British Columbia PNP Entrepreneur Draw on January 13, 2026 Invites 7 Candidates

British Columbia has started 2026 with a focused draw under its business immigration pathway. On January 13, 2026, the province conducted a draw under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, inviting 7 candidates through the Base Category of the Entrepreneur Immigration Stream. The minimum score required in this round was 115 points, matching the cut-off used in the previous entrepreneur draw held on December 16, 2025.

This invitation round marks the first BC PNP entrepreneur draw of 2026, reinforcing British Columbia’s continued emphasis on attracting experienced entrepreneurs who can establish and operate businesses in urban centres across the province.

What the BC PNP Entrepreneur Base Category targets

The Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category is designed for foreign nationals with business ownership or senior management experience who intend to actively manage a business in British Columbia. Successful applicants are expected to contribute to local economic development by creating jobs, introducing new investment, and supporting long-term growth.

Unlike skills-based immigration streams, entrepreneur candidates are assessed on factors such as:

• Business and management experience
• Personal net worth and investment capacity
• Business concept viability
• Job creation potential
• Economic benefit to the province

A minimum score of 115 indicates that competition in the entrepreneur pool remains steady, particularly for candidates targeting metropolitan areas.

How This Draw Compares With Recent British Columbia PNP Activity

The January 13 draw mirrors the minimum score of the previous entrepreneur draw, suggesting stable selection thresholds entering the new year. In 2025, British Columbia issued up to 1,110 invitations across all BC PNP streams, including 132 invitations to entrepreneur candidates.

This selective approach reflects the province’s broader immigration strategy, which prioritizes quality over volume in business immigration. Entrepreneur draws remain small but targeted, ensuring that approved projects align with regional economic priorities.

Skills Immigration Draws Continue Alongside Entrepreneur Invitations

While entrepreneur draws attract significant attention, BC PNP continues to issue much larger invitations through its Skills Immigration categories. Recent high economic impact draws invited hundreds of candidates with strong wage levels, job offers in NOC TEER 0 to 3, or competitive registration scores.

These parallel streams allow British Columbia to address both workforce shortages and investment-driven growth without overextending provincial resources.

Why Entrepreneur Immigration Remains Important to British Columbia

Entrepreneur immigration plays a unique role in the provincial economy. Business nominees often bring capital, international networks, and sector-specific expertise. In urban areas, these businesses support service expansion, innovation, and employment stability.

At the same time, BC PNP maintains strict performance requirements. Entrepreneurs must meet business milestones before receiving a provincial nomination, ensuring accountability and long-term commitment.

What Prospective Entrepreneur Candidates Should Know

Candidates interested in future draws should focus on strengthening their business proposals and ensuring alignment with provincial economic needs. Scores are influenced by multiple factors, and even small improvements can affect ranking in a competitive pool.

As British Columbia continues issuing targeted entrepreneur draws in 2026, candidates with realistic investment plans and strong management experience will remain best positioned.
Thinking about starting a business in British Columbia? Stay updated on BC PNP entrepreneur draws, score trends, and eligibility changes. Follow Canada Immigration News for timely updates and expert insights that help business candidates plan their provincial nomination strategy with confidence.