What is the BC PNP Base Category?
The Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Base Category, which B.C. now calls the Base stream, is the province’s main route for experienced business owners and senior managers. You start or buy a business in B.C. and run it on a work permit. Once you meet the terms of your performance agreement, B.C. can nominate you for permanent residence.
This guide follows the BC PNP’s EI – Base Program Guide (effective May 27, 2024) and the 2026 draw results.
BC PNP Base Category at a glance
Key takeaway
Meeting the minimums only gets you into the pool. In 2026, B.C. has held roughly monthly Base draws, each inviting about 7 to 15 people, with cut-off scores between 115 and 121. A strong, well-researched business concept is what separates invited candidates from the rest.
Who qualifies for the BC PNP Base Category?
You must meet every one of these requirements to be nominated.
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Business experience
More than 3 years as an active owner-manager (with at least 10% ownership), more than 4 years as a senior manager, or 1 year as an owner-manager plus 2 years as a senior manager, all within the last 10 years.
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Education
A post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate. Without one, you need at least 3 years actively managing a business you owned 100% in the last 5 years (ownership can be shared with your spouse and dependent children).
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Personal net worth
At least $600,000, legally obtained and verified by a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm after you are invited.
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Personal investment
At least $200,000 of your own funds in eligible business expenses, made within 610 days (about 20 months) of arriving in B.C.
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Ownership
At least one-third (33⅓%) of the business. With less, you must make an equity investment of at least $1 million.
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Job creation
At least 1 new permanent full-time job (30+ hours a week, 1,560 hours a year) for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident within 420 days of arrival. Your own and your spouse’s jobs don’t count.
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Language
CLB 4 or higher in all four skills, in English or French.
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Immigration status
Lawful status where you live now. B.C. won’t nominate someone who is out of status or working without authorization in Canada, or who has an unresolved refugee claim.
Good to know
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation or approval. Your business concept must also score at least 40 of its 80 points.
What kind of business qualifies?
Your business must be commercially viable, add economic benefits to B.C. and need your active, day-to-day management. Choose the route that fits your plan.
- You can start a new business anywhere in B.C. Regions outside the Mainland/Southwest earn more points.
- Your investment must be essential to running the business, not passive or speculative.
- You must live within 50 km of the business and work at its main location.
- A seasonal business qualifies only if you will be in B.C. and actively manage it year-round.
- The current owner must have run the business for at least 5 years.
- Up to $150,000 of the purchase price counts toward your investment, excluding professional fees.
- You must invest at least $50,000 more to improve, upgrade or expand the business.
- You must keep the existing jobs and pay wages in line with each job’s NOC TEER category.
- Name the specific business in your registration and build your plan around it.
- The franchise must be well established, with a sound financial track record and at least 5 years of operation.
- Your application must show the franchisor supports you.
- Get the franchisor’s disclosure document before you invest.
- If you buy an existing location, include an expansion or improvement plan that meets the franchisor’s rules.
- Passive investments, rental property and real estate development
- Bed and breakfasts, hobby farms and home-based businesses
- Payday loans, cheque cashing, money changing and cash machines
- Pawnbrokers, tanning salons, coin laundries and automated car washes
- Real estate, insurance or business brokerage
- Import/export trading without demonstrated added value
- Scrap metal recycling and most used-goods businesses
Regulated industries
Agriculture, child care, health care, financial services, passenger transportation and other highly regulated industries are still eligible. Your plan must show how you will meet their licensing and regulatory requirements.
Which sectors and benefits earn extra points?
Economic benefits are worth up to 35 of the 80 business concept points, and up to 23 of those come from key sectors and significant economic benefits. To claim a key sector, it must be a core part of your business. A minor link isn’t enough.
- Aerospace
- Agriculture, food and beverage: food production and processing
- Clean technology
- Digital media and entertainment
- Forestry, including wood product manufacturing
- Information and communications technology
- Life sciences
- Mining
- Natural gas
- Succession: buying 100% of an existing business outside Metro Vancouver
- New technology: adopting technology not yet in regular use by similar B.C. businesses
- Innovation: new approaches to a traditional business, such as more efficient processes
- Exports: manufacturing with significant export activity (not trading companies or agencies)
- Commercialization: bringing to market a proprietary technology whose R&D is complete
- Indigenous partnership: partnering with First Nations communities, with evidence such as an MOU
- Regional demand: serving an under-served local or regional market with proven demand
- Tech growth: training and support services that help B.C.’s technology sector grow
How this is scored
You get 3 points if you show no key sector or benefit, 10 for one key sector or one benefit, 16 for one of each, and 23 for at least one key sector plus two benefits. Every claim must be backed up in your business concept.
How is your BC PNP Base registration scored?
Your registration is scored out of 200: up to 120 points for self-declared factors and up to 80 for your business concept. You need at least 115 points in total to enter the qualified pool. Officers check your answers and can lower your score.
Points for owner-manager or senior manager experience, plus 4 bonus points if you owned 100% of a business for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
| Experience | Total 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 59 months | 15 | |
| 60 months or more | 20 | |
| Senior manager work experience | Less than 24 months | 0 |
| 25 to 48 months | 4 | |
| 49 to 59 months | 8 | |
| 60 months or more | 12 | |
| Maximum Score Available | 20 |
Points for your liquid assets and your total net worth, including your spouse’s and dependent children’s.
| Personal Net Worth | Value | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Your total current assets (cash and liquid funds) | Less than $50,000 | 0 |
| $50,000 to $199,999 | 2 | |
| $200,000 to $399,999 | 3 | |
| $400,000 or more | 4 | |
| Your total personal net worth | Less than $600,000 | 0 |
| $600,000 to $799,999 | 5 | |
| $800,000 to $1,999,999 | 6 | |
| $2,000,000 to $4,999,999 | 7 | |
| $5,000,000 or more | 8 | |
| Maximum Score Available | 12 |
Points for the total personal investment you propose to make in the business.
| Total Personal Investment | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than $200,000 | 0 |
| $200,000 to $399,999 | 8 |
| $400,000 to $599,999 | 10 |
| $600,000 to $999,999 | 11 |
| $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 | 12 |
| $2,000,000 to $3,999,999 | 14 |
| $4,000,000 to $7,999,999 | 16 |
| $8,000,000 or more | 20 |
| Maximum Score Available | 20 |
Points for the full-time jobs you will create, or maintain if you buy an existing business.
| Total Proposed FTE Jobs | Points |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 job | 0 |
| At least 1 job but less than 2 | 4 |
| At least 2 jobs but less than 3 | 5 |
| At least 3 jobs but less than 4 | 6 |
| At least 4 jobs but less than 5 | 7 |
| At least 5 jobs but less than 6 | 8 |
| At least 6 jobs but less than 7 | 9 |
| At least 7 jobs but less than 10 | 10 |
| At least 10 jobs but less than 20 | 11 |
| At least 20 jobs | 12 |
| Maximum Score Available | 12 |
There is no minimum. Regions outside the Mainland/Southwest earn more points. Planning a new business in a smaller community? Compare the BC PNP Regional stream.
| Locations based on BC Development Region | Points |
|---|---|
| Mainland/Southwest | 0 |
| Vancouver Island and Coast, Thompson/Okanagan | 6 |
| Cariboo | 10 |
| Northeast, Kootenay, Nechako, North Coast | 12 |
| Maximum Score Available | 12 |
Language, education, age, a recent exploratory visit and at least 12 months of work or study in Canada. There is no minimum.
| Adaptability Factor | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Language proficiency | None or minimal, similar to CLB 3 and below | 0 |
| Basic understanding, similar to CLB 4 | 4 | |
| Intermediate and advanced, similar to CLB 5 and above | 6 | |
| Education level | Secondary school or less | 0 |
| Associate degree | 4 | |
| Diploma/certificate (non- trades) | 4 | |
| Diploma/certificate (trades) | 4 | |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7 | |
| Post-graduate diploma/certificate | 7 | |
| Master’s degree | 10 | |
| Doctorate / PhD | 10 | |
| Age | Less than 25 | 0 |
| 25 – 34 | 4 | |
| 35 – 44 | 8 | |
| 45 – 54 | 6 | |
| 55 – 64 | 4 | |
| 65 or older | 0 | |
| Business exploratory visits | No, or visited BC more than 3 years ago | 0 |
| Yes, visited BC 1 – 3 years ago | 3 | |
| Yes, visited BC 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 | |
| Canadian work experience, business experience, or studies from within Canada for at least 12 months | No | 0 |
| Yes | 8 | |
| Maximum Score Available | 40 |
Scored on commercial viability (30), transferability of your skills (15) and economic benefits (35).
| Business Concept Factors | Points |
|---|---|
| Commercial viability: | 30 |
| (a) Business model | |
| (b) Market and products/services | |
| (c) Eligible personal investment | |
| (d) Assessment of proposed personal investment | |
| (e) Ownership percentage | |
| (f) Risk factors | |
| Transferability of skills: | 15 |
| (a) Business owner-manager experience only | |
| (b) Senior manager work experience only | |
| (c) Language ability | |
| Economic benefits: | 35 |
| (a) Key sectors & significant economic benefits | |
| (b) Jobs assessment | |
| (c) High-skilled jobs | |
| Maximum Score Available | 80 |
How does the BC PNP Base Category process work?
The Base Category has six stages, from your first research trip to permanent residence.
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Step 01
Prepare and research
Check your eligibility and, ideally, visit B.C. to research opportunities and make local contacts. A recent visit to your business's regional district can earn up to 8 points.
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Step 02
Register online
Create a BC PNP Online profile and register for a $300 fee. Scores usually arrive within about 6 weeks, and qualified registrations stay in the pool for 6 months.
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Step 03
Apply when invited
You have 120 days to submit a full application with a $3,500 fee and a net worth verification report. You may be interviewed. Decisions usually take about 4 months.
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Step 04
Get your work permit
If approved, you sign a performance agreement and get a letter of confirmation. Apply to IRCC for a work permit within 90 days and arrive in B.C. within 12 months.
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Step 05
Build your business
You have up to 610 days to invest, create jobs and run the business. File an arrival report, a 12-month check-in and a final report 550 to 610 days after your work permit is issued.
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Step 06
Nomination and PR
If you met your performance agreement, B.C. nominates you. You and your family then apply to IRCC for permanent residence, which IRCC decides after medical and security checks.
Your family
Your spouse or common-law partner may be able to get an open work permit, depending on IRCC’s current rules for spouses, and your dependent children can attend school in B.C.
What does the Base Category cost and how long does it take?
These are the BC PNP’s own fees and its reported processing times. IRCC work permit and permanent residence fees and processing are separate.
| Stage | BC PNP fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | $300 | About 6 weeks |
| Application (work permit stage) | $3,500 | About 4 months |
| Final report (nomination stage) | No separate fee listed | About 4 months |
| Request for review | $500 | About 6 months |
Fees are non-refundable once the BC PNP starts its assessment. Processing times cover about 80% of cases. Professional fees for legal, accounting and business plan work are extra.
What are the most common BC PNP Base Category mistakes?
Refusals often come from planning problems, not from missing the minimums.
Investing before you're approved
Why it hurts
The BC PNP doesn't count investments made before your invitation, and anything spent before your performance agreement and work permit is at your own risk.
What works instead
Keep funds liquid and documented until you hold a work permit.
Borrowing the minimum investment
Why it hurts
The $200,000 minimum must come from your own funds with a clear source. Loans and mortgages don't count toward it.
What works instead
Use personal funds for the minimum. Financing can cover amounts above it.
Changing your business concept
Why it hurts
You can't change the concept after you register, and an application that differs materially from your registration can be refused.
What works instead
Settle the business, location and investment before you register.
Not living near the business
Why it hurts
You must live within 50 km, manage the business day to day and be in B.C. at least 75% of your work permit time, or you risk refusal at nomination.
What works instead
Plan your family's move and travel around the 75% rule from day one.
How often does B.C. invite Base Category entrepreneurs?
B.C. invites Base candidates from the pool about once a month. Draws are small, so both your score and your business concept matter. Results as of October 2026:
| Draw | Minimum score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2026 | 119 | 10 |
| August 25, 2026 | 116 | 11 |
| July 28, 2026 | 117 | 10 |
| June 30, 2026 | 118 | 14 |
| June 2, 2026 | 117 | 15 |
| May 5, 2026 | 115 | 8 |
Earlier 2026 draws (January to April) had cut-offs of 115 to 121 with 7 to 14 invitations each. Source: BC PNP invitation rounds as reported by CIC News and immigration.ca. Besides score, B.C. may rank candidates by region, community size, start-up versus purchase, and priority sectors.
BC PNP Base Category: frequently asked questions
Your net worth is everything owned by you, your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children, minus all debts such as mortgages and personal loans. Assets can include bank accounts, term deposits, real estate, investments, business interests and pensions. Future gifts or inheritances don’t count.
If you are invited, a BC PNP-authorized accounting firm must verify your net worth and where it came from.
Not for the minimum. Your $200,000 minimum personal investment must come from your own funds, and you must document its source. You can use a partner’s money or bank financing for amounts above the minimum.
Yes, if you actively managed a business you owned 100% for at least 3 of the last 5 years. That 100% can be shared between you, your spouse and your dependent children.
It can. Owner-manager experience counts if you held at least 10% of the company and were personally involved in day-to-day operations and decision-making. Simply attending shareholder meetings is not enough.
No. Investments made before your invitation aren’t eligible, and the BC PNP strongly discourages any investment or commitment before you sign a performance agreement and get a work permit. If you plan to buy, name the target business in your registration but don’t close the deal yet.
Yes. You must live within 50 km of your business, manage it day to day and be physically present in B.C. at least 75% of the time you are on your work permit. You must also be in Canada when you submit your final report and stay until a decision is made.
If you claim language points, upload valid results with your registration. If you don’t, you can provide results showing at least CLB 4 with your final report.
Qualified registrations stay in the pool for 6 months. If you are not invited, you can strengthen your business concept, research the market further or improve your adaptability factors, then submit a new registration. An invitation is never guaranteed.
Is the BC PNP Base Category right for you?
The Base Category suits experienced owners and senior managers with at least $600,000 in net worth who want to run a business in B.C. and settle there for good. It rewards careful planning: a realistic business concept, a smart location and well-documented funds.
Still comparing options? See our BC PNP Regional stream guide for smaller communities, the BC PNP overview, the C11 entrepreneur work permit, the Intra-Company Transfer program, our guide to buying a business in Canada, and all provincial nominee programs.
