The Ministry of Municipal Affairs has re-opened the intake to for communities interested in participating in the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot (EI-RP).
The EI Regional Pilot is an initiative under the BC PNP that is aimed at attracting international entrepreneurs looking to establish new businesses in smaller centres. Entrepreneurs who are nominated by the province are able to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence for themselves and their families.
More than fifty (50) communities across B.C. are actively participating in the pilot. Since the official launch in March 2019, more than 160 international entrepreneurs have been referred to the BC PNP. During that time, more than 20 approved candidates have arrived in B.C. with their families to establish new businesses in these communities. The pilot runs to March 2024.
In order to be eligible to participate, communities must have the endorsement of a local government with a population of fewer than 75,000 and be farther than 30 kilometres away from a municipality of more than 75,000.
A virtual information session for communities will be held on May 11, 2022 to provide more details about the pilot. Senior local government officials, regional district officials, economic development officers, individuals or organizations who play a role in community/economic development will benefit from joining this information session.
Attendees will:
- Gain a thorough understanding of the pilot including successes and challenges to date
- Understand the respective roles of the community and the province
- Have enough information to consider enrolment in the pilot for your community
- Learn how communities have benefited from the program
The enrolment deadline for communities wishing to participate is May 31, 2022.
For more information, visit the EI Regional Pilot page on or email the BC PNP to register for the information session.