British Columbia Invites Entrepreneurs in Latest Provincial Immigration Draw
British Columbia invited 10 entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through the Base Stream of the BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration category in its July 28, 2026 draw. Candidates needed a minimum score of 117 to receive an invitation. The draw brings the province’s total entrepreneur-focused invitations in 2026 to at least 88 and highlights the eligibility, requirements, investment, net worth, and application process for British Columbia’s Base and Regional entrepreneur streams.
Rohit Grewal
British Columbia has invited entrepreneurs to apply for provincial nomination through its latest immigration draw.
In the July 28 draw, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) issued invitations to entrepreneurs interested in starting a new business or taking over an existing business in the province.
A total of 10 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued through the Base Stream of the BCPNP's Entrepreneur Immigration category. Candidates who receive an invitation have the opportunity to apply for provincial nomination toward Canadian permanent residence.
Applicants selected in this draw needed a minimum score of 117.
This was British Columbia's eighth selection round of 2026 under its Entrepreneur Immigration category.
British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration Draws in 2026
The following table shows the July 28 draw alongside the previous Entrepreneur Immigration draws conducted by British Columbia in 2026:
Date of Draw | Entrepreneur Immigration Stream | Number of 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 |
British Columbia has conducted 13 entrepreneur-focused draws through its Entrepreneur Immigration selection rounds so far in 2026. Of these, eight were held under the Base Stream, while the remaining five were conducted under the Regional Stream.
The July 28 draw was one of only three draws this year that invited candidates exclusively through the Base Stream.
During 2026, minimum scores in the Base Stream have ranged between 115 and 121.
So far this year, British Columbia has issued at least 88 invitations to apply for provincial nomination through its Entrepreneur Immigration category.
When invitations issued through the BCPNP's Skills Immigration category are also included, the province has issued at least 3,824 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in 2026 so far.
Latest Entrepreneur Draw Follows Targeted Skills Immigration Selection
The July 28 entrepreneur-focused draw took place shortly after a targeted Skills Immigration selection.
In that selection, British Columbia issued its first invitations under the new Temporary Rural / Remote Health Support Initiative. The initiative targets health authority cleaners and security personnel.
BCPNP Entrepreneur Immigration Streams
British Columbia currently offers two entrepreneur-focused immigration streams:
Base Stream
Regional Stream
Although both streams are designed for entrepreneurs, their eligibility criteria, requirements, and conditions differ.
Base Stream vs. Regional Stream
Criteria | Base Stream | Regional Stream |
Business type | Launch a new business or take over and grow an existing business | Launch a new business outside the Metro Vancouver Regional District |
Business experience | 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 10 years | 3 years as a business owner-manager in the last 5 years |
Education* | Post-secondary credential | Post-secondary credential |
Minimum language proficiency | CLB 4 | CLB 4 |
Minimum personal net worth | $600,000 | $300,000 |
Minimum investment | $200,000 | $100,000 |
Minimum ownership | 31.33% | 51% |
Community referral required? | No | Yes |
Exploratory visit required? | No | Yes |
Minimum registration score | 115/200 | 105/200 |
Registration with BCPNP co-applicant permitted? | Yes | No |
*Candidates who do not have a post-secondary qualification must demonstrate full ownership (100%) and active management of a business for at least three years during the previous five years.
How the Entrepreneur Immigration Process Works
The general process for obtaining permanent residence is similar under both the Base and Regional streams.
However, candidates applying through the Regional Stream must complete two additional requirements at the beginning of the process.
The process includes:
Identify a participating community that is suitable for the proposed business under the Regional Stream.
Complete an exploratory visit and obtain a referral from the selected community under the Regional Stream.
Prepare a business proposal.
Register with the BCPNP and receive a score based on human capital and economic factors.
Wait for an invitation to apply in a future provincial draw.
Submit a complete provincial nomination application within four months of receiving an invitation.
If approved, apply to the federal government for a work permit.
Establish and actively operate the business in British Columbia.
Receive a provincial nomination after meeting the conditions of the program.
Once candidates receive a provincial nomination, they can submit their application for permanent residence directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Rohit Grewal
COO & Co-Founder