Provincial Nominee Program

• PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Base & Regional Streams

  There are a few key differences between the Regional Stream and the Base Stream. They include the following:

  1. The Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Stream is for entrepreneurs that are interested in starting a business that is not one of the identified sectors of the Regional Stream.
  2. The Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Stream provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to purchase an existing business. The Regional Stream does not.
  3. The net worth and investment threshold for the Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Stream is higher than the Regional Stream. The criteria for the eligibility for the Entrepreneur Immigration Programs can be found here.

  If you are interested in the finding out how you can utilize the PNP Entrepreneur Immigration - Base Stream in Vernon and not the Regional Stream please email us at ecdev@vernon.ca. Please include the wording “Base PNP” in the subject line.

• PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Strategic Stream

  This stream is for foreign corporations who have identified strategic investment opportunities in B.C. to establish operations that are integral to the growth and expansion of their core business, and enables them to permanently transfer key staff with the corporate knowledge and expertise to B.C. Allowing the foreign corporation to apply for provincial nomination to support the permanent residence of up to five of its current senior employees that will actively manage the B.C. operation.

Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Stream

• Residential Building Construction

  Residential Building Construction

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction or remodelling and renovation of single-family and multi-family residential buildings. Included in this industry group are residential housing general contractors, operative builders and remodellers of residential structures, residential project construction management firms, and residential design-build firms.

• Non-Residential Building Construction

  Non-Residential Building Construction

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction (including new work, additions and major alterations) of industrial, commercial and institutional buildings. This industry group includes non-residential general contractors, non-residential operative builders, non-residential design-build firms, and non-residential construction management firms.

• Grain and Oilseed Milling

  Grain and Oilseed Milling

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in milling grains and oilseeds; refining and blending fats and oils; and making breakfast cereal products.

• Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing

  Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing frozen fruits and vegetables; frozen entrées and side dishes of several ingredients, except seafood; and fruits and vegetables preserved by pickling, canning, dehydrating and similar processes.

• Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing

  Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing baked goods. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing bakery products, for retail sale, but not for immediate consumption, are included.

• Furniture Stores

  Furniture Stores

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new household and office furniture. These establishments may also retail major appliances, home electronics, home furnishings and floor coverings, and may provide interior decorating services.

• Clothing Stores

  Clothing Stores

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new, ready-to-wear clothing.

• Sporting Goods, Hobby and Musical Instrument Stores

  Sporting Goods, Hobby and Musical Instrument Stores

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sporting goods, games and toys, and musical instruments.

• Full-Service Restaurants and Limited-Service Eating Places

  Full-Service Restaurants and Limited-Service Eating Places

  This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated and pay after eating, or who order or select items at a counter, food bar or cafeteria line (or order by telephone) and pay before eating. This industry group includes drinking places that primarily serve food.

How to Apply

• Step One: Ensure eligibility

  We ask that potential applicants ensure they are eligible to participate in the Regional Stream program. The criteria is as follows:

  • Must be a new business start-up aligned with the priorities of the City of Vernon
  • Minimum of $100,000 eligible personal investment in the new business
  • Minimum personal net worth of $300,000
  • Minimum of 51% ownership
  • Minimum of 1 new job created for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident 
  • Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 
  • Exploratory community visit*

  *Please note for those interested in pursuing the Regional Stream that exploratory visits to Vernon are by invitation only. All costs associated with exploratory visits are to be covered by the applicant.

• Step Two: Educate yourself on Vernon

  We want to ensure that our community is the right fit for your business and your family. We ask that you please educate yourself on Vernon prior to submitting a site visit request application. There are several resources that can assist you in researching our community including:

  1. Moving to Vernon – This website was created to provide a variety of information to potential new residents. This includes information on housing, education, health, working, recreation, culture, shopping and more.
  2. Tourism Vernon – This website is geared towards those that are looking to visit the area. The website highlights our attractions, amenities and our active outdoor lifestyle.
  3. Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce – The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is a key partner a considered the voice of business in the North Okanagan.
  4. Downtown Vernon Association –  Established in 1967, the Downtown Vernon Association is the business organization that represents over 550 members in Downtown Vernon.
  5. Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society - Since 1989 VDICSS has offered many services for newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and naturalized citizens, helping with settlement and integration into Canada and Vernon, British Columbia.
• Step Three: Submit your application

  Due to the volume of applications, we are asking that applicants send us the Executive Summary portion of their Business Plan for their proposed business. Our committee will review these and those that are successful will be asked to submit their full Business Plan for review. By submitting an application and Executive Summary, you are providing consent to share your information with the committee members.

  If you have ensured eligibility, educated yourself on Vernon and prepared your Executive Summary as part of your overall Business Plan, you can now submit an application. Since the Regional Pilot Program was announced in December 2018, Vernon has experienced significant interest from entrepreneurs across the globe. We have a team that reviews applications as time permits. Unfortunately, not everyone will be invited to submit a Business Plan or invited for a site visit. All costs associated with the site visit are at the expense of the applicant. It should be noted that a site visit does not guarantee approval into the Regional Stream. 

  PNP ENTREPRENEUR IMMIGRATION REGIONAL PILOT - Vernon Application Form