British Columbia’s July 28, 2026 draw under the Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) invited 10 entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through the Base Stream of the Entrepreneur Immigration category. Candidates needed a minimum score of 117 to receive an invitation.
Recent Entrepreneur Immigration draws (2026)
| Date of draw | Stream | Invitations | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 28 | Base | 10 | 117 |
| June 30 | Base | 14 | 118 |
| June 30 | Regional | 5 | 113 |
| June 2 | Base | 15 | 117 |
| June 2 | Regional | 5 | 117 |
| May 5 | Base | 8 | 115 |
| May 5 | Regional | 5 | 115 |
| April 14 | Base | 14 | 115 |
| March 10 | Base | 7 | 117 |
| March 10 | Regional | 5 | 129 |
| February 10 | Base | 13 | 121 |
| February 10 | Regional | 5 | 105 |
| January 13 | Base | 7 | 115 |
The province has conducted 13 entrepreneur‑focused draws in 2026: eight under the Base Stream and five under the Regional Stream. Cut‑off scores for the Base Stream have ranged from 115 to 121.
Overall, BC has issued at least 88 invitations for provincial nomination through the Entrepreneur Immigration category in 2026, and 3,824 invitations across all BCPNP streams (including Skills Immigration) to date.
Entrepreneur immigration streams
| Criteria | Base Stream | Regional Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Business type | Launch a new business or take over and grow an existing one | Launch a new business outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District |
| Business experience | 3 years as owner‑manager in the last 10 years | 3 years as owner‑manager in the last 5 years |
| Education | Post‑secondary credential | Post‑secondary credential |
| Language | Minimum CLB 4 | Minimum CLB 4 |
| Personal net worth | $600,000 | $300,000 |
| Minimum investment | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| Ownership required | ≥ 31 % | ≥ 51 % |
| Community referral | Not required | Required |
| Exploratory visit | Not required | Required |
| Registration score | 115 / 200 | 105 / 200 |
| Co‑applicant registration | Allowed | Not allowed |
| No post‑secondary credential | Must demonstrate 100 % ownership and active management for ≥ 3 years in the past 5 years | Same requirement |
Application process (common to both streams)
- Identify a suitable business idea and, for the Regional Stream, a participating community.
- (Regional Stream only) Conduct an exploratory visit and obtain a community referral.
- Prepare a detailed business proposal.
- Register with the BCPNP; receive a score based on human‑capital and economic factors.
- Await an invitation to apply in a future draw.
- Submit a complete provincial nomination application within four months of receiving the invitation.
- If the nomination is approved, apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a work permit.
- Establish and actively operate the business in British Columbia.
- After meeting program conditions, receive the provincial nomination, which can be used to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Recent context
The July 28 entrepreneur draw followed a targeted Skills Immigration selection that introduced the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative, which offered the province’s first invitations for health‑authority cleaners and security personnel.
Prospective applicants should ensure they meet the stream‑specific net‑worth, investment, and ownership thresholds, and be prepared for the additional community‑referral steps required under the Regional Stream.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
