The B.C. Strategic Projects Provincial Nominee Program
The Strategic Projects PNP category assists foreign-controlled companies or individuals who make a minimum investment of CAD$500,000 to establish an eligible business in B.C., and bring in foreign key managerial, professional or technical staff.
You can obtain work permits and permanent residence for up to five key staff members and their families, provided that you create at least three jobs for Canadians for each employee. The employees do not need to invest any money.
Combined with all the other advantages of a PNP over traditional immigration routes, this flexibility makes the Strategic Projects PNP an extremely attractive option for multi-national companies, as well as business owners and managers.
What is an "Eligible Business"?
Who Can Apply?
Companies applying in this category will be required to:
- Make a minimum equity investment of CAD$500,000.
- Create at least three jobs for Canadians or permanent residents in B.C. for each nominee applicant put forward by the company.
- Demonstrate a record of good business practices and successful business operations outside of Canada that are relevant to the proposed business.
- Establish or purchase and expand an eligible business anywhere in B.C.
- Incorporate a Canadian subsidiary or register an extra-provincial company in B.C. to operate the proposed business.
- Demonstrate that the nominee applicants are qualified senior personnel who are essential to establishing or expanding and operating the proposed business in B.C.
- Sign a performance agreement with the Province of British Columbia.
How Do You Apply?
Becoming a permanent resident under this program starts with submitting a preliminary application to the B.C. government. After considering your background and the economic benefits to B.C. of your business proposal, the government will either approve or reject your preliminary application.
If approved, you will be invited to submit a formal application and business plan. You and your key staff members will usually be required to attend an interview with the B.C. PNP. Once your formal application has been approved in principle, you must enter into a performance agreement with the province, setting out the business to be created or expanded, the investment details, jobs to be created, and timelines.
After PNP approval, we can then apply for work permits for you and all of your key staff members. Spouses or common-law partners also qualify for work permits, and nominees' school-aged children are eligible for study permits, and education in public schools.
Once you have fulfilled the terms of your performance agreement, you and your key staff will be eligible to apply for permanent residence, and have your applications fast tracked.
What is an "Eligible Business"?
An "eligible business" must have the potential to create significant economic benefits to British Columbia. Some of the preferred areas are:
- manufacturing, processing or primary resource activity
- increasing exports of goods or services
- destination tourism
- R&D or technology commercialization
- developing innovative and creative approaches to traditional businesses
- transferring technology, skills and specialized know-how to the province
- servicing an underserved local or regional market
The B.C. PNP will give special priority to business proposals that contribute to
- expanding business with the Asia Pacific region
- utilizing wood infected by the mountain pine beetle
- investment into communities affected by mountain pine beetle damage
- business partnerships with the province's First Nations (aboriginal) people
- emerging technology industries: alternative energy, clean technologies, information technology, new media and life sciences
How We Can Help You
The Strategic Projects PNP is one of the best ways to establish a company in B.C. and ensure you have the key staff members that you need. Because it allows you to bring in up to five key employees, this program offers international businesses and sole proprietors a highly flexible tool for establishing a business in Canada.
Because business practices and documents are different in each country, it can sometimes be challenging to prove you have the required skills to establish a business in British Columbia. At Lowe & Company, we have the business and legal expertise to help you determine the best way to prove your qualifications, and then clearly present your case to the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program.
We will help you explore different business opportunities, depending on your background and interests, to find one which would be suitable for you. We can introduce you to accountants, realtors, bankers and other professionals who would be helpful in conducting market research, finding locations, preparing business plans, and establishing your business in British Columbia.
Our experienced legal team can also help you with incorporating a company, purchasing a business, preparing partnership agreements, leasing or purchasing properties, and other legal transactions.
We have been bringing business immigrants to Canada since 1990. Let us help you plan and execute a successful immigration strategy. Book a consultation.
More information:
- B.C.'s Provincial Nominee Programs.
- B.C.'s Business Skills PNP program.
- B.C.'s Regional Business PNP link.
- human resources managers and employers
- skilled workers
Other related articles:
- Work Permits: An Overview
- Labour Market Opinions: Obtaining HRSDC Approval
- Work Permit Traps and Pitfalls
- The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Strategic Tools for American and Mexican Workers
- Beyond NAFTA: Work Permits Under Other Free Trade Agreements
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