Immigrate and Start a Business!
Contact: Invest@dtr.ca
The Province of BC launched the BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Pilot in March 2019 as a way for experienced foreign entrepreneurs to gain permanent residency in British Columbia and has extended the pilot to 2024. This PNP pilot program is focused on encouraging investment in smaller communities that are outside larger urban areas. The District of Tumbler Ridge is one of the pioneering communities in this provincial program.
The Province recognizes that each community has the best knowledge of their local business environment, they are perfectly situated to identify economic development priorities and support services that give foreign entrepreneurs a good start in their journey to building successful businesses and growing the local economy. The BC PNP Entrepreneur Regional Pilot in Tumbler Ridge is targeting immigrant entrepreneurs who are seeking opportunities to start a business in North America’s second UNESCO Global Geopark.
Tumbler Ridge has many business opportunities for entrepreneurs in the recreation, tourism and service sectors. These are “Quality of Place” opportunities that will help to make Tumbler Ridge an even more desirable place to live, invest and visit.
Applicants wishing to start a business, under the BC PNP in Tumbler Ridge MUST be from one of the following sectors:
45911 – Sporting goods retailers
541940 – Veterinary services
621310 – Offices of chiropractors
621210 – Offices of dentists
624410 – Child day-care services
7211 – Traveller accommodation
722511 – Full-service restaurants
722512 – Limited-service eating places
8121 – Personal care services
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Canada 2022 Version 1.0
Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
It is important that applicants ensure their eligibility for the program before submitting their application as only business submissions that fit within the three industry sectors indicated above will be considered. For those that are interested in starting a business in one of these three sectors in Tumbler Ridge, our process, which is subject to change, is highlighted below.
The main criteria are as follows:
- Must be a new business from one of the sectors identified above. Those wishing to purchase/ take over an existing business will not qualify under this program;
- Must have a minimum of $100,000 CAD in eligible business investments;
- Must have a minimum personal net worth of $300,000;
- Must have a minimum of 51% ownership in the business;
- Must create at least one new job in the local community; and
- Eligible applicants must be willing and able to attend an in-person exploratory meeting in Tumbler Ridge.
*Please note that explorative visits to the community under this program are by invitation only. We will not meet with third-party representatives or immigration lawyers/ consultants.
Before visiting Tumbler Ridge, applicants will typically be invited to participate in an online (Teams / Zoom or Skype) or telephone interview to minimize costs for applicants.
All costs associated with exploratory visits are to be covered by the applicant. Information regarding travel and accommodation choices can be provided during the invitation process.
Step 2: Learn more about Tumbler Ridge
Relocating to a new country is a life-changing decision and we want you to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for you and your family about the type of community and lifestyle you would like to live in.
Please familiarize yourself with our region prior to submitting a site visit request application. If you would like to connect with any of the Tumbler Ridge groups and organizations we would be happy to do an introduction email for you. https://investtumblerridge.ca/get-to-know-us/
There are considerable additional resources available to you online including:
- InvestTumblerRidge.ca This website provides are range of information relating to the local economy, growth sector opportunities, local, regional and provincial business contacts, land and property information and business start-up guidelines.
- DistrictOfTumblerRidge.ca This is the municipal government website which contains a wealth of community information.
Step 3: Prepare your Business Plan
It is a requirement of the BC PNP pilot program that a business plan is prepared and submitted together with the site visit request application.
Some resources and organizations that can be useful in this process are listed below:
Step 4: Submit an Application
Once you are ready to apply, have thoroughly familiarized yourself with Tumbler Ridge and have prepared your business plan, you can submit your application to the Tumbler Ridge Economic Development Office. Online applications are reviewed weekly.
