Maple News reports that British Columbia has continued its strong push to attract international entrepreneurs, issuing up to 17 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the province’s latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held on July 8, 2025.
This marks the fifth entrepreneur-targeted selection round of the year under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). The draw focused entirely on candidates applying through two key streams: the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Base stream and the EI Regional stream.
According to the latest release, 12 invitations were issued under the EI Base stream with a minimum cut-off score of 121. The EI Regional stream—designed to attract business candidates to smaller communities—issued fewer than 5 invitations, with a cut-off score of 115.
British Columbia has remained consistent in its 2025 strategy of prioritizing entrepreneurial immigration pathways. So far this year, the province has issued approximately 39 invitations under the EI Base stream and no more than 20 under the EI Regional stream. Notably, only one non-entrepreneur draw has occurred this year: the May 8 selection targeting skilled workers.
There have been no selections to date under the EI Strategic Projects stream in 2025, which is typically reserved for corporations aiming to relocate critical staff to B.C. in support of strategic investment initiatives.
British Columbia offers two core pathways for foreign nationals looking to invest and build a life in the province as business owners: the EI Base stream is intended for individuals looking to establish or purchase businesses in urban or high-opportunity areas; the EI Regional stream focuses on encouraging economic development in smaller B.C. communities.
The continued activity in B.C.’s entrepreneur streams highlights the province’s commitment to job creation, regional development, and economic innovation, especially as it seeks to recover and grow in a competitive post-pandemic immigration landscape.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on B.C. PNP activity as trends evolve through 2025.