British Columbia Opens 2026 with First Entrepreneur Immigration Draw
British Columbia has officially launched its 2026 Provincial Nominee Program activity by conducting the first entrepreneur-focused draw of the year. The selection reinforces the province’s continued priority on attracting experienced business owners who can contribute to economic growth and job creation across British Columbia.
The invitations were issued under the Entrepreneur Immigration category, targeting candidates with the capacity to establish new businesses or expand existing ones within the province.
Details of the January 2026 Entrepreneur Draw
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program carried out the draw on January 13, 2026, through the Base stream of its Entrepreneur Immigration Program.
Draw Snapshot:
- Draw date: January 13, 2026
- Stream: Entrepreneur Immigration – Base
- Minimum score required: 115
- Invitations issued: 7
This marks the first provincial selection round of the year under BC’s entrepreneur pathway.
Strong Momentum from 2025 Continues
British Columbia maintained a strong focus on entrepreneur immigration throughout 2025. During the previous year, the province conducted ten Base stream entrepreneur draws, issuing a minimum of 93 invitations to qualified candidates.
This consistent draw activity made the Base Entrepreneur stream one of the most active business immigration pathways in Canada last year, and the first draw of 2026 signals that the province intends to continue this approach.
Understanding the Base Entrepreneur Immigration Stream
The Base Entrepreneur stream is designed for seasoned entrepreneurs who wish to start a new business or acquire and expand an existing one in British Columbia. Unlike the Regional Entrepreneur stream, this pathway does not require a referral from a participating community.
Due to its flexibility and broader geographic scope, the Base stream generally carries higher financial thresholds.
Typical requirements may include:
- A higher personal net worth compared to regional streams
- A significant minimum investment amount
- Active involvement in the day-to-day management of the business
The program also allows candidates to purchase a portion of an existing business, usually requiring a minimum ownership stake of one-third.
How the Entrepreneur Immigration Process Works
While specific timelines and requirements may vary, entrepreneur applicants typically progress through the following stages:
- Submission of an entrepreneur registration and scoring under the program’s points system
- Receipt of an invitation if the candidate’s score meets or exceeds the draw threshold
- Application approval and issuance of a work permit
- Establishment and operation of the business in British Columbia
- Provincial nomination for permanent residence upon meeting all business performance commitments
After receiving a provincial nomination, applicants may apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
What This Means for Entrepreneur Applicants
The first draw of 2026 highlights British Columbia’s ongoing commitment to business-driven immigration. Entrepreneurs with strong financial profiles, business experience, and realistic business plans may find this an opportune time to explore the BC PNP Entrepreneur pathway.
Candidates are encouraged to ensure their business proposals align with provincial economic priorities and meet all program requirements before entering the selection pool.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
