepreneur Immigration Ranking System, and high-ranking candidates are invited to apply.
- Invited candidates submit a complete application within 120 days.
- Pay the registration and application fee, including any staff employee fee if applicable.
- Attend an interview and sign a performance agreement with British Columbia.
- Apply for a two-year work permit from IRCC.
- Submit a final report no later than 12 months after the work permit is issued.
- If the performance agreement conditions are met, receive a provincial nomination.
- Submit an application for Canadian permanent residence within six months of nomination.
BC Entrepreneur Regional Pilot — Scoring Overview
Candidates are scored out of 200 points: up to 140 points from a self-declared profile, and up to 60 points from a business concept assessment.
Scoring Section | Points |
Self-Declared: Experience & Ownership | 24 |
Self-Declared: Net Worth | 6 |
Self-Declared: Total Personal Investment | 10 |
Self-Declared: Jobs | 15 |
Self-Declared: Community Population | 6 |
Self-Declared: BC Development Region | 12 |
Self-Declared: Adaptability | 67 |
Self-Declared Subtotal | 140 |
Business Concept: Commercial Viability | 30 |
Business Concept: Transferability of Skills | 15 |
Business Concept: Economic Benefits | 15 |
Business Concept Subtotal | 60 |
Maximum Score Available | 200 |
Experience & Ownership Points
Business Owner-Manager Experience | Points |
Less than 12 months | 0 |
12 to 24 months | 7 |
25 to 36 months | 12 |
37 to 48 months | 16 |
49 to 59 months | 19 |
60 months or more | 22 |
Senior Manager Work Experience | Points |
Less than 24 months | 0 |
25 to 48 months | 4 |
49 to 59 months | 8 |
60 months or more | 12 |
Maximum Score Available (experience) | 22 |
Business Ownership | Points |
Less than 36 months of 100% ownership in the past 60 months | 0 |
100% ownership of a business for at least 3 of the last 5 years | 2 |
Maximum Score Available (ownership) | 2 |
Personal Net Worth Points
Total Current Assets (cash and liquid funds) | Points |
Less than $10,000 | 0 |
$10,000 to $49,999 | 1 |
$50,000 to $199,999 | 2 |
$200,000 or more | 3 |
Total Personal Net Worth | Points |
Less than $300,000 | 0 |
$300,000 to $999,999 | 2 |
$1,000,000 or more | 3 |
Maximum Score Available | 6 |
Total Personal Investment Points
Total Personal Investment | Points |
Less than $100,000 | 0 |
$100,000 to $349,999 | 6 |
$350,000 to $599,999 | 8 |
$600,000 or more | 10 |
Maximum Score Available | 10 |
Job Creation Points
Total Proposed Full-Time Jobs | Points |
Less than 1 job | 0 |
1 job | 10 |
2 to 4 jobs | 11 |
5 to 7 jobs | 13 |
8 jobs or more | 15 |
Maximum Score Available | 15 |
Community Population Points
Community Population | Points |
40,000 to 75,000 | 1 |
20,000 to 39,999 | 2 |
15,000 to 19,999 | 3 |
10,000 to 14,999 | 4 |
5,000 to 9,999 | 5 |
Less than 5,000 | 6 |
Maximum Score Available | 6 |
BC Development Region Points
Location Based on BC Development Region | Points |
Lower Mainland/Southwest (Fraser Valley, Greater Vancouver, Squamish-Lillooet, Sunshine Coast) | 1 |
Vancouver Island and Coast (Alberni-Clayoquot, Capital, Central Coast, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Mount Waddington, Nanaimo, Powell River, Strathcona) | 2 |
Thompson-Okanagan (Central Okanagan, Columbia-Shuswap, North Okanagan, Okanagan-Similkameen, Thompson-Nicola) | 6 |
Cariboo (Cariboo, Fraser-Fort George) | 10 |
Kootenay (Central Kootenay, East Kootenay, Kootenay Boundary) | 10 |
Nechako (Bulkley-Nechako) | 12 |
North Coast (Kitimat-Stikine, Skeena-Queen Charlotte) | 12 |
Northeast (Northern Rockies, Peace River) | 12 |
Maximum Score Available | 12 |
Adaptability Points
Language Proficiency | Points |
None or minimal (similar to CLB 3 and below) | 0 |
Basic understanding (similar to CLB 4) | 5 |
Intermediate/advanced (similar to CLB 5) | 10 |
Intermediate/advanced (similar to CLB 6) | 15 |
Advanced to fluent (equivalent to CLB 7 or higher) | 23 |
Education Level | Points |
Secondary school or less | 0 |
Associate degree / diploma / certificate (non-trades) | 6 |
Diploma / certificate (trades), Bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate diploma/certificate | 14 |
Master’s degree / doctorate / PhD | 16 |
Age | Points |
Less than 25 | 2 |
25 to 29 | 8 |
30 to 34 | [confirm — see developer note below] |
35 to 44 | 16 |
45 to 54 | 10 |
55 to 64 | 4 |
65 or older | 0 |
Canadian Work/Business Experience or Studies (last 10 years) | Points |
Less than 12 months | 0 |
12 to 24 months, with authorization | 4 |
More than 24 months, with authorization | 8 |
Family Member Living in the Community (12+ months) | Points |
No | 0 |
Yes | 4 |
Maximum Score Available (Adaptability) | 67 |
Business Concept Factors — Commercial Viability (30 points)
Business Model (12 points) | Points |
Unsatisfactory/unclear | 1 |
Fair/good | 8 |
Excellent | 12 |
Market & Products/Services (4 points) | Points |
Does not satisfactorily address any market/product factors | 1 |
Addresses at least one market/product factor, consistent with the business model | 4 |
Eligible Personal Investment (4 points) | Points |
Less than $100,000 | 0 |
$100,000 to $299,999 | 1 |
$300,000 to $499,999 | 2 |
$500,000 to $799,999 | 3 |
$800,000 or more | 4 |
Assessment of Proposed Personal Investment (8 points) | Points |
Investment proposal does not correspond to the type or scale of the business | 0 |
Investment proposal corresponds to the type and scale of the business | 5 |
Investment proposal corresponds to the type and scale of the business, the market, the proposed products/services, the business model, and industry standard | 8 |
Ownership Percentage (2 points) | Points |
Less than 51% | 0 |
Between 51% and 99.99% | 1 |
100% ownership | 2 |
Maximum Score Available (Commercial Viability) | 30 |
Business Concept Factors — Transferability of Skills (15 points)
Business Owner-Manager Experience Only | Points |
Less than 12 months | 0 |
12 to 35 months of related experience | 2 |
12 to 35 months of direct experience | 4 [see developer note] |
36 to 59 months of related experience | 6 |
36 to 59 months of direct experience | 10 |
60 months or more of related experience | 12 |
60 months or more of direct experience | 15 |
Senior Manager Work Experience Only | Points |
Less than 12 months | 0 |
12 to 35 months of related experience | 1 |
12 to 35 months of direct experience | 4 |
36 to 59 months of related experience | 5 |
36 to 59 months of direct experience | 6 |
60 months or more of related experience | 8 |
60 months or more of direct experience | 10 |
Maximum Score Available (Transferability of Skills) | 15 |
Business Concept Factors — Economic Benefits (15 points)
Significant Economic Benefits (5 points) | Points |
Does not identify or substantiate any significant economic benefits | 0 |
Substantiates at least one significant economic benefit | 5 |
Jobs Assessment (10 points) | Points |
Business concept does not support creation of at least 1 full-time position | 0 |
Jobs plan does not correspond to the type and scale of the business | 1 |
Jobs plan corresponds to the type and scale of the business | 10 |
Maximum Score Available (Economic Benefits) | 15 |
Participating Communities
These are organized by BC Development Region. Some participating communities may currently be temporarily paused — confirm current status on the WelcomeBC website before advising clients.
Lower Mainland/Southwest
- Lillooet
Cariboo
- 100 Mile House
- Mackenzie
- Prince George
- Quesnel
- Williams Lake
Kootenay
- Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)
- Columbia Valley & East Kootenay
- Cranbrook
- Kimberley
- Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)
- Rossland
- Trail
- West Boundary (Area E)
Nechako
- Bulkley-Nechako
North Coast
- Terrace
- Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (Areas B, C, E)
Northeast
- Fort St. John
- Tumbler Ridge
Thompson-Okanagan
- Chase
- Clinton
- Penticton
- Salmon Arm
- Vernon
Vancouver Island/Coast
- Campbell River
- Comox
- Mount Waddington
- Port Alberni
- Powell River
Recent Draws / Invitations to Apply
For current minimum score cut-offs and invitation history, see the BC PNP’s Invitations to Apply page (welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/Invitations-To-Apply).
Why Work With Batra Law Offices
Batra Law Offices is led by Manpreet Singh Batra, an immigration lawyer based in Brampton, Ontario, with experience across Express Entry, provincial nominee programs, business immigration, appeals, and judicial review. Our team helps entrepreneurs identify a suitable participating community, confirm their experience, net worth, and business concept meet BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Pilot requirements, prepare a strong application, and manage the nomination process from start to finish.
Related Immigration Programs
Not sure the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot fits your situation? Explore related pathways:
- Entrepreneur Category — for entrepreneurs establishing or acquiring a business anywhere in British Columbia, with no community referral required.
- Strategic Projects Category — for larger-scale business investments with significant economic impact.
- Skilled Worker Category — for candidates with a BC job offer rather than a business investment.
Developer note: hyperlink each bullet to its existing page — reuse the URLs already in the site’s nav menu, but see Section 6 first, since the Skilled Worker Category menu link currently points to the wrong province’s page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot?
It’s a pathway under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) for experienced business owner-managers or senior managers who want to launch or acquire a business in one of BC’s participating regional communities, with a required community referral.
Do I need a job offer to apply?
No, a job offer is not required under this stream.
How much do I need to invest?
A minimum of $100,000 CAD in a new or existing business, with at least 51% ownership.
What net worth do I need?
A minimum personal net worth of $300,000 CAD, which can include a spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children.
What is the exploratory visit and why is it required?
Before registering, applicants must visit a participating community and secure a referral. This is mandatory under the Regional Pilot, unlike the general Entrepreneur Category, where a visit is only recommended.
How is my application scored?
You’re scored out of 200 points across a self-declared profile (experience, net worth, investment, jobs, community population, region, and adaptability) and a business concept assessment (commercial viability, transferability of skills, and economic benefits). A minimum of 105 points is required to qualify.
What happens after I’m nominated?
You apply for a two-year work permit, establish and operate the business according to your plan, and submit a final report within 12 months. If the performance agreement conditions are met, you receive a provincial nomination and can apply for permanent residence within six months.