BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration: the Regional stream
For entrepreneurs ready to start a new business in a smaller B.C. community outside Metro Vancouver, with that community's support from the start.
At a glance
- Personal net worth
- $300,000+Including your spouse and dependent children
- Eligible personal investment
- $100,000+In a new business in the referring community
- Ownership
- 51%+Partnering with another BC PNP registrant is not allowed
- New jobs
- 1+ full-timeFor a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Language
- CLB 4Test results submitted with the registration
- Registration score
- 105 / 200No separate minimum for the business concept
The community comes first
The Regional stream is built on partnerships with B.C. communities outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District. Each participating community publishes its economic development priorities, and your business must fit them.
- Choose a community. Review the participating communities and their priorities.
- Contact it and visit. An exploratory visit is mandatory. Meet the community's representatives and test your idea locally.
- Request a referral. After the visit, the community may issue a referral form describing your proposed business. It is valid for 90 days, so be ready to register promptly.
Personal and business requirements
Within the last 5 years you need more than 3 years as an active business owner-manager, more than 4 years as a senior manager, or at least 1 year of ownership combined with 2 years of senior management. The education requirement matches the Base stream: a post-secondary credential, or 36 of the last 60 months as an active owner-manager with 100% ownership.
The business must be new and aligned with the community's priorities; buying an existing business is not part of this stream. The rules on what counts as investment follow the same principles as the Base stream.
After approval
The steps after approval mirror the Base stream: a Performance Agreement, a work permit, establishing and actively managing the business, then a final report and nomination. The Program Guide's stream comparison lists 12 months after work permit issuance as the earliest point to submit a Regional final report, compared with 18 months for Base. Check the current Regional program guide and your own agreement for the exact terms.
Questions people ask
Which communities take part?
The list changes over time, so always use the current WelcomeBC page. Each listing shows the community's contact details and economic priorities.
Can I live in Vancouver and run the business remotely?
No. You must manage the business actively and in person, and live near it as your Performance Agreement requires.
Is the Regional stream less competitive?
Not necessarily. Its financial thresholds are lower, but each round invites only a handful of candidates, and minimum scores in 2026 have varied widely from round to round.
Can my referral expire?
Yes. A community referral is valid for 90 days from the date it is issued, so plan your registration before you request it.
Official sources
- WelcomeBC: For entrepreneurs and businesses
- WelcomeBC: Participating Regional communities
- Entrepreneur Immigration Base Program Guide (PDF)
- WelcomeBC: Invitations to apply
Checked against official sources on October 20, 2026.
Considering a smaller B.C. community?
Talk through the Regional stream in a free 20-minute consultation.
Free, 20 minutes, no obligation.