Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
British Columbia issued 21 entrepreneur immigration invitations on December 16, 2025, marking the second-largest business draw of the year with Base Stream requiring 115 points and Regional Stream accepting 107 points
On This Page You Will Find:
- Breaking details from BC's December 16 entrepreneur immigration draw
- Complete score requirements and invitation numbers for both streams
- Your step-by-step guide to qualifying for BC's entrepreneur programs
- How BC's 2025 allocation changes affect your application timeline
- Regional opportunities with lower score requirements in smaller communities
Summary:
British Columbia just issued 21 new invitations to entrepreneurs seeking provincial nomination, marking the second-largest entrepreneur draw of 2025. If you're planning to start or buy a business in BC, this latest selection round reveals crucial insights about current competition levels and your chances of success. The Base Stream required 115 points while the Regional Stream accepted candidates with just 107 points—an 8-point advantage for those willing to establish businesses in smaller communities. With BC recovering 77% of its 2024 nomination allocation after successful lobbying efforts, opportunities are expanding for qualified entrepreneurs ready to make their move.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- BC issued 21 entrepreneur invitations on December 16, with Base Stream requiring 115 points and Regional Stream needing 107 points
- This marks BC's second-largest entrepreneur draw of 2025, signaling increased opportunities
- Regional Stream offers 8-point advantage for businesses in participating smaller communities
- BC has recovered 77% of its 2024 nomination spaces (6,214 total) after federal cuts, creating more opportunities
- Both streams require creating at least one full-time job for Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Maria Santos refreshed her BC PNP account for the third time that morning, her coffee growing cold as she waited for draw results. As an experienced restaurant manager from Mexico with plans to open an authentic taqueria in Vernon, she knew this December draw could change everything for her family's Canadian dream.
On December 16, 2025, Maria and 20 other entrepreneurs received the news they'd been hoping for—invitations to apply for British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program. This latest selection round proves that BC continues prioritizing business-minded immigrants, even as federal immigration policies tighten across Canada.
What Happened in BC's Latest Entrepreneur Draw
The December 16 draw targeted candidates through both of BC's Entrepreneur Immigration streams, with the majority of invitations flowing through the Base Stream as has become the pattern throughout 2025.
Here's exactly what entrepreneurs faced in this selection round:
EI Base Stream: 17 invitations issued with a minimum score of 115 points EI Regional Stream: Fewer than 5 invitations issued with a minimum score of 107 points
The 8-point difference between streams highlights a key opportunity many entrepreneurs overlook. If you're willing to establish your business in communities like Vernon, Penticton, or Campbell River, you'll face significantly less competition than those targeting Vancouver or Victoria.
This draw represents both the province's second-largest Entrepreneur Immigration selection of 2025 and the EI Base Stream's second-highest invitation round this year. For context, that means competition is heating up, but opportunities remain strong for well-prepared candidates.
Understanding BC's Two Entrepreneur Pathways
The confusion many applicants face isn't about meeting basic requirements—it's about choosing the right stream for their situation. Here's what you need to know about each option:
EI Base Stream: Maximum Flexibility, Higher Competition
The Base Stream allows you to start a new business or purchase an existing one anywhere in British Columbia. This flexibility comes with a price: you'll need at least 115 points and face competition from entrepreneurs targeting prime locations like Vancouver's thriving tech corridor or Victoria's tourism industry.
Most successful Base Stream candidates bring substantial business experience, significant investment capital, and detailed business plans that demonstrate job creation potential beyond the minimum requirement.
EI Regional Stream: Strategic Advantage for Lower Scores
The Regional Stream requires you to establish a new business (not purchase existing ones) in participating smaller communities, but offers a crucial 10-point minimum score advantage. With December's draw requiring just 107 points, this pathway provides a realistic option for entrepreneurs who might struggle to reach Base Stream thresholds.
The participating communities span six development regions, each offering unique advantages:
Cariboo Region: Mackenzie and Quesnel offer opportunities in forestry, mining support services, and eco-tourism ventures.
Kootenay Region: Six communities including Castlegar, Kimberley, and Nelson provide access to outdoor recreation markets and resource-based industries.
Thompson-Okanagan: Penticton, Salmon Arm, and Vernon sit in BC's wine country, perfect for agri-tourism, food processing, and hospitality businesses.
Vancouver Island/Coast: Campbell River, Comox, Mount Waddington, and Powell River offer coastal lifestyle businesses and marine industry opportunities.
Northeast: Fort St. John serves as a hub for energy sector services and northern BC commerce.
Nechako: Bulkley-Nechako region provides access to agricultural and resource extraction support businesses.
The Job Creation Requirement That Trips Up Most Applicants
Both streams require you to create at least one full-time equivalent job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This sounds straightforward until you realize the devil lurks in the details.
The position must be full-time (minimum 30 hours per week), permanent, and offer wages meeting or exceeding local standards for the occupation. You can't simply hire a family member or create a token position—BC immigration officers scrutinize job creation claims carefully during the application review process.
Smart entrepreneurs plan their job creation strategy before submitting their initial registration. Consider which roles your business genuinely needs, research local wage expectations, and document how these positions contribute to your business's success and the local economy.
How BC's 2025 Allocation Recovery Affects Your Timeline
British Columbia started 2025 with devastating news—federal cuts slashed their nomination allocation from 8,000 to just 4,000 spaces. Many entrepreneurs assumed their chances had evaporated overnight.
But BC fought back. Through persistent lobbying efforts, the province secured two allocation increases:
- October 2: Additional 1,254 nominations
- December 15: Extra 960 nomination slots
This brings BC's total 2025 allocation to 6,214 spaces—77% of their 2024 levels. More importantly for entrepreneurs, BC intends to use every single nomination before year-end, creating urgency for qualified candidates to submit strong applications now.
BC's 2025 Draw Pattern Reveals Strategic Insights
Over 2025's 19 provincial draws, BC has issued approximately 1,110 total invitations across both major categories. The breakdown reveals telling patterns:
Skills Immigration: 978 invitations across 3 draws (high volume, few draws) Entrepreneur Immigration: Up to 132 invitations across 16 draws (lower volume, frequent draws)
Within entrepreneur streams:
- Base Stream: Up to 97 invitations
- Regional Stream: Up to 35 invitations
These numbers suggest BC maintains consistent entrepreneur selection frequency while managing limited nomination spaces carefully. For applicants, this means regular opportunities throughout the year rather than feast-or-famine cycles.
Your Next Steps Toward BC Entrepreneur Success
If you're serious about BC's entrepreneur programs, start by honestly assessing which stream aligns with your business goals and competitive position. The 8-point Regional Stream advantage could make the difference between invitation and disappointment, especially if your business concept works well in smaller communities.
Research your target communities thoroughly. Visit if possible, connect with local business associations, and understand regional economic priorities. Immigration officers favor applicants who demonstrate genuine commitment to their chosen locations rather than viewing them as stepping stones to larger centers.
Prepare your business plan with job creation front and center. Document exactly how you'll create meaningful employment, what wages you'll offer, and how these positions support both your business model and local economic development.
The Bottom Line for Aspiring BC Entrepreneurs
BC's December 16 draw proves the province remains committed to attracting entrepreneurial talent despite federal immigration pressures. With 21 invitations issued and score requirements holding steady, qualified candidates have realistic pathways to provincial nomination.
The choice between Base and Regional streams often determines success or failure. If you can build a thriving business in communities like Vernon or Campbell River while enjoying lower competition and scoring advantages, the Regional Stream offers compelling benefits over fighting for limited Base Stream spots in major centers.
Time remains your most valuable asset. BC intends to exhaust its 6,214 nomination allocation before year-end, and 2026 federal policies remain uncertain. Entrepreneurs with solid business plans, adequate investment capital, and flexibility about location should act decisively while opportunities remain abundant.
Your Canadian business dream doesn't require a Vancouver address—sometimes the path to success runs through smaller communities where your entrepreneurial vision can flourish with less competition and stronger community support.
