The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Registration System

BC PNP entrepreneur immigration registration is the creation of a profile expressing the candidate’s interest in taking part in the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration stream.

The programme’s registration scoring is based on self-declared factors and the business idea. The candidate must achieve the minimum score for each factor in order to enter the selection pool. The total score determines whether the candidate may receive an Invitation to Apply under the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration stream.

The maximum score attainable is200.

Scoring sections

Section	Points
Self-declared
Experience	20
Ownership	4
Net worth	12
Total personal investment	20
Employment	12
Regional development	12
Adaptability	40
Total self-declared sub-score	120
The business idea
Commercial viability	30
Transferability of skills	15
Economic benefit	35
Total business idea sub-score	80
MAXIMUM TOTAL SCORE ATTAINABLE	200

Self-declared scoring

Self-declared factor 1: Experience

Entrepreneur immigration candidates may receive points for their business ownership experience or senior management work experience.

The candidate must provide details of business experience and work experience in the 10 years before submitting the expression of interest. Where invited to apply, they are required to provide evidence of the business or work experience reported.

During registration, the candidate must specify the industry code under theNorth American Industry Classification System (NAICS)and the occupation code under theNational Occupational Classification (NOC)that best matches their experience.

The maximum score attainable for this section is 20. The candidate must score at least 8 points to meet the minimum requirement for this section.

Duration	Points
Business owner-manager experience
Less than 12 months	0
12 to 24 months	4
25 to 36 months	6
37 to 48 months	12
49 to 60 months	15
60 months or more	20
Senior management work experience
Less than 24 months	0
24 to 48 months	4
49 to 60 months	8
60 months or more	12
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	20

Self-declared factor 2: Ownership

Duration	Points
Business owner experience
Less than 36 months (3 years) of the 5 years owning 100% of the business shares (including those of a spouse or dependent children)	0
36 months (3 years) or more of the 5 years owning 100% of the business shares (including those of a spouse or dependent children)	4
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	4

Self-declared factor 3: Net worth

Candidates may receive points for their total net worth, including that of a spouse or common-law partner, where applicable. When submitting a registration, prospective candidates must have a minimum personal net worth of CAD 600,000.

The maximum score attainable for personal net worth is 12. The candidate must score at least 5 points under this factor.

Personal net worth	Points
Total current assets (cash and liquid funds)
Below CAD 50,000	0
CAD 50,000 to 199,999	2
CAD 200,000 to 399,999	3
CAD 400,000 or more	4
Total personal net worth
Below CAD 600,000	0
CAD 600,000 to 799,999	5
CAD 800,000 to 1,999,999	6
CAD 2,000,000 to 4,999,999	7
CAD 5,000,000 or more	8
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	12

Self-declared factor 4: Total personal investment

Candidates may receive points based on the total personal investment proposed for the business. The investment relating to the proposed business must be completed within 610 days (about 20 months) of arriving in British Columbia on a BC PNP-supported work permit. Where the candidate proposes to partner with a co-registrant, they must include the name of each partner in the registration.

The maximum score attainable for this section is 20. The candidate must score at least 8 points, or 10 points where they propose a key staff member, to meet the minimum requirement for this section.

Eligible personal investment	Points
Below CAD 200,000	0
CAD 200,000 to 399,999	8
CAD 400,000 to 599,999	10
CAD 600,000 to 999,999	11
CAD 1,000,000 to 1,999,999	12
CAD 2,000,000 to 3,999,999	14
CAD 4,000,000 to 7,999,999	16
CAD 8,000,000 or more	20
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	20

Self-declared factor 5: Jobs created/maintained

Candidates receive points based on the proposed job creation and on maintaining jobs where they purchase an existing business.

For the proposed business, the candidate must identify the number of FTE (full-time equivalent) positions that will be created and maintained. The maximum score attainable for this section is 12. The candidate must score at least 4 points to meet the minimum requirement for this factor. A candidate is also not eligible where they do not create at least one FTE.

The number of FTE job positions created and maintained	Points
Fewer than 1	0
1	4
2	5
3	6
4	7
5	8
6	9
7-9	10
10-19	16
20 or more	12
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	12

Self-declared factor 6: Regional district

Candidates are awarded points for the location of the proposed business based on the population size of the Regional Districts in British Columbia. Where invited to apply, the entrepreneur is required to work at the main business premises in the proposed regional district.

The population of the British Columbia regional district	Points
Mainland/Southwest	0
Vancouver Island and Coast, Thompson/Okanagan	6
Cariboo	10
Northeast, Kootenay, Nechako, North Coast	12
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	12

Self-declared factor 7: Adaptability

Candidates receive points based on self-declared adaptability factors. Although these factors are not mandatory requirements of the BC PNP, they are indicators supporting the international entrepreneur’s ability to settle in British Columbia.

Evidence of language proficiency, such as a copy of test scores or a certificate, is not required when the candidate registers for the Entrepreneur Immigration stream. However, where invited to apply, entrepreneurs may be required to provide evidence of language proficiency and education, such as an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The BC PNP scores candidates on work experience accumulated within the 10 years before applying.

The maximum score attainable for this section is 40. There is no minimum score required for adaptability.

Factor	Points
English proficiency
None or minimal, comparable to CLB 3 or below	0
Basic understanding, comparable to CLB 4	4
Intermediate and advanced, comparable to CLB 5 or above	6
Level of education
Secondary school or below	0
An associate programme, diploma/certificate (non-trades), diploma/certificate (trades)	4
A university degree, a postgraduate diploma/certificate	7
A master’s or doctoral degree	10
Age
Under 25	0
25 – 34	4
35 – 44	8
45 – 54	6
55 – 64	4
65 or over	0
A business exploratory visit to British Columbia
No, or visited British Columbia more than 3 years ago	0
Yes, visited British Columbia 1 – 3 years ago	3
Yes, visited British Columbia less than 1 year ago, but did not visit the Regional District of the proposed business	5
Yes, visited the Regional District of the proposed business less than 1 year ago	8
Work, business or study experience in Canada of at least 12 months
No	0
Hold a	8
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	32

Business idea scoring

The proposed business idea is assessed by the BC PNP and must include an overview of the following:

• A description of the business model and its operation: what will the business do and how?
• A description of the types of goods or services the business will provide
• The proposed job title and duties, and how the candidate’s qualifications relate to the proposed business
• A description of how the business will be commercially viable: what is the market entry strategy?
• A description of and the reasons for the staffing requirements.

In addition, candidates planning to purchase an existing business, whether in whole or in part, must:

• Identify and describe the business, including staffing
• Summarise the company’s financial performance, with approximate annual revenue, net profit and total wages paid over the past 3 years
• Comment on the business history and the financial position
• Explain how they determined the value of the business
• Provide a description of and the reasons for the expansion plan.

In the business idea section, candidates are also required to indicate whether they are proposing any of the following:

• A franchise business
• A partnership with a local partner
• A partnership with a BC PNP co-registrant
• A foreign key staff member

General market research or statistics should not be included in the Business Idea. A candidate’s registration is excluded where they propose an ineligible business

The candidate must score at least 40 points in total for their Business Idea. The Business Idea is assessed against the following factors:

The business idea	Points
Commercial viability	30
Transferability of skills	15
Economic benefit	35
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	80

Business idea factor 1: Commercial viability

The BC PNP assesses the commercial viability of the candidate’s business idea against the following factors. Under Commercial Viability, the BC PNP considers the ability to compete effectively, generate a profit and contribute to the province’s economic development. The maximum score attainable is 30.

Commercial viability factor	Points
The business model	10
The market & the product/service	4
Eligible personal investment	4
Assessment of the proposed investment	6
The ownership share	4
Risk factors	2
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	30

The business model

Under the Business Model, an entrepreneur candidate is required to explain how the proposed business will generate revenue and profit, and the plan for managing and operating the business successfully.

An entrepreneur intending to purchase an existing business, including a partnership, must:

• Identify how they plan to improve, upgrade and/or expand the business by providing new jobs, investment, introducing new products and/or services, and so on
• Demonstrate that the existing business is profitable by providing evidence that the business can sustain the additional costs, investment, generate a profit and hire more staff.

The BC PNP determines whether the business model is unsatisfactory/unclear, fair or good, and scores the candidate out of a maximum of 10 points against the following criteria:

1. An unsatisfactory/unclear business model (1 point) is determined where any of the following is identified:
   • The business model does not clearly identify and/or describe the business operation from end to end.
   • The business model does not clearly identify the products and/or services provided.
   • The proposed business size is not consistent with industry/regional standards;
   • The business idea does not provide details of the business candidate’s proposed role.
   • The business idea does not provide substantive information on the local business partner and/or co-registrant or key staff member (where applicable).
   • The proposed key staff member is not eligible and/or the co-registrants do not demonstrate a previous working/business relationship
   • Where purchasing an existing business: the proposed expansion plan does not effectively address the plan to upgrade/improve or expand the existing business, or is not eligible.
   • Where purchasing an existing business: the proposed expansion plan relies mainly on unsubstantiated investment and/or job creation and does not appear consistent with industry/regional standards.
2. A fair business model (5 points) is determined where all of the following are met:
   • The business model clearly identifies and describes the business operation from end to end.
   • The business model clearly identifies the products and/or services provided.
   • The proposed business size is consistent with industry/regional standards.
   • The business idea provides substantive information on the local business partner and/or co-registrant and/or key staff member (where applicable).
3. A good business model (10 points) is determined where, in addition to the core requirements for the fair level, the business idea also meets at least 3 of the following factors:
   • The proposed investment and jobs plan is consistent with the business model (6 points must be scored for the investment assessment and 6 points for the jobs assessment).
   • The business model identifies a clear strategy for becoming commercially viable.
   • The business model’s operating plan is internally consistent.
   • The candidate’s proposed duties with the business are consistent with the entrepreneur candidate’s experience.

The market and the product/service

The BC PNP awards up to 4 points for the candidate’s description of the types of products and/or services that will be provided (or are currently provided in the existing business). The candidate may receive 1 point where the business does not satisfactorily address any of the Market/Product factors, or 4 points where the business addresses at least one Market/Product factor and is consistent with the Business Model.

The candidate must demonstrate at least 1 of the 4 critical factors, consistent with the business model:

1. Competitive advantage: the product/service provides differentiation from potential competitors. Where local competitors offer the same or a similar product/service, it does not provide substantive differentiation.
2. High value: the proposed product/service will be a specialist product/service, distinct from generic, medium- to low-value products/services.
3. A new product/service: the product/service is “new to the market” or “new to the world”. The business idea should demonstrate that the product/service is not available locally.
4. Competitive analysis/market entry strategy: the business idea provides a competitive analysis identifying existing/potential competitors, how the product/service will be made unique or differentiated, how the target market will be attracted, the strengths and weaknesses of existing and potential competitors, and the proposed business’s competitive advantage and how it will enter the market effectively.

Eligible personal investment and assessment of the proposed investment

The BC PNP assesses the proposed personal investment and scores the candidate within their business idea. The assessment of the candidate’s proposed investment is based on the details provided against the type and scope of the proposed business, the market, the product/service, the business model, and industry and/or local standards.

A candidate proposing an existing business is excluded where their personal investment is below CAD 50,000.

Points for the proposed personal investment are based on the following factors:

Eligible personal investment	Points
Below CAD 200,000, or below CAD 50,000 for eligible expansion investments	0
CAD 200,000 to 399,999	1
CAD 400,000 to 599,999	2
CAD 600,000 to 799,999	3
CAD 800,000 or more	4
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	4

• Where a candidate scores 0 points in this section, their registration is excluded.
• Where a candidate proposes a key staff member and scores fewer than 2 points in this section, their registration is excluded.

In assessing the proposed investment, the BC PNP considers the following factors:

Assessment	Points
The proposed investment is not consistent with the type or size of the business	0
The proposed investment is consistent with the type and size of the business	4
The proposed investment is consistent with the type and size of the business, the market, the proposed product or service, the business model, and industry standards.	6
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	6

The ownership share and risk factors

Candidates may receive up to 4 points for the ownership share based on the following factors:

The ownership share	Points
100% ownership	4
More than 50% and less than 100%	3
33.34% to 50%	2
Less than 33.34% ownership	0
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	4

• Where the candidate’s ownership share is less than 33.34%, a minimum investment of CAD 1,000,000 must be made to avoid exclusion.

The BC PNP awards candidates up to 2 points where they can demonstrate the ability to address any potential risk factors in the proposed business. The following risk factors may result in a deduction of 2 points:

• Proposing external financing
• Proposing to invest more than 50% of personal net worth
• Proposing to partner with a co-registrant.

Business idea factor 2: Transferability of skills

The BC PNP scores candidates on transferable skills, which are skills demonstrating the similarity between the occupation and industry in which the candidate accumulated business/work experience and the proposed business in British Columbia. Once a candidate is invited to apply, the BC PNP assesses those skills on receiving the application.

The BC PNP defines direct experience as experience gained in the same industry and field corresponding to the first 3 digits of the proposed NAICS code. Related experience is defined as experience gained in a similar industry operating in a line of business related to the proposed business.

For business or work experience points, the candidate must have experience as an actively managing business owner in a similar business or as a senior manager in a similar position within the 10 years before applying.

Where a candidate has both business ownership and senior management work experience, their business experience score is a combination of business experience and work experience. The maximum score for Transferability of Skills is 20.

Transferability of skills	Points
Business experience only
More than 12 months of experience in an unrelated industry	2
12 months or less of direct experience, or 12 to 36 months of related experience	5
13 to 24 months of direct experience, or more than 37 months of related experience	8
13 to 24 months of direct experience and more than 37 months of related experience	10
25 to 36 months of direct experience	12
25 to 36 months of direct experience and more than 37 months of related experience	14
37 to 60 months of direct experience	16
37 to 60 months of direct experience and more than 37 months of related experience	18
More than 60 months of direct experience	20
Maximum score attainable	20
Work experience only
More than 12 months of experience in an unrelated industry	2
12 months or less of direct experience, or 12 to 36 months of related experience	4
13 to 36 months of direct experience, or more than 37 months of related experience	6
13 to 36 months of direct experience and more than 37 months of related experience	8
37 to 60 months of direct experience	10
37 to 60 months of direct experience and more than 37 months of related experience	12
More than 60 months of direct experience	14
Maximum score attainable	14
Language ability
Minimal to none (comparable to CLB 3 or below)	0
Basic language proficiency (comparable to CLB 4)	1
Intermediate language proficiency or above (comparable to CLB 5 or above)	2
Maximum score attainable	2

Business idea factor 3: Economic benefit

Candidates are awarded up to 30 points for the proposed business’s potential contribution to British Columbia’s economic development. Where invited to apply, the candidate is required to provide evidence of the proposed Economic Benefit factors. The Economic Benefit score is based on the following factors:

Overall economic benefit	Points
A key sector & significant economic benefit	12
Assessment of jobs	6
High-skilled jobs (NOC 0, A or B)	4
Regional development	8
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	30

A key sector and significant economic benefit

Candidates are awarded 3 points for this Economic Benefit factor even where no key sector or significant economic benefit is identified. Entrepreneur candidates are awarded 8 points where they provide evidence of at least 1 key sector or significant economic benefit. Where a candidate can provide evidence of at least 1 key sector and 1 significant economic benefit, they may receive 12 points towards their total Economic Benefit score.

The following key sectors are eligible for additional points:

• Agrifood: food production and food processing
• Technology and the green economy
• Forestry
• Transport
• International education: recognised educational organisations proposing to provide education programmes in British Columbia for international students
• Biomedical: including research and development, manufacturing, and so on
• Mining & energy or the natural gas sector
• Destination tourism: businesses aimed directly at tourists where their product/service is the tourist attraction, rather than businesses providing ancillary activity from the tourism industry
• Value-added manufacturing: for businesses providing high value-added manufacturing – not basic or simple assembly of foreign-manufactured products
• Indigenous peoples and First Nations: partnering with or receiving support from a First Nation community for businesses affecting a First Nation community or bringing significant benefit to a First Nation community.

Other significant economic benefits the proposed business may demonstrate:

• Applying new technology: new technology not commonly used in similar businesses
• Developing new products & services
• Developing innovative approaches to traditional businesses: innovative approaches considered high value (technology-based) and not yet commonly used by similar businesses
• Increasing exports: primary businesses that will/can increase exports. This does not include businesses supporting export/trade such as trading companies or agencies
• Increasing research and development, and technology commercialisation
• Providing products or services to an underserved local or regional market
• Transferring technology and specialist knowledge to British Columbia: supporting and/or promoting the high-technology sector, and/or providing opportunities to develop technology products/services in British Columbia

Assessment of jobs and high-skilled jobs

The BC PNP reviews the candidate’s jobs plan against the type and scope of the proposed business, the market, the proposed product and/or service, the business model, and industry standards. Points are scored against the following factors:

Assessment of jobs	Points
The business idea does not support the creation of at least 1 FTE* position, or, where a key staff member is proposed, the creation of at least 3 FTE positions	0
The jobs plan is not consistent with the type and size of the business	1
The jobs plan is consistent with the type and size of the business	6
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	6

• An FTE is a position of at least 30 hours a week on average and 1,560 hours a year, held by one or more employees on a continuous basis. The employees must be Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents.
• A candidate scoring 0 points for the Assessment of Jobs is excluded.

In assessing the jobs plan, the BC PNP may award points to candidates proposing to create or maintain high-skilled occupations (NOC 0, A or B). Where the business idea does not include high-skilled positions, the candidate receives no points under this factor. Creating or maintaining 1 high-skilled position awards the candidate 2 points, and 2 or more positions leads to the maximum attainable score of 4 points for this Economic Benefit factor.

The BC PNP considers the following factors when assessing the proposed jobs plan:

• The jobs plan provides inadequate or incomplete information, where the BC PNP cannot determine whether the business idea supports the creation of the minimum FTE requirement. Or, the jobs plan proposes creating only occupations that are usually outsourced or that do not meet the minimum of 30 hours a week (or 1,560 hours a year).
• The proposed job creation plan is unsubstantiated or appears exaggerated or unreasonable given the type and size of the business (and the expansion plan, where applicable), and/or industry standards.
• The jobs plan appears consistent with the business model and corresponds to the type and size of the business. Satisfactory information is provided.
• The NOC code and whether it corresponds to the proposed job title and duties.
• The proposed occupations are substantiated and are usually recruited as full-time positions in the same industry and/or business size.
• The proposed wage levels appear consistent with industry standards (for this stage of the business life cycle).

Regional development

Depending on the location of the proposed business, candidates may be awarded up to 8 points for Regional Development under Economic Benefit.

The development region of British Columbia	Points
Lower Mainland / Southwest	2
Vancouver Island and Coast	4
Thompson / Okanagan	4
Cariboo	6
Kootenay	8
Nechako	8
North Coast	8
Northeast	8
MAXIMUM ATTAINABLE	8

Final scoring and the selection pool

The BC PNP scores the Business Idea and calculates the candidate’s final score.

Where a candidate is eligible for the selection pool, they receive a confirmation email from the BC PNP and can view their final registration score, including the score for each section.

Registrations meeting the minimum total score in every section are entered into the selection pool.

Registrations eligible for the selection pool are valid for 180 days (about 6 months).

Where a candidate is not invited to apply to the BC PNP within 6 (six) months of becoming eligible, the registration expires. At that point, they may submit a new registration to the BC PNP.

A candidate may have only one active BC PNP registration at any time.

Where a candidate proposes to partner with a co-registrant, the total score of the lowest-scoring candidate applies to all the co-registrants.

Once a candidate has entered the selection pool, their final registration score is ranked alongside other candidates. Periodically, the BC PNP invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply to the Entrepreneur Immigration stream.

Download the scoring table as a PDF athere.

Regularly updated guidance and scoring tables for the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration programme are athere.