British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Business
Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does it cost anything to submit a preliminary application form?
-
Do I need to hire an “authorized” third-party
representative?
- Who qualifies as an “authorized” third-party
representative?
- How is “active management” defined?
- Must submitted formal applications include a business
plan?
- When does the applicant actually make their
investment?
- What happens if the application for permanent
residence is not approved by the Federal Government?
- Will a Work Permit be issued for the period while the
application for permanent residence is being processed?
- What role will communities play in welcoming new
immigrants and what organizations in the communities will lead the
local process?
- Will communities be pre-screened and be prepared to
welcome new immigrants?
- Will an interpreter be allowed in the formal
interview? Where does the formal interview take place?
-
Will the applicant’s primary contact for applications
to the BC PNP be the Business Immigration Office (province of
British Columbia), or Citizenship and Immigration Canada?
Does it cost anything to submit a preliminary application form?
No, the Business Immigration Office does not charge any fees to submit a
preliminary application form.
Do I need to hire an “authorized” third-party representative?
No, you are not required to hire a third-party representative. Please
note that the Business Immigration Office will only communicate with
applicants and/or their authorized third-party representative(s).
Who qualifies as an “authorized” third-party
representative?
The Province of British Columbia supports new federal regulations
requiring all paid immigration representatives to meet the definition of
“authorized representative”. As such, the BC PNP has adopted the policy
that an authorized representative must be registered with the
Canadian Society of
Immigration Consultants or be a member of a Canadian provincial or
territorial law society. The Business Immigration Office will only
communicate with applicants and/or their authorized third-party
representative(s).
How is “active management” defined?
To be considered active in business in British Columbia, a BC PNP
Nominee Candidate should be a director of the company with a meaningful
managerial role and cheque signing authority. They should also be
involved in day-to-day and major business decisions of that company
such as developing a marketing plan, purchasing machinery, meeting major
customers, negotiation of financing and hiring of key staff and others.
Must submitted formal applications include a business
plan?
Yes. For the BC PNP Business Categories, applicants are to establish new
businesses or expand existing businesses very soon after their arrival
in British Columbia. Submitting a business plan is an effective way to
put forward the business concept, the study and research undertaken, the
resources available, the processes and other important factors in a
structured way to prove that the business is feasible and the applicant
is ready. A sound business plan that the applicant has been involved in
developing is a good indication of the likelihood of the business’s
success.
When does the applicant actually make their
investment?
An important part of the BC PNP process is the applicant’s entering into
a Performance Agreement with the province, based on their submitted
business plan, outlining the timelines for the investment and milestones
that will be established. When the applicant enters British Columbia
with a Work Permit, the applicant is expected to fulfill the commitments
outlined in their Performance Agreement and make their investment
accordingly.
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What happens if the application for permanent
residence is not approved by the Federal Government?
If the application for permanent residence is refused for reasons of
medical inadmissibility, security or criminality concerns, fraudulent
documents or an inability to establish the legal source of funds, the
provincial government would not be likely in a position to advocate for
another result and would support the federal decision. If the
application is refused for reasons other than the above, the province
will look at the merits of the case and may be able to advocate on the
applicant’s behalf.
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Will a Work Permit be issued for the period while the
application for permanent residence is being processed?
The BC PNP Business Categories assist qualified applicants in obtaining
Work Permits valid for 2 years for themselves and their dependents. When
the BC PNP officer can verify that the terms and conditions of the
Performance Agreement have been complied with, the province will make a
decision to nominate the applicant to be a BC Provincial Nominee.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada will then expeditiously process the
Provincial Nominee's permanent residence application. Once the
applicant is nominated, the BC PNP can request an extension of the
Work Permit while the applicant awaits finalization of the permanent
residence application.
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What role will communities play in welcoming new
immigrants and what organizations in the communities will lead the local
process?
This depends on the communities and whether they want to take an active
role in the program. If the BC PNP Business Categories applicants have
identified a community that they would like to invest and live in, they
are encouraged to contact directly the local
Economic Development
Commissions and Chambers of Commerce. These organizations have a
mandate to attract business activity in the various regions of British
Columbia. They are good sources of information.
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Will communities be pre-screened and be prepared to
welcome new immigrants?
All communities are welcome to be involved in the BC PNP. They often
participate through the marketing and promotion of their own
communities. They can also help in identifying business opportunities.
They may provide assistance to the applicant and his/her family with
respect to integration in the community. However, in view of the fact
that most communities have limited resources and many times it is the
leaders of the community and the enthusiasm of volunteers that
contribute to their efforts, new immigrants should understand that, for
the most part, they are expected to be self-sufficient.
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Will an interpreter be allowed in the formal
interview? Where does the formal interview take place?
A certified interpreter is allowed to be in the formal interview.
All formal interviews take place in the Business Immigration Office
which is located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Will the applicant’s primary contact for applications
to the BC PNP be the Business Immigration Office (province of British
Columbia), or Citizenship and Immigration Canada?
The province administers the BC PNP. The application is to be submitted
to the province. The province will issue a Nomination Certificate to
successful candidates. Citizenship and Immigration Canada, via the visa
offices, processes Work Permits and Permanent Residence applications.
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