BC PNP – Strategic Projects Stream: Foreign corporations expanding operations in BC and key personnel

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is the province’s economic immigration tool to attract new residents to British Columbia. The program allows the province to select a limited number of potential immigrants and nominate them for permanent residence. Individuals nominated by the BC PNP are eligible to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence for themselves and their dependents.

The Entrepreneur Immigration stream is for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to invest in and actively manage an eligible business in the province.

Entrepreneurs who meet eligibility criteria and requirements based on factors such as personal net worth, business experience, and economic impact, may choose to apply under one of the following streams:

The Base stream is an immigration pathway for individuals who want to start a new business or purchase and develop an existing business.

The Regional stream is an immigration pathway for individuals who want to start a new business outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District and who wish to select a B.C. community participating in the program as their place of residence.

Businesses (foreign corporations) wanting to establish operations in the province can apply under the program's Strategic Projects stream. The Strategic Projects stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for existing employees of foreign corporations wishing to operate in British Columbia.

The Entrepreneur Immigration - Strategic Projects Stream is for established foreign businesses with strong financial health and the capacity to expand operations into B.C. To be considered under this stream, companies are expected to have identified an investment opportunity in B.C. that is strategic to their growth and core business expansion, to have completed market research and commercial feasibility assessments, and to have developed a detailed implementation plan. If invited to apply and subsequently approved, key company personnel who are experienced senior managers may work at the B.C. subsidiary/branch on a BC PNP-supported work permit and receive a nomination once the investment has been made and jobs have been created.

B.C. will issue invitations to apply to foreign-owned companies that meet the criteria and can most clearly demonstrate that their investment will provide significant economic benefit to the province. To date, B.C. has approved companies operating in advanced manufacturing, technology, new media, specialized engineering, forestry product processing, and scientific research and development.

Reviewed on October 6, 2026. Source: WelcomeBC – Strategic Projects criteria and process.

Eligibility and requirements for the Strategic Projects Stream

Eligibility:

Equity investment: Must make a minimum equity investment of 500,000 CAD directed toward the corporation's B.C. operations.

Requirements:

• Business readiness: Must demonstrate readiness to invest and capacity for international expansion into B.C.
• Financial standing: Must demonstrate that the business is well-established and in good financial standing.
• Key personnel standards: Must work in a full-time, indeterminate position and possess the necessary experience to directly manage the business in B.C.
• Job creation: Must create at least 3 new full-time jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each proposed key staff member, up to a maximum of 5 staff.

Process and timelines

1. Senior representative meets with BC PNP; the province may invite a proposal submission. Registration does not guarantee an invitation to apply.
2. If an invitation is received, submit the application within 90 days. Personnel may be interviewed.
3. After approval, the business and each approved staff member sign a Performance Agreement; staff receive a support letter to apply for a work permit.
4. Submit work permit application within 90 days; arrive in B.C. within 6 months of the support letter.
5. Submit Arrival Report within 2 months after arriving in B.C.
6. Implement the agreement; submit a final report between 12–24 months after arriving in B.C.
7. Meeting the agreement requirements allows for nomination consideration; then apply for PR with IRCC.

The work permit support letter and provincial nomination are not decisions on PR granting. IRCC decides permanent residence applications.

Government fees

BC PNP fees, IRCC fees, and consulting service fees are separate. See the current BC PNP fee schedule and IRCC fee schedule before submitting.

Ineligible businesses

The program prioritizes businesses that meet labor market needs and the economic development of British Columbia. To learn about businesses ineligible under the BC PNP, please see the list below:

• Immigration-linked investment schemes under the Provincial Immigration Programs Regulation section 6(e) and IRPR section 87(5)(b), as defined in IRPR 87(9)
• Any business with investment terms that include a redemption option under IRPR 87(6)(d)
• Any business that may be a passive investment under IRPR 87(6)(c)
• Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms, and home-based businesses
• Payday loan, check cashing, money changing, and cash machine businesses
• Pawnbrokers
• Tanning salons
• DVD rental stores
• Coin-operated laundries
• Automated car washes
• Scrap metal recycling
• Used goods businesses (unless there is value-added, such as repair, refurbishment, or recycling)
• Real estate development/brokerage, insurance brokerage, or business brokerage
• Real estate development operations
• Commodity trading (e.g., import/export), unless value-added is demonstrated

👉 Businesses planning to expand operations into British Columbia can schedule an appointment to assess the project and eligibility of key personnel. KeyApply provides business consulting support; immigration applications are handled by an RCIC or lawyer. You can call, email, or message us via the KeyApply.com website.

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