BC PNP – Employer Physical Presence for Remote Job

[Capycap]

I work 100% remotely as a software engineer and live in Vancouver. My employer is a remote-first company, incorporated in BC and holding a Vancouver municipal business license. However, their registered BC address is a virtual office/mailbox, not a place where employees work daily.

The company allows employees to use coworking spaces, but there is no dedicated or permanent office in Vancouver. My employment contract states that I work from my home office.

BC PNP mentions that employers must have an ongoing fixed place of business in BC where employees can physically report to work, and I’m not sure how this is interpreted for remote-first companies.

Is a virtual office + optional coworking access generally acceptable for BC PNP, or is this considered risky?

 

[scylla]

I work 100% remotely as a software engineer and live in Vancouver. My employer is a remote-first company, incorporated in BC and holding a Vancouver municipal business license. However, their registered BC address is a virtual office/mailbox, not a place where employees work daily.

The company allows employees to use coworking spaces, but there is no dedicated or permanent office in Vancouver. My employment contract states that I work from my home office.

BC PNP mentions that employers must have an ongoing fixed place of business in BC where employees can physically report to work, and I’m not sure how this is interpreted for remote-first companies.

Is a virtual office + optional coworking access generally acceptable for BC PNP, or is this considered risky?

Speak with an immigration lawyer before you apply. Your employer may not meet the requirements of the program.

 

[beigebeanie]

Hey! wonder if you have any updates on this, I'm also in a similar position where the company is registered in BC but without a physical office. We have a coworking space that we book on demand

 

[gelgoals]

In my humble and unsolicited opinion, I believe that you should "live and work" in the city you are claiming points for. As long as you have sufficient evidence that your work is supported by your company(In my case I asked my manager and HR to provide me a letter of accommodation that allowed me to relocate and claim points for area 3. I have submitted my bc pnp application but have not get any status update yet. Hoping that this point is not really an issue otherwise all our efforts relocating here in Area 3 would be futile.

 

[nskatp]

Hi @Capycap,
I wanted to follow up and see if you were able to get any clarity on your situation. I’m currently in a very similar position.
I work for an Employer of Record (EOR) with a remote-first policy. The company is incorporated in BC, holds a Vancouver municipal business license, and is in good standing with WorkSafeBC. I’m based in Victoria, and my employment contract specifies my home as my primary workplace, with optional coworking access (though I haven’t really used that).
I did consult with an immigration lawyer, but she didn’t have much experience with cases like this. Her general view was that the situation might have low potential under BC PNP, mainly due to the “fixed place of business” requirement.
With the province now shifting toward a higher economic impact focus, I’m trying to understand whether BC PNP is still a feasible path under this kind of setup.
Would really appreciate hearing if you found any additional insights or guidance.
Thanks!