British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program

Migrate to British Columbia with the Help of eduaid!

While most migrants aim for the metropolitan areas of Canada, the provincial regions are not far behind in popularity. An increasing number of migrants are choosing to move to the provinces and surrounding regions over cities like Toronto and Montreal. If you count yourself amongst this group, then this is guide is tailor-made for you! You will know all there is to know about immigrating to the Canadian provinces, and few provinces are better than British Columbia.

How can I move to British Columbia?

The best option for you would be to lodge your visa application under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. This program nominates successful applicants, and issues them a British Columbia Provincial Nominee Certificate. Submitting this with your visa application will accelerate the processing, meaning you will get a faster decision on your application for permanent residency in Canada!

Business Immigration Component

Experienced business entrepreneurs looking to invest in and actively manage a business in British Columbia can apply through this component. There are three categories under this component: Business Skills Category, Regional Business Category, and Strategic Projects Category.

Before taking a more detailed look at these three categories, however, you need to know some basic criteria for all three categories.

Eligible Businesses

• The business must primarily aim to earn profits from the income from its products and/or services;
• It must have sustainable commercial viability;
• It must provide an economic benefit to British Columbia.

Also, note that several types of businesses are considered ineligible under this program, including:

• Pay day loan, money changing, cheque cashing and cash machine businesses;
• Pawnbrokers;
• Automated car wash businesses;
• Coin operated laundry businesses;
• Bed and breakfasts;
• Real estate development or brokerage;
• Insurance or business brokerage;
• Businesses involved in the sex industry;
• Any other type of business that might bring the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program or the Province of British Columbia into disrepute.

With us so far? Great! Let’s take a more detailed look at the three main categories of the Business Immigration Component:

Business Skills Category

To be nominated under this category, requirements include:

1. Making a minimum personal investment of $400,000 CAD in order to establish or purchase an eligible business in British Columbia.
2. Having a minimum personal net worth of $800,000 CAD, obtained from legal sources.
3. Having sufficient personal funds to make necessary investments.
4. Providing a viable business proposal.
5. Creating at least three new jobs for Canadians or permanent residents.
6. Demonstrating the ability to carry out the business proposal.
7. Owning a minimum of one-third (33.33%) of the equity of the business.
8. Being actively involved in the daily running of the business.
9. Signing a performance agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

Regional Business Category

Requirements for this category include:

1. Making a minimum investment of $200,000 CAD into an eligible business.
2. Having a minimum net worth of $400,000 CAD, obtained from legal sources.
3. Having sufficient personal funds to make necessary investments.
4. Possessing the necessary skills and experience to establish the business in British Columbia.
5. Creating at least one new job for Canadians or permanent residents.
6. Owning at least one-third (33.33%) equity of the business.
7. Being routinely involved in the daily operations of the business.
8. Signing a performance agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

Strategic Projects Category

This category helps foreign controlled businesses establish themselves in British Columbia. Up to 5 foreign key employees are granted entry to Canada with the intention of becoming permanent residents. Other requirements include:

1. Making an equity investment of at least $500,000 CAD.
2. Creating at least three jobs for Canadians or permanent residents for each foreign key employee arriving in Canada.
3. Having a record of good business practices.
4. Demonstrating a history of similar and successful operations outside Canada.
5. Establishing a new business or purchasing and expanding an existing one in British Columbia.
6. Signing a performance agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

Moreover, there is an additional subcategory – the Business Succession Plan Buy-Out. This category requires applicants to purchase an existing business in British Columbia, and grants their visa applications priority processing under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program!

That was a LOT of information! Anything left?

Just one thing – your best means of immigrating to Canada, and more specifically to British Columbia, is eduaid! We are internationally acclaimed immigration experts comprised of a team of highly dedicated immigration consultants. Give us a call, and get started on your quest of immigrating to British Columbia!