Home > Permanent Residence > Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) > British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) > BCPNP - Entrepreneur Immigration Regional (EIR) Stream
The guide below takes a deep look into one of the streams of British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP), the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional (EIR) stream. The guide will go through an overview of the stream, its eligibility requirements, how it works, the participating communities, the documentation needed, its cost and processing times.
Overview of the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional (EIR) stream
The Entrepreneur Immigration Regional (EIR) stream is one of two PNP streams in British Columbia that are dedicated to international entrepreneurs residing outside Canada who wish to invest their money in British Columbia.
When receiving a nomination under the EIR stream, candidates can then apply for Permanent Residence to the federal government of Canada. |
This stream is not aligned with Express Entry, which means that candidates cannot take advantage of the 6-month average processing times of Express Entry. Processing times of Provincial Nominee Programs (not aligned with Express Entry) are usually longer and take at least 1 year.
The EIR stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, British Columbia does not send invitations to apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. Each candidate, when entering the system, has a score (up to 200 points) that depends on multiple factors (explained in detail in the Eligibility Requirements section). In fact, the BCPNP conducts periodic EIR draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all candidates with scores above or equal to that draw's threshold are invited to apply. More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
The EIR stream has minimum eligibility requirements, however, British Columbia does not send invitations to apply to every candidate that meets these minimum criteria. Each candidate, when entering the system, has a score (up to 200 points) that depends on multiple factors (explained in detail in the Eligibility Requirements section). In fact, the BCPNP conducts periodic EIR draws, and each draw has its minimum threshold score, and all candidates with scores above or equal to that draw's threshold are invited to apply. More information is available in the Draw History section of this guide.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible and ineligible businesses
To be eligible to the Immigration Entrepreneur Regional (EIR) stream, the BCPNP will only consider registrations to establish a new business in a participating community that aligns with one of the economic development priorities identified by the community. The proposed business must be operated for the primary purpose of earning profits by providing products and/or services. Additionally, the business must have strong potential for sustained commercial success.
The BCPNP will not consider a business proposal for a seasonal business unless you can demonstrate that you will be present in British Columbia and will perform an active management role on a year-round basis..
Franchises may be considered as eligible businesses if you can demonstrate that the proposed franchise is well-established. If you are invited to apply, your application must include evidence that you have received support from the franchisor to set up a new franchise location.
If you are proposing to establish a new farm/agricultural business, your business plan should be based on or cover the issues described in the document "Taking Stock: A Farm Business Planning Workbook For The Beginning Farmer". The business plan must demonstrate that you have thoroughly researched the feasibility of your farming operation and have established contact with relevant local stakeholders who can provide support to your enterprise.
Some types of businesses are not eligible for the EIR stream:
- An immigration-linked investment scheme pursuant to Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation section 6(e) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) section 87(5)(b) and as defined in IRPR 87(9).
- Any business where the terms of investment include a redemption option pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(d).
- Any business that may be a passive investment pursuant to IRPR 87(6)(c).
- Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses.
- Payday loan, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machine businesses.
- Pawnbrokers.
- Tanning salons.
- DVD rental stores.
- Coin-operated laundries.
- Automated car wash operations.
- Scrap metal recycling.
- Businesses selling used goods (excluding businesses that provide value-added services such as repairs, refurbishing or recycling).
- Real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage or business brokerage.
- Businesses involved in producing, distributing or selling pornography or sexually explicit products or services, or providing sexually oriented services.
- Any other type of business that by association would tend to bring the BCPNP or the Government of British Columbia into disrepute.
Co-Registrant and Key Personnel
You may associate with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident businessman, but under the EIR stream, you are not allowed to associate with a foreign businessman (Co-registrant).
You will not be able to bring with you Key Personnel to help you with the creation of the company.
Participating communities and priority sectors
Under this EIR stream, you are eligible only if your investment is done in one of the participating communities (listed below) and that aligns with one of the economic development priorities (listed below) of the community. You must make an exploratory visit in the selected community, meet with a designated community contact person, and obtain a referral from them before registering online to enter the pool of applicants. The referral is valid for 90 days.
List of Participating Communities & Key Sectors
With the search bar in this link, you can use the NAICS codes below to find out the corresponding priority sectors and their descriptions.
Last update : May 27, 2023
Last update : May 27, 2023
Development region | Community | Status | Population | Priority sectors (NAICS codes) |
Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cariboo | 100 Mile House | Open | 1,980 | 311 - Food manufacturing 312140 - Distilleries 321999 - All other miscellaneous wood product manufacturing 339 - Miscellaneous manufacturing 5413 - Architectural, engineering and related services |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Cariboo | Mackenzie | Open | 3,880 | 722 – Food services and drinking places 1151 – Support activities for crop production 1153 - Support activities for forestry 2131 - Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction 3121 – Beverage manufacturing 4931- Warehousing and storage 5322 – Consumer goods rental 5411 – Legal services 6116 – Other schools and instruction 7139 – Other amusement and recreation industries 7211 - Traveller accommodation 7212 – Recreational vehicle (RV) parks and recreational camps |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Cariboo | Quesnel | Open | 10,356 | 115 - Support activities for agriculture and forestry 238 - Specialty trade contractors 311 – Food manufacturing 321 - Wood product manufacturing 339 - Miscellaneous manufacturing 541 - Professional, scientific and technical services 611 - Educational services 621 - Ambulatory health care services |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Cariboo | Williams Lake | Paused | 11,559 | 561- Administrative and support services 611- Educational services 722 - Food services and drinking places |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Kootenay | Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J) | Open | 14,713 | 321 - Wood product manufacturing 444 - Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers 451 - Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music retailers 453 - Miscellaneous manufacturing 455 - General merchandise retailers 541 - Professional, scientific and technical services 713 - Amusement, gambling and recreation industries 722 - Food services and drinking places 44921 – Electronics and appliances retailers 45811 – Clothing and clothing accessories retailers |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Kootenay | Columbia Valley & East Kootenay | Open | 9,482 | 1112 Vegetable and melon farming 3116 Meat product manufacturing 5416 Management, scientific and technical consulting services 7211 Traveller accommodation |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Kootenay | Kimberley | Open | 7425 | 3399 - Other miscellaneous manufacturing 6116 - Other schools and instruction 6117 - Educational support services 7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Kootenay | Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F) | Open | 11,557 | 3399 - Other miscellaneous manufacturing 6116 - Other schools and instruction 6117 - Educational support services 7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Kootenay | Rossland | Open | 4,096 | 2361 - Residential building construction 2362 - Non-residential building construction 3219 - Other wood product manufacturing 3329 - Other fabricated metal product manufacturing 5182 - Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services 5191 - Other information services 7211 - Traveller accommodation 7223 - Special food services 7224 - Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) 7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Kootenay | Trail | Open | 8,250 | 2361 - Residential building construction 2362 - Non-residential building construction 3313 - Alumina and aluminum production and processing 3314 - Non-ferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing 3315 - Foundries 4181 - Recyclable material merchant wholesalers 5182 - Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services 5191 - Other information services |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
North Coast | Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (Areas B, C, E) | Open | 37,367 | 111 - Crop production 7212 - Recreational vehicle (RV) parks and recreational camps 6244 - Child day-care services 6115 - Technical and trade schools |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Northeast | Fort St. John | Open | 22,283 | 722 - Food services and drinking places 4593 - Florists 4594 - Office supplies, stationery and gift retailers 458210 – Shoe retailers 459210 - Book retailers and news dealers |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Thompson-Okanagan | Chase | Open | 2,300 |
455 – General merchandise retailers 7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places 45811 - Clothing and clothing accessories retailers 721113 - Resorts |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Thompson-Okanagan | Clinton | Paused | 654 | 4591 - Sporting goods, hobby and musical instrument retailers 44611 - Pharmacies and drug stores 7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Thompson-Okanagan | Penticton | Open | 45,792 | 311 - Food manufacturing 512 - Motion picture and sound recording industries 5411 – Legal Services 5412- Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services 5413 - Architectural, engineering and related services 5414 - Specialized design services 5416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services 5417 - Scientific research and development services 5418 – Advertising, public relations and related services 5419 – Other professional, scientific and technical services |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Thompson-Okanagan | Salmon Arm | Open | 19,296 | 311 - Food manufacturing 333 - Machinery manufacturing 5415 - Computer systems design and related services 5416 - Management, scientific and technical consulting services 71399 - Other amusement and recreation industries |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Thompson-Okanagan | Vernon | Open | 44,171 | 2361 –Residential building construction 2362 – Non-residential building construction 3112 - Grain and oilseed milling 3114 - Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing 3118 - Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing 4591 - Sporting goods, hobby and musical instrument retailers 7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places 45811 - Clothing and clothing accessories retailers 449110 – Furniture retailers |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Vancouver Island/Coast | Campbell River | Open | 36,167 | 3119 - Other food manufacturing 3212 - Veneer, plywood and engineered wood product manufacturing 5417 - Scientific research and development services 7225 - Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Vancouver Island/Coast | Comox | Open | 13,812 | 3113 - Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing 3114 - Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing 3364 - Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 5414 - Specialized design services 5415 - Computer systems design and related services 5417 - Scientific research and development services 7211 - Traveller accommodation |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Vancouver Island/Coast | Mount Waddington | Open | 11,035 | 238 - Specialty trade contractors 487 - Scenic and sightseeing transportation 512 - Motion picture and sound recording industries 711 - Performing arts, spectator sports and related industries 2361 - Residential building construction 7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Vancouver Island/Coast | Powell River | Open | 13,865 | 311 - Food manufacturing 541 - Professional, scientific and technical services 721113 - Resorts |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |
Nechako | Bulkley-Nechako | Open | 39,713 | 111 - Crop production (Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G) 112 - Animal production and aquaculture (Areas A, B, C, D, E, G) 1131 - Timber tract operations (Areas C, D, G) 1132 - Forest nurseries and gathering of forest products (Areas C, D, G) 1133 - Logging (Areas C, D, G) 1151 - Support activities for crop production (Areas A, E) 1152 - Support activities for animal production (Areas A,E) 1153 - Support activities for forestry (Areas A, E) 3211 - Sawmills and wood preservation (Areas B, C, D, E, F, G) 3212 - Veneer, plywood and engineered wood product manufacturing (Areas B, C, D, E, F, G) 3219 - Other wood product manufacturing (Areas B, C, D, E, F, G) 3391 - Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing (Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G) 3399 - Other miscellaneous manufacturing (Areas A, B, C, D, E, F, G) 7139 - Other amusement and recreation industries (Area B) 7211 - Traveller accommodation (Area A) 7212 - Recreational vehicle (RV) parks and recreational camps (Area A) 7213 - Rooming and boarding houses (Area A) |
E-mail Contact | Community Website | Trade and Invest Website |