BC PNP APPLICATION PROCESS Business Skills, Fast-Track

Overview

The BC PNP is a provincial immigration program which is operated in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The specific program we will describe below is known as the “Business Skills” program and is suitable for investment in the GVRD or Abbotsford. Applicants can be fast-tracked if a client is willing to deposit $125,000 interest free with the province after nomination. The deposit is refundable in full when the client satisfies the terms of the PNP program.

Compared to the Federal Investor Program, the BC PNP business programs typically offer a number of advantages, including early entry in Canada on a work permit, control over investor dollars and flexible qualification criteria.


The general requirements of the program include:

• Confirmation of a personal net worth of at least $800,000.00
• An minimum investment in a BC business of $400,000.00 (existing business or start-up)
• The investment must create three full time jobs in the business
• You must actively participate in the management of the business
• You must demonstrate enough unencumbered funds to make the investment
• You must own at least 33.3% of the voting and non-redeemable shares in the business

The Investment

The general guidelines regarding the $400,000 investment are flexible, but must still conform to a number of rules, including:

• A maximum of $267,000 of the $400,000 investment (2/3) can be attributed to the purchase of shares. You may purchase shares for more than this amount but will only get credit for $267,000.
• Investments in real-property are generally not credited except for in unique situation
• The balance of the investment may be used for items such as equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, patents, promotion/marketing, professional/start-up fees and start-up wage
• The business investment has to be reasonable and make good commercial sense

A Regional Program exists for clients wishing to invest outside of the GVRD or Abbotsford, but still in BC. The requirements under the Regional Program are half of the Business Skills program, i.e., $400,000 net worth and a $200,000 investment and at least one full-time job created.

Timeline

The following information is for reference only and represents our best estimate as to how a file could be processed. The information in this memorandum is based on current processing times which are based on past performance only. There are many factors which can affect processing timelines including, but not limited to, visa office resources, file or information abnormalities, change in immigration or PNP policies and delays in receiving medical or police background checks.

These estimates also rely on the Applicant’s ability to respond to our requests for information and documents in a timely fashion.

We will make best efforts ensure the expeditious processing of this application.

	Activity	Estimated Due Date	Responsibility
1.	Client reviews and funds retainer	X	Client
2.	LR contacts PNP, re: processing parameters	X+1 DAY	LR
3.	LR prepares preliminary application	X+10	LR, Client
4.	Client signs and returns preliminary application to LR	X+15	Client
5.	LR files preliminary application	X+16	LR
6.	PNP reviews and approves preliminary application, invites Client to file formal application	X+50	PNP
7.	LR prepares formal application	X+70	LR, Client
8.	Client reviews, signs and returns the formal application to LR	X+80	Client
9.	LR files the formal application	X+81	LR
10.	PNP reviews formal application and issues Client an invitation letter for an interview, CIC is copied on that letter	X+ 140	PNP
11.	LR prepares a visitor visa application for Client	X+145	LR
12.	Client files visitor visa application for PNP interview	X+150	Client
13.	CIC issues visitor visa, Client travels to Canada for interview	X+165	CIC
14.	Client attends BC PNP interview	X+170	Client, PNP
15.	PNP Approves Client’s formal application	X+195	PNP
16.	LR negotiates Performance Agreement, Deposit Agreement with PNP	X+205	LR, PNP
17.	Client signs Performance Agreement and Deposit Agreement, returns to LR – LR files at PNP	X+206	Client
18.	PNP issues letter in support of Client’s work permit application	X+210	PNP
19.	LR prepares Client’s work permit application	X+215	LR
20.	Client signs and files Work Permit Application	X+220	Client
21.	CIC issues medical exam request to Client	X+265	CIC
22.	Client and family undergo medical exams	X+270	Client
23.	CIC Approves Client’s work permit application	X+300	CIC
24.	Client travels to Canada with family, receives work permits, establishes residential address, opens bank account	X+300	Client
25.	Client funds deposit agreement ($125,000)	X+310	Client, LR, PNP
26.	LR files Client PNP Arrival Report	X+310	Client, LR, PNP
27.	BC PNP issues nomination certificate	X+320	PNP
28.	LR finalizes Client PR application, files at Buffalo or applicant's home country (to be determined)	X+330	LR, Client
29.	CIC issues PR medical request to Client	X+365	CIC
30.	CIC issues PR visas to Client	X+600	CIC
31.	W establishes business, funds investment	X+330 to X+1060	Client
32.	LR files progress reports to BC PNP	X+420 X+600 X+780 X+1060	LR, Client
33.	PNP approves final progress report, returns deposit	X+1100	PNP