Last updated: 19 July 2024

To be eligible for the Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, you must meet the following requirements:

• Education: Completed at least two years of full-time education resulting in a degree or diploma from an eligible Alberta post-secondary institution.
• Work Permit: Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the time you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Language Proficiency: Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 for each English skill (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), or a Niveau de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level of 7 for each French skill.
• Business Establishment: Start a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership. Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and the business must be eligible according to AAIP guidelines.

• The accepted English language tests are:
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

  The accepted French language tests are:

  • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada

  Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada

The following adaptability factors can increase your likelihood of receiving a Request to Submit a Business Application:

• Work Experience: Minimum of 6 months of work experience in managing or owning a business, or equivalent experience with a business incubator or business accelerator.
• Economic Benefit: Providing economic benefits to Alberta through job creation, involvement in key economic sectors, rural business locations, business succession, investments, developed intellectual property, or partnerships with business incubators/accelerators, venture capitalists, or angel investors.
• Age: Being between 21 and 49 years old.
• Spouse/Common-law Partner: Having a spouse or common-law partner with at least one year of continuous full-time employment in Alberta, completed at least two years of full-time study at an Alberta post-secondary institution, or having a minimum CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French.
• Alberta Relatives: Having relatives such as parents, siblings, or children who are permanent residents or Canadian citizens living in Alberta.

Your business must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• Aim to make a profit from active income through the sale of goods or services.
• Comply with federal, provincial, or municipal legal, regulatory, or licensing requirements.
• Comply with applicable trade certification requirements in Alberta.
• Maintain a physical place of business in Alberta.
• For franchises, provide evidence of support from the master franchisor.
• Own at least 34% of the business and be involved in its day-to-day management.

Businesses are ineligible if they:

• Contravene the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.
• Lack a value-added economic component (e.g., payday loans, cheque cashing).
• Are passive investments or lack active management (e.g., real estate rental, property leasing).
• Operate as real estate, insurance, or business brokerage firms.
• Are coin-operated businesses like laundromats and car washes.
• Are project-based or seasonal businesses.
• Are home-based businesses like bed and breakfasts.
• Are part of a succession plan with ownership involving a close relative or a former AAIP nominee within the past 4 years.
• Have changed ownership in the past 3 years before applying.
• Produce or sell pornography or sexually explicit products/services.

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit your EOI through the AAIP Portal. The AAIP will review and score your EOI within 30 days.
2. Submit Your Business Application Package: If invited, submit your Business Application through the AAIP Portal, including all required documents and the CAD $3,500 non-refundable fee.
3. Business Application Assessment: Your application will be assessed. If approved, you will receive a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) to sign.
4. Establish Your Business in Alberta: Move to Alberta, actively own and operate your business with at least 34% ownership for 12 months, and meet the conditions of your BPA.
5. Final Report for AAIP Nomination: Once the conditions of your BPA are met, submit a Final Report to apply for AAIP nomination for permanent residence. If approved, you will receive a nomination certificate to apply for permanent residence.

For assistance with your application, you can contact Cohen Immigration Law, a leading Canadian immigration law firm. Visit CanadaVisa.com for more information and to complete a free assessment form.