Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for international graduates of Alberta post-secondary institutions who wish to start or buy a business in Alberta.
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these steps to apply:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Complete and submit an EOI through the AAIP online portal. EOIs are scored based on a points grid, and top-ranking candidates are invited to submit a Business Application.
Submit a Business Application
If invited, you have 90 days to submit a comprehensive Business Application, including your business plan and QSP evaluation report.
Sign a Business Performance Agreement (BPA)
Upon approval, sign a BPA outlining the commitments and conditions for business establishment in Alberta.
Establish Your Business
Reside in Alberta and actively own and operate the business with at least 34% ownership for a minimum of 12 months.
Start-up & Progress Reports
Submit a Start-up Report within 30 days of the issued date stated on the Business Application Approval Letter. Submit a Business Progress Report after each 6-month period from the date the Business Application Approval Letter was issued.
Final Report & Nomination
After fulfilling the BPA conditions, submit a Final Report to the AAIP for nomination.
Apply for Permanent Residence
Upon receiving a nomination certificate, apply to IRCC for permanent residence within six months.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all of the following criteria:
Education
Completed at least two years of full-time education, resulting in a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution.
Work Permit
Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the time of your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission.
Language Proficiency
Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 in each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 7 in each French language skill.
Business Establishment
Establish a new business or purchase an existing one in Alberta with a minimum of 34% ownership. The business must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.
Residency and Management
Reside in Alberta and actively manage the business on a daily basis.
Business Partners
Any business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Selection Factors
Factors That Increase Your Chances of Selection
Business Plan & Job Creation
Strong business plan with job creation in Alberta
Personal Investment
Higher personal investment into the business
Rural/Regional Location
Business located in a rural or regional Alberta community
Existing Business
Purchasing or partnering in an existing Alberta business
Residency and Education
Longer residency and education in Alberta
Language Skills
Higher language scores (above CLB 7)
Business Experience
Prior business ownership or management experience
Age
Age between 21–49 years
Family in Alberta
Close family members living in Alberta
Spouse Factors
Spouse with strong language skills and education
Required Documents
Prepare the following documents for your application:
Required Application Documents
When submitting your Business Application, you must provide:
- Business Plan: A comprehensive plan detailing the viability and potential economic benefit of the proposed business to Alberta.
- Qualified Service Provider Report: An evaluation of your business plan by a Qualified Service Provider (QSP).
- Supporting Documents: Including but not limited to:
- Proof of education (degree or diploma)
More Application Documents
When submitting your Business Application, you must provide:
- Valid PGWP
- Language test results
- Passport information pages
- Licenses, registrations, or certifications required to operate your business in Alberta
- Legal documents proving family relationships in Alberta (if applicable)
Fees, Processing Time & Refund Policy
The Business Application Fee is non-refundable. Below are the fees and expected timelines.
Processing Fees
Expression of Interest (EOI): No fee is required to submit an EOI.Business Application Fee: CAD $3,500 (non-refundable).Nomination Extension Fee: CAD $150, applicable if requesting an extension of the nomination certificate.
Processing Time
EOI Assessment: Typically reviewed and scored within 30 days of submission.Permanent Residence Application: Processing times for permanent residence applications submitted to IRCC can vary.Check the current processing times on the IRCC website.
Refund Policy
No refunds are provided for the Expression of Interest or Business Application fees once submitted.This includes cases where the application is rejected, withdrawn, or returned as incomplete.
Pathways to Success
Work Permit and PR Applications
Permanent Residence Pathway
After successfully operating the business for at least 12 months and meeting all BPA conditions, submit a Final Report to the AAIP. Upon approval, a nomination certificate is issued, which is valid for six months. Apply to IRCC for permanent residence within this six-month period.
Work Permit Pathway
Applicants must hold a valid PGWP at the time of EOI submission. If the PGWP is set to expire before fulfilling the BPA conditions, applicants can request a Work Permit Support Letter from the AAIP to apply for a work permit extension.
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