Maple News reports that the province of British Columbia (B.C.) has officially made its Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program a permanent feature of its immigration strategy. Now known as the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Stream, the initiative is part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) and aims to attract foreign entrepreneurs to establish businesses in smaller, underserved communities across the province.
The EI Regional Stream is designed as a temporary-to-permanent residency pathway, providing qualified international entrepreneurs with initial temporary status. Once they successfully launch and manage their business in a designated community, they can transition to permanent residency status.
This permanent stream presents a renewed opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded immigrants looking to build businesses and settle in B.C. By placing a focus on regional areas, the program not only supports community development but also spreads economic benefits beyond major urban centers.
Under the program, participating communities identify priority business types and actively engage with prospective candidates. Entrepreneurs must first visit the chosen community, receive a referral from local authorities, and establish contact with a designated community representative before they can formally apply.
To be eligible, applicants must meet several requirements:
– Launch a qualifying new business aligned with a participating community’s development goals;
– Show relevant business ownership or management experience;
– Possess a personal net worth exceeding CAD $300,000;
– Make a minimum investment of CAD $100,000 into the business;
– Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
– Attain at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 in English or French;
– Have, or be eligible for, legal immigration status in Canada;
– Have been lawfully admitted into their current country of residence.
Once these criteria are met, entrepreneurs can initiate contact with communities from the officially published list made available by the B.C. government. This collaborative model ensures local buy-in and targeted economic growth.
According to Maple News, the permanent implementation of this stream aligns with British Columbia’s broader economic priorities—stimulating entrepreneurship, job creation, and regional economic development. For driven immigrants, the EI Regional Stream represents a unique and accessible entry point into Canada’s business and immigration landscape.