IMMIGRATE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA AS AN ENTREPRENEUR


ENTREPRENEUR IMMIGRATION - REGIONAL PILOT PROGRAM



The province of British Columbia, located in the west coast of Canada and well known for its beautiful weather (considering Canadian standards when it comes to weather), has 2 entrepreneur programs.

This article will concentrate on the Regional Pilot program which is less costly but requires a previous business trip to the province within 1 year before submitting the application. For most applicants, this means an additional cost for a business visa.

Nonetheless, the BC Regional Pilot program for entrepreneurs focuses on applicants who are interested in setting up a business in a rural community with less than 75,000 inhabitants. The program was specifically created to help develop those rural communities.

You will have to set up a business, manage it for at least 1 year, and then be eligible to apply for permanent residency. This is an active investment, not a passive one. You must actively manage the business.

For the details of the program, see the table below:


PROGRAM BC ENTREPRENEUR REGIONAL PILOT
GOAL OPEN A NEW BUSINESS
WHERE BRITISH COLUMBIA
IN A REGION WITH A POPULATION OF LESS THAN 75,000 INHABITANTS
WHAT YOU GET 2 YEARS WORK PERMIT
ACTIVE OR PASSIVE INVESTMENT ACTIVE
CONDITIONS
  • Have done a business visit in the province and in the community when you want to settle.
  • Have business experience as an owner or senior manager.
  • Provide a business proposal strong enough to be selected by the province.
  • Create at least 1 job during year 1 for a Canadian.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT $100,000
MINIMUM NET WORTH REQUIRED

(can be husband + wife)		 $300,000
MINIMUM OWNERSHIP 51%
RENT OR BUY You can rent the business space or buy it.
FRANCHISE Yes.
PROCESS
  • You gather the documents and pass the IELTS test (CLB 4 minimum).
  • We help you find the location/business concept.
  • Make a business trip to the province.
  • Obtain a letter of support from a community.
  • We do the business plan tailored to immigration requirements.
  • We submit the business proposal.
  • Be selected by the province.
  • Have your net worth verified.
  • We submit an entire application package to the province.
  • Interview.
  • Approval.
  • Work permit.
  • Come to Canada.
  • Operate the business for at least 12 months.
  • Apply for permanent residence. It will take approximately 1.5 years to be processed.

After becoming a permanent resident of Canada, you can obtain Canadian citizenship (passport) after 3 years of residency in Canada. These 3 years do not need to be continuous.
DOCUMENTS

some may not apply to your case and some can be replaced/added
  • Passport.
  • National ID.
  • Military card/exemption.
  • Marriage certificate.
  • Education degrees.
  • Resume.
  • List of all your travels.
  • Proof of business ownership/activity back home (business licence, taxes, work contracts).
  • Proof of net worth (cash, assets in the bank, properties, etc.)
TIME (approximate) 6-12 months.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS IELTS GENERAL 4.
MEDICAL COVERAGE IN CANADA (after obtaining a visa) Yes.
OPINION

ADVANTAGES

  • If your business concept is selected, this program facilitates permanent residence with the support of the province.

DISADVANTAGES

  • Longer process.
  • You must be willing to live in a rural region, and must first visit the regions you want to settle in.
  • You have no guarantee that you will be selected or when you will be selected.

We help entrepreneurs set up their business and immigration strategy and execute on it.

We believe immigration is more than just a visa. We accompany our entrepreneurs during their entire immigration journey: from business set up to the first work permit, then permanent residency and finally, citizenship.

  • Find the business to buy or rent.
  • Find the location.
  • Incorporate the business.
  • Write a business plan tailored to immigration requirements.
  • We put you in touch with our network to start finding clients, distributors, suppliers.
  • Find schools for your children.
  • Your spouse and children under 22 years old can be included in your application.

To book a consultation with a lawyer and explore your business immigration options, email us.

Contact

+1 647.979.7068 (WhatsApp available)


immigration@navaelmilawyer.com


85 East Liberty Street, Toronto, Ontario, M6K 3R4, Canada


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