Two-year pilot aims to attract experienced entrepreneurs to smaller communities around the province

Entrepreneurs interested in immigrating to British Columbia through the province’s new Regional Pilot can now take the first steps toward obtaining a community referral.

The pilot, which opened March 14, is designed to help smaller, more remote communities in the province attract new businesses and create jobs.

Experienced entrepreneurs approved through the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot receive a temporary work permit to start their business and can later apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence if they meet the conditions specified in their performance agreement.

The pilot is meant for regional communities of less than 75,000 people that are located more than 30 kilometers from a larger population centre. It was created to address the demographic and economic challenges that many of these towns and cities are facing.

More than 30 communities have already joined the pilot and are now in a position to begin referring eligible candidates to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) for consideration.

In order to participate, communities must have the required support services in place to help business owners and their families settle.