Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is operated by the Province of BC. The PNP is a way for high-demand foreign workers and experienced entrepreneurs to gain permanent residency in British Columbia. The PNP has several programs including the new Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot Program, the PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program, the PNP Express Entry and the PNP Tech Pilot.
There are a few key differences between the Regional Pilot Program and the standard Entrepreneur Immigration Program. They include the following:
- The standard Entrepreneur Immigration Program is for entrepreneurs that are interested in starting a business that is not one of the identified sectors of the Regional Pilot Program.
- The standard Entrepreneur Immigration Program provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to purchase an existing business. The Regional Pilot Program does not.
- The net worth and investment threshold for the standard Entrepreneur Immigration Program is higher than the Regional Pilot Program. The criteria for the eligibility for the Entrepreneur Immigration Program can be found here.
If you are interested in the finding out how you can utilize the PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Program in Vernon and not the Regional Pilot Program please email us at ecdev@vernon.ca. Please include the wording “Standard PNP” in the subject line.
If you have the skills to fill high-demand occupations in BC, the Express Entry stream may be an option for you. For more information on this program click here.
Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot Program
The Province of BC launched the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot Program on March 14, 2019. The City of Vernon is an eligible community and is participating in the program.
Applications for eligible new business start-ups for Vernon MUST be from the following sectors:
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in retailing new, ready-to-wear clothing.
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
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
We ask that potential applicants ensure they are eligible to participate in the Regional Pilot Program. The criteria is as follows:
- Must be a new business from the three sectors identified above
- Minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments
- Minimum personal net worth of $300,000
- Minimum of 51% ownership
- Minimum of 1 new job created
- Exploratory community visit*
*Please note for those interested in pursuing the Regional Pilot Program that exploratory visits to Vernon are by invitation only. All costs associated with exploratory visits are to be covered by the applicant.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Downtown Vernon Association – Established in 1967, the Downtown Vernon Association is the business organization that represents over 550 members in Downtown Vernon.
- 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.
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 Pilot Program.
PNP ENTREPRENEUR IMMIGRATION REGIONAL PILOT - Vernon Application Form