A new provincial pilot program will support immigrants looking to start a business outside of BC’s urban centres.
Minister of Jobs Bruce Ralston announced the launch of the Provincial Nominee Program’s Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot today.
The new program aims to counter the preference for city living by attracting entrepreneurs from around the world to establish businesses in regional communities.
More than 30 communities across the province will be eligible to enroll in the program.
In order to qualify for the pilot, communities must be located more than 30 kms from a municipality with a population above 75 thousand.
Communities must also identify three priority development sectors.
By those standards, Terrace, Prince George, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Burns Lake, and Tumbler Ridge all qualify in the north, among others.
Business owners must maintain a 51 percent ownership stake in the business, live in the community, and create at least one job, among other financial requirements.
152 invitations to join the program were issued in 2018.
Hit this link to find out complete details.
And this link to find a complete list of qualified communities.
