Outline
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program accelerates the immigration process for qualified workers and experienced entrepreneurs who want to settle in British Columbia and become a permanent resident of Canada.
The program is run on behalf of the province of British Columbia by the Ministry of Economic Development in conjunction with Citizenship Immigration Canada (CIC).
The provincial nominee program selects and recommends potential immigrants for permanent residence and is aimed at those who will be able to become economically established in British Columbia and provide economic benefits to the province.
Individuals who are nominated by the Province of British Columbia are entitled to apply for a permanent resident visa through CIMC as a Provincial Nominee. They can also apply for their spouse and dependent children. CIMC accelerates the process for permanent resident applications from Provincial Nominees and delivers the final decision for permanent resident applications.
Process
Applicants may be able to qualify under one of two streams. They are the Strategic Occupation Stream or the Business Category Scheme.
Strategic Occupation Stream
This option is similar to a Canadian work permit in that it is employer led and applicants need to have a guaranteed job offer from an employer in British Columbia.
The position offered must be one that cannot be filled from the domestic workforce and applicants will need to be part of one of the following categories:
- Skilled workers - This category is aimed at information and high tech industry workers and aerospace workers.
- Health care professionals - This category includes doctors, nurses and midwives as well as international graduates from a recognised post secondary establishment in British Columbia.
Business Categories Stream
This category has three further subcategories as follows:
Business Skills Category
Candidates must have a net value of no less than CDN$2 million, and make an investment of CDN$800,000. Candidates must also demonstrate business experience relevant to the proposed business venture. The experience must include an active role in management. In addition, the applicant must control a minimum of 1/3 share in the proposed business venture. Finally, a business plan must be submitted, showing how the venture will create no less than five new jobs in British Columbia.
Regional Development Category
Candidates must have a business project that is outside of the Greater Vancouver area. Candidates must have a net value of no less than CDN\$600,000, and make an investment of CDN$300,000. This amount excludes any real estate investments. Candidates will need to demonstrate they are active in management, and have a minimum of 50% equity in the business. A business plan must be submitted, showing how the venture will create not less than two new jobs in British Columbia.
Projects Category
As technical professionals or skilled managers with relevant experience, candidates must show their employment is required for a proposed project, or a company expansion or new investment of no less than CDN$1 million. For a company expansion or new investment, no less than five new jobs need to be created in British Columbia by the expansion or investment.
