A Guide to Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Immigrate to Alberta, Canada as a foreign graduate entrepreneur through Alberta’s AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

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The Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream under the AAIP is a Canada investment visa program that nominates talented and eligible foreign-educated graduates from outside Canada. It can help to obtain Canada PR by investment when they build start-up enterprises and creative businesses. The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and approved designated agencies have teamed up to create the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.

Foreign graduates applying under the Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream must work with a designated agency. This guide will explain the entire process step by step.

AAIP Foreign International Graduate Stream

Eligibility Requirements

The AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream’s eligibility requirements are as follows:

Work Experience

Applicants must possess a minimum of 6 months of experience as a business owner or manager.

Education

Applicants must possess a College or University degree obtained from an education institution outside Canada. This degree must be equivalent to a Canadian one and should have been acquired within the last ten years.

Minimum Investment

The applicant must invest a minimum of $100,000 CAD if the business is located in an urban center.
This requirement decreases to $50,000 CAD if the business is not in an urban center.
Candidates will receive additional points towards their application if they invest higher amounts.

Business Ownership Amount

Applicants must maintain a business ownership share of 34% or higher if it is located in an urban center. This requirement increases to 51% for businesses located outside Edmonton and Calgary.

Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate their language proficiency in English or French by scoring CLB level 5 or higher in a recognized language test.

Pitch Deck

Applicants must create a 10-minute slideshow presentation that discusses the business and includes relevant information for investors.

Business Plan

Applicants must provide a comprehensive business plan containing financial projections.

Letter of Recommendation

Applicants must possess a valid Letter of Recommendation issued from a designated agency approved by AAIP.

Settlement Funds

Applicants must demonstrate they possess enough funds to settle in the province with their family. The minimum amounts are described here.

Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Application Process

The application process for the Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is as follows:

Stage 1

Research & Preparation
Registration
Application

Stage 2

Work Permit Before Arriving in Alberta
Nomination
Permanent Residence

Stage One

1. Research & Preparation

Foreign graduates must first assess if they meet the eligibility requirements mentioned above.

2. Registration

Applicants can then apply for an Expression of Interest (EOI) online using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal. If the candidate meets the eligibility requirements described above, they will be placed in the EOI pool. The AAIP then selects candidates with the highest score and invites them to submit a Business Application.

3. Application

Candidates will then have 90 days to complete this application, pay a $3,500 CAD fee, and provide all supporting documents. This process will be completed online at the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal.
Applicants will also need to provide a Business Plan Evaluation Report from a Designated Agency approved by AAIP. AAIP may also ask candidates to provide a Qualified Service Provider Report from a Qualified Service Provider in the province.
The AAIP will then review the application before making a decision. They may ask the applicant for additional information. If the AAIP approves of the application, they will present the applicant with a Business Performance Agreement that details the terms and conditions they must meet after establishing or purchasing their business.
The candidate must sign this agreement and send a scanned copy within fourteen days. The AAIP will then provide them with a Business Application Approval Letter and Letter of Support.
Foreign graduates can use the Letter of Support to apply for a two-year work permit. This permit will allow them to come to Alberta and set up their business.

Stage Two

4. Establishing and Operating the Business

Foreign graduates must enter Alberta once they receive their work permit. They are also required to submit an Arrival Report within thirty days of arriving in the province. They must then operate their business in accordance with the Business Performance Agreement and submit a Business Progress Report after every six months.

If the entrepreneur’s work permit is going to expire during this period, they can contact AAIP and apply for a Letter of Support. They can then use this letter to apply for a work permit extension through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

5. Nomination

Once the candidate has satisfied the terms and conditions in their Business Performance Agreement, they can apply for a permanent resident nomination via the AAIP by submitting a Final Report for Nomination with relevant supporting documents.

If the AAIP approves of the Final Report, they will issue a nomination certificate. Applicants can then use this certificate to apply for permanent resident status with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

6. Permanent Residency

If candidates are successful, IRCC will issue their new permanent resident status in Canada.

How ELAAR can help you?

Prospective entrepreneurs and business people who wish to apply for the Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream should get in touch with us. Our team of Regulated Immigration Consultants is familiar with this program and can help optimize your application and improve your chances of receiving a provincial nomination. Start your entrepreneurial journey in Alberta with Elaar Immigration.