Strategic Projects Category

The Strategic Projects is the stream of British Columbia provincial nominee program that enables foreign companies to establish a presence in British Columbia by setting up a branch office or other operating facility.

British Columbia Strategic Projects is contained within the BC Entrepreneur stream. This is a part of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), operated by the province of British Columbia. This stream is designed to target highly successful foreign-companies who wish to establish a branch office or other operating facility in BC. After successfully operating the BC enterprise for a period of time, the staff members involved can be nominated for permanent resident status.

Interested companies must first contact BC PNP to discuss their proposal. After the initial discussion, the company must register a profile with the BC PNP. Officials will review the profile to ensure completeness and qualification before inviting the company to submit an official application.

Program Requirement

BC Strategic Projects provides an opportunity for successful foreign-controlled businesses to propose up to five key staff members for provincial nomination to establish a branch of operations in British Columbia. Both the company and the key staff members must meet program eligibility requirements.

Company Requirement

Successful applicants to this stream typically have at least 150 staff with annual revenues of at least $20,000,000 CAD. The company must also invest a minimum of $500,000 CAD in the new branch of operations in BC, and create at least three new jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each key staff member proposed. Additional eligibility requirements may be imposed depending on the nature of the company. Interested companies should contact BC PNP directly to determine their individualized requirements.

Key Staff Members Requirements

The foreign company may propose to transfer up to five key staff members vital to the establishment and operation of the new BC enterprise. These key staff members must be qualified senior personnel who are essential to the organization.

Application Procedure

The BC Strategic Projects stream accepts applications from eligible companies at any time. Interested companies must contact the BC PNP to obtain information about the program, discuss a business proposal, and register the company’s interest to apply. There is a $300 CAD registration fee. If the BC PNP determines that the company and each of the proposed key staff members are eligible for the program, they will invite the company to submit a complete application. There is a corporate application processing fee of $3,500 CAD, plus an additional $1,000 CAD for each proposed key staff member.

If the application is complete, the BC PNP will invite all proposed key staff members to attend an interview in Vancouver. Following the interview, the company’s designated signing authority will sign a performance agreement with British Columbia. Once the performance agreement is signed, the BC PNP will issue a work permit support letter for each key staff member. Key staff members will then need to use these work permit support letters to apply for a two-year temporary work permit from IRCC. If the work permit applications are approved, the key staff members will arrive in British Columbia and implement the business plan. If the company meets all of the conditions of the performance agreement, the BC PNP will issue a nomination for permanent residence for each key staff member.

After receiving a provincial nomination, the key staff members have six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Key staff members must complete and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and submit it by mail to the appropriate application centre. Paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are generally processed within 18 months.