The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers four distinct streams for entrepreneurs aiming to establish or buy a business in Alberta. Here’s a breakdown of each stream:

1. 1. Rural Entrepreneur Stream

   • Purpose: For entrepreneurs who want to start or purchase a business in a rural Alberta community.
   • Process: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to express your intention and suitability for starting
     or buying a business in a designated rural area.
   • Eligibility Requirements
   • Work Experience:
     • Option 1: Minimum of 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager.
     • Option 2: Minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years.
   • Education:
     • Completed at least high school education equivalent to the Canadian standard.
     • Obtain an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization listed on the Immigration,
       Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
   • Language Proficiency:
     • English: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in each skill (reading, writing,
       listening, speaking).
     • French: Minimum Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 4 in each skill.
     • Accepted Tests:
       • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test
       • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Test
       • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada
       • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada
     • Test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of submitting the Expression of Interest.
   • Net Worth:
     • Minimum net worth of $300,000, either personally or combined with a spouse/common-law partner’s assets.
   • Business Investment:
     • Minimum investment of $100,000 from personal or spouse/common-law partner equity.
     • Higher investments earn more points.
   • Business Establishment:
     • For New Businesses: Must have at least 51% ownership. Partners must be Canadian Citizens or
       Permanent Residents.
     • For Business Succession: Must have 100% ownership, with a complete change in ownership and full
       control of the business.
     • The business must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.
   • Job Creation:
     • For New Businesses: Must create at least one full-time job for Canadian Citizens or Permanent
       Residents (excluding relatives) for a minimum of 6 months.
     • For Business Succession: Job creation is not required.
   • Community Support Letter:
     • Obtain a Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community.

2. 2. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

   • Purpose: For international graduates from approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who are interested in starting or buying a business in the province.
   • Process: Submit an EOI to show your intention to launch a business, leveraging your education and understanding of the local market.
   • Eligibility Requirements
   1. 1. Education:
      • Completed at least two years of full-time education leading to a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution.
   2. 2. Work Permit
      • Hold a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that is valid at the time of submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI).
   3. 3. Language Proficiency
      • English: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for each skill (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
      • French: Minimum Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 for each skill.
      • Accepted Tests:
        • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test
        • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Test
        • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada
        • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada
      • Test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of submitting your EOI.
   4. 4. Business Establishment:
      • Ownership: Must establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Alberta with a minimum of 34% ownership.
      • Business Type: The proposed business type must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.
      • Partners: Business partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

      Note: Candidates are not required to establish the business until the Business Application is approved by the AAIP.

3. 3. Farm Stream

   • Purpose: For experienced farmers who want to start or buy a farm in Alberta.
   • Process: Apply directly for nomination by demonstrating your farming experience and plans for a successful agricultural business in Alberta.
   • Eligibility Requirements

   To be eligible for the Farm Stream under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), candidates must meet the following criteria at both the time of application submission and during the assessment process by the AAIP. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee a nomination or permanent residence.

   1. 1. Farm Management Skills
      Candidates must demonstrate farm management skills through:
      • Financial Documentation: Evidence of managing an existing farm business.
      • Education, Training, and Work Experience: Documentation showing relevant education, training, and experience in farm management.
      • Business Plan: A detailed business plan for the proposed farming enterprise in Alberta.
      • Financial Support: Proof that a Canadian financial institution is willing to finance the proposed farming business.
   2. 2. Sufficient Financial Resources
      Candidates must be able to invest at least CAD $500,000 in equity for a primary production farming business in Alberta. This includes:
      • Proof of Net Worth: Documents showing a minimum net worth of CAD $500,000.
      • Access to Funds: Confirmation of the ability to access a similar amount of funds from other sources.
      • Potential for Higher Investment: Candidates may be required to demonstrate the ability to invest more than the minimum amount.
   3. 3. Primary Production Investment
      Candidates must submit a proposed business plan outlining their investment plans, which will be reviewed by Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation to ensure alignment with Alberta’s farming industry requirements. The review process considers:
      • Business Plan Review: The plan must show that the farming operation meets industry standards.
      • Priority for Growth Opportunities: Applications with the best potential for contributing to Alberta’s agri-food targets will be prioritized.

      Note: Ensure that your application is comprehensive and includes all required documentation to support your eligibility and investment plans.

4. 4. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

   • Purpose: For foreign graduates with a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada who wish to start an innovative business or start-up in Alberta.
   • Process: Work with a designated agency to submit an EOI, focusing on your international qualifications and business idea.
   • Eligibility Requirements
   1. 1. Work Experience:
      • Minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience, which can be a combination of actively managing or owning a business or equivalent experience (e.g., working with a business incubator or accelerator).
   2. 2. Education
      • Completion of a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada.
      • The degree must:
        • Be completed within the last 10 years at the time of submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI).
        • Be equivalent to a Canadian degree, as assessed by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization listed on the IRCC website.
   3. 3. Business Plan:
      • Submit a detailed business plan with projected financials. Refer to the Business Plan Guidelines for specific requirements.
   4. 4. Pitch Deck:
      • Prepare a 10-minute presentation (slides only) outlining the proposed business venture, focusing on aspects investors would find important.
   5. 5. Language Proficiency:
      • Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for each English skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 5 for each French skill (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
      • Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time of EOI submission.
      • Accepted language tests:
        • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General Test
        • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training Test
        • Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada
        • Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada
      • Check the IRCC website for CLB/NCLC equivalency.
   6. 6. Business Establishment:
      • Ownership
        • Minimum 34% ownership if the business is located in an urban center.
        • Minimum 51% ownership if the business is located in a regional area outside of the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas.
      • Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.
      • The business must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.
   7. 7. Business Investment:
      • Minimum investment from personal equity or from recognized Canadian financial institutions, venture capital, or angel investment:
        • Urban center: Minimum $100,000.
        • Regional area: Minimum $50,000.
      • Higher investments will earn more points, but points are awarded based on either urban center or regional area, not both.
   8. 8. Letter of Recommendation:
      • Obtain a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency.
   9. 9. Settlement Funds:
      • Demonstrate sufficient funds to set up the business and support yourself while on a work permit and launching the start-up.
      • Minimum settlement funds requirements are based on the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs).