Serious Business Owners.

Serious Opportunity.

British Columbia's Entrepreneur Base Stream is for experienced business owners and senior managers ready to establish or acquire a business in BC.

If you have capital, proven management experience, and a solid business plan, this is one of Canada's most established pathways to PR through entrepreneurship.

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What is the BC Entrepreneur Stream?

The OG Provincial entrepreneur program

BC's Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is one of Canada's longest-running and most competitive provincial business immigration programs.

It's points-based, selective, and designed for people who've already proven they can run businesses successfully.

Here's what BC wants:

Experienced entrepreneurs or senior executives who will establish or buy businesses that:

  • Create jobs for Canadians

  • Contribute to BC's economy

  • Actively involve the owner in day-to-day management

  • Operate in eligible business sectors

Eligibility Checklist

    • Minimum $600,000 CAD personal net worth

    • Must be legally obtained and fully verifiable

    • Minimum 3 years as active business owner-manager (owning 33%+ equity), OR

    • Minimum 4 years as senior manager in the past 10 years

    • Must demonstrate strategic decision-making authority

    • Minimum $200,000 investment in your BC business

    • Higher investment if acquiring existing business

    • Must invest within municipalities eligible under Base Stream (excludes Regional Pilot communities)

    • Create at least 1 new full-time job for Canadian citizen or PR holder

    • More jobs = higher competitiveness in selection

    • CLB 4 minimum (approximately IELTS 4.0)

    • Higher scores improve competitiveness

    • Must be physically present in BC and actively managing daily operations

    • Part-time or passive involvement doesn't qualify

Why British Columbia?

Pacific Gateway

Strategic access to Asia-Pacific markets. Vancouver is Canada's gateway to international trade, particularly with Asia.

Business Infrastructure

Sophisticated business services, legal/accounting expertise, banking relationships, and supply chain access for most industries.

Mature Tech Ecosystem

Vancouver and Victoria are established tech hubs with deep talent pools, active VC scene, and proven exit track record.

Quality of Life

Consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities. mild climate, mountains, ocean, outdoor recreation, and multicultural communities.

Business Requirements

Eligible Sectors (Most Common)

  • Professional Services

  • Technology & Software

  • Retail (with restrictions)

  • Food Services & Hospitality

  • Health Services

  • Manufacturing

  • Tourism

Ineligible Businesses

  • Home-based businesses

  • Bed and breakfasts

  • Real estate brokerage or development

  • Insurance brokerage

  • Payday loan businesses

  • Independent consultancies where owner is sole employee

Key Criteria:

  • Business must be viable and generate sufficient income to support owner

  • Must demonstrate market demand and competitive advantage

  • Should contribute to BC's economic priorities

  • Must create meaningful employment for residents

How CI Ventures Supports You

Scoring high requires more than just meeting minimums. You need to prove your business will succeed and contribute to their economy.

Market Research & Validation

Pressure-test your concept for the Canadian market. Customer research, competitive analysis, regulatory requirements.

Business Plan Development

Build a comprehensive plan that meets provincial criteria and shows real viability. Financials, operations, hiring roadmap.

Financial Modeling

3-5 year projections with cash flow, P&L, break-even analysis, and sensitivity scenarios that satisfy application requirements.

Application Support

Documentation, package assembly, performance agreement preparation, and submission support from people who know the process.

Post-Approval Operations

Help setting up on the ground. incorporation, banking, hiring, compliance. we don't disappear after approval.

Performance Monitoring

Track your progress against performance agreements. Course corrections, reporting support, milestone documentation.

FAQs

  • Yes. Many applicants acquire established businesses. You must still meet investment minimums and create at least one new job.

  • No. BC accepts a wide range of business types as long as they're viable, create jobs, and contribute economically.

  • No, you must be physically present in BC and actively involved in daily operations. Remote management doesn't qualify.

  • Work on improving it before submitting, or consider other provinces with lower competition (Alberta FGES, Nova Scotia).

  • Yes. your spouse can apply for an open work permit once you receive your entrepreneur work permit.

  • BC doesn't publish specific rates, but well-prepared applications with strong business plans and clean documentation have high success rates.

Ready to make BC your
business home?

The BC Entrepreneur Stream is competitive but proven. If you have the experience, capital, and commitment, we'll help you build an application that stands out.

BC wants serious entrepreneurs who will contribute for the long term. If that's you, let's build your pathway.

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