The British Columbia provincial government on 2nd July 2015 introduced an improved British Columbia provincial nominee program (BC PNP) targeting well-experienced entrepreneurs to invest and manage their businesses in British Columbia.
The applicant has to pre-register online by providing their information provided such as age, work experience, education, language proficiency and financial ability, etc. based on which they will receive a score.
This system follows the lead of recently introduced federal express entry immigration program, the highest scoring applicants will be allowed an invitation to apply (ITA), and they are required to apply for BC PNP within four months.
The process takes several stages to get a permanent residence, as the applicants are taken based on the score, so all the applicants will not receive an invitation to apply (ITA).
In addition to providing personal information applicant have to pay a non-refundable fee of $300. The program accepts only 200 applicants each month; not all registrants will get ITA.
After receiving ITAs, the person must submit an application along with a fee of $3500; the PNP office will conduct interviews and discuss the proposed business venture in British Columbia with in the four months of receiving ITA.
If the proposed business venture is accepted, BC PNP office will issue the letter of confirmation (LOC) which will enable to apply for a work permit.
The work permit shall be issued by citizenship and immigration Canada (CIC), but not by the British Columbian government. So, letter of confirmation (LOC) will not entitle a work permit. After receiving the work permit, a person must arrive at BC within 12 months from the date LOC issued.
