Banner
All information on the website is for reference only and not legal advice. We will not be liable for any loss related to this site.

Business Immigration

Alberta

Minimum requirements

Popular business immigration programs for graduated international students and entrepreneurs and agricultural investors in the province

Foreign Grad Entrepreneur

Graduated students outside Canada want to invest and actively manage a business in Alberta

Work experience
6 months full-time of actively managing or owning the business or equivalent
Education
Equivalent to Canadian high-school within the last 10 years
Language
CLB 5
Ownership
34% if located inside Calgary or Edmonton, or 51% if elsewhere
Investment
$100,000 if located inside Calgary or Edmonton
$50,000 if elsewhere
Endorsement of Candidate Letter
Have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency
Rural Entrepreneur

Experienced entrepreneurs want to invest in rural areas of Alberta

Business management experience
3 years as a business owner, or 4 years as a senior business manager within the last 10 years
Education
Equivalent to Canadian high-school
Net worth
$300,000 after debt deduction
Investment
$100,000NEW
Ownership
Establish or invest in a business with a 51% ownership or purchase a business with a 100% ownership
Job creation
1 position full-time (not including family members) unless purchasing the business
Language
CLB 4
Community referral letter
Have a Community Support Letter and endorsement of the Business Proposal Summary from a participating rural Alberta community
Graduate Entrepreneur

Recently graduated students in AB want to start a business and settle in the province

Work experience
6 months full-time of actively managing and/or owning a business or complete entrepreneurship program courses in Alberta
Graduation
2 years post-secondary credential in Alberta
Language
CLB 7
Work permit
Issue after graduation, valid at least 2 years at the time of application
Ownership
Purchase, establish or invest in a business with a 34% ownership
Farm

Experienced agricultural investors want to invest in a farm in Alberta

Work experience
Agricultural management experience and/or relevant education
Investment
$500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta
Proposed business plan
Align with the requirements in the farming industry in Alberta

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive the invitation. Please refer the application process.
Applicant must fulfill all terms set out in the Business Performance Agreement to be nominated for provincial nomination.

Application process

Process timeline of investing, selecting, reviewing and submitting for provincial nomination
between applicant with Provincial and Federal Government

Entrepreneur & Rural Entrepreneur

Exploratory Visit
Stage 1

Meet with the local community officials and obtain Community Support Letter and endorsement of Business Proposal Summary.
Rural (Mandatory)

Nomination submission
Stage 2

Create EOI profile on AAIP Portal when minimum requirements are met. The profile is scored and ranked based on the information provided.Profile is scored within
1 month, valid for 12 months

Provincial invitation
Stage 3

Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit application within 90 days,
expect processing in 5 months

Investment decision
Stage 4

Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.Sign the agreement within 14 days

Work permit
Stage 5

The province provides a Letter of support for the applicant to complete their work permit application for business investment.Arrive within 12 months

Business establishment
Stage 6

Arrive and report to the province within 30 days after issuance of work permit. Start the business plan as agreed with the province.12 months in business operation

Decision of Nomination
Stage 7

After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.
Province reviews in 4 months
IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months

Get PR Status
Stage 8

Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months

Graduate Entrepreneur

Nomination submission
Stage 1

Create EOI profile on AAIP Portal when minimum requirements are met. The profile is scored and ranked based on the information provided.Profile is scored within
1 month, valid for 12 months

Provincial invitation
Stage 2

Depending on allocation quota, candidates with the highest EOI scores in the pool will be invited to submit the investment application.
Submit application within 90 days,
expect processing in 5 months

Investment decision
Stage 3

Application approved, the investor signs the Business Performance Agreement with the province, committing to fulfill all requirements.Sign the agreement within 14 days

Business establishment
Stage 4

Fulfill all commitments of the business plan as agreed with the province under the post-graduation work permit.12 months in business operation

Decision of Nomination
Stage 5

After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.
Province reviews in 4 months
IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months

Get PR Status
Stage 6

Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months

Farm

Nomination submission
Stage 1

Send the investment application to Alberta Advantage Immigration Program when all requirements are met

Decision of Nomination
Stage 2

After fulfilled all commitments, applicant receives Nomination Certificate to support the application for permanent residence to IRCC.
Province reviews in 4 months
IRCC reviews in 15 - 19 months

Get PR Status
Stage 3

Application approved, the applicant gets Permanent Resident status after landing or confirming on IRCC Portal.Confirmation valid within 12 months

If a work permit is due to expire within 30 days, the province may issue a letter of support for the work permit extension.
An invitation to apply does not guarantee the application will be approved or the applicant will be issued the Nomination Certificate or granted permanent resident status.

Success factors

Crucial elements affect the decision

Background elements
Settlement fund
Net worth
Age
Language
French
Canadian work experience
Education
Work experience
Management experience
Admissible
Residential area
Letter from employer
Occupation in Canada
Liquid asset
Field study in Canada
Community referral letter
Farm experience
Job offer
Investment value
Business proposal
Education in Canada
Investment region
Residential area
Exploratory Visit
Scoring factors

Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur

Management experience
0%
Education
0%
Business Plan
0%
Language
0%
Investment value
0%
Job creation
0%

Rural Entrepreneur

Management experience
0%
Region factor
0%
Business Establishment Factors
0%
Language
0%
Education
0%
Adaptability
0%

Graduate Entrepreneur

Management experience
0%
Economic benefits
0%
Language
0%
Alberta education
0%
Adaptability
0%

Economic benefits include investment sectors and regions, business succession and job creation.
Business establishment factors include total investment value, total net worth, job creation or business succession.
Adaptability generally includes but not limited to ties to the province (education, relatives in the province, work experience) and spouse's background (education, language proficiency, work experience).
Figures may be rounded for presentation purposes, please refer to federal or provincial government websites for the most accurate information.

Entitlement

Benefits the applicant and their accompanying family members are entitled to when becoming permanent residents

Family-friendly
Family-friendly

The immigration application includes the applicant's spouse and children

Work and study
Work and study

Have legal status to operate the business under business immigration program

Medical
Medical

Access to high-quality modern public health care as same as Canadian

Education
Education

Free or lower tuition for children depends on the level of education

Benefits
Benefits

Access to social benefits as same as Canadian

Mobility right
Mobility right

Live and work anywhere under Permanent Resident status

Sponsorship
Sponsorship

Ability to sponsor relatives if the conditions are met

Naturalization
Naturalization

Ability to obtain citizenship if residency conditions are met

Specific requirements

Important requirements the applicant should note

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application
  • Have a valid nomination under any AAIP stream or eligible for extension
  • Have been refused for the AAIP for a specified period of time and submit the application during that period

List of Ineligible Businesses

  • Any business in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (immigration-linked investment schemes or passive investment)
  • Businesses without a value-add economic component (lending, trading of used goods)
  • Businesses that would be considered passive investments or lack active management (leasing, real estate development, laundromats)
  • Project based or seasonal businesses
  • Home-based businesses (bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses)
  • Businesses that are part of a succession plan (owned and operated by family members or former provincial nominees in the last 4 years, or change the ownership in the last 3 years)
  • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
  • Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of Alberta into disrepute

Basic requirements

  • Have graduated an equivalent foreign post-secondary program outside Canada, with the education credential assessed by Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) within the last 10 years
  • Also eligible to foreign graduates who currently own and operate a business in Alberta
  • 6 months full-time worker experience of actively managing and/or owning the business or equivalent
  • Have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency (Empowered Startups or Platform Calgary) after reviewing the proposed business plan
  • Have a 10-minute presentation (slides only) about the applicant and their business plan

Language

Minimum CLB 5, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Settlement fund

Proof of funds to support yourself and family members during the period of adaptation after your arrival, based on Low Income Cut-Off threshold, residential area and family size:

 Population size of community and funds required
Number of family membersLess than 1,0001,000 to 30,00030,000 to 99,999100,000 to 499,999500,000 and over
1$8,922$10,151$11,093$12,961$12,960
2$11,107$12,636$13,810$16,135$16,135
3$13,655$15,534$16,977$19,836$19,836
4$16,579$18,861$20,613$24,084$24,083
5$18,803$21,392$23,379$27,315$27,315
6$21,208$24,127$26,367$30,807$30,806
7$23,611$26,861$29,356$34,299$34,299

Investment requirements

  • Include the investments made before and after coming to Alberta
  • Be assessed by aAAIP-approved designated agency (Grant Thornton, KPMG, or MNP)
  • Changes in the submitted EOI will not be accepted after the request to submit a Business Application has been sent
  • Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits by selling products or providing services instead of passive investment
  • Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
  • The proportional share of ownership must be at least 34% or 51% depending on the investment region
  • Have been operating the business for more than 1 year, if currently own and operate the business
  • Have the business plan evaluated by an AAIP-approved designated agency (Empowered Startups or Platform Calgary)
  • Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business on a valid work permit
  • Have a valid Trade Certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) if required
  • Maintain a place of business in Alberta at all time
  • For franchises, the ownership requirements and all other program criteria are the same as for other businesses
  • Business plan or pitch deck must indicate business connected to one of the following key or priority sectors:
    ○ Technology, or
    ○ Aerospace, or
    ○ Financial services, or
    ○ Energy, or
    ○ Agriculture, or
    ○ Tourism, or
    ○ Life sciences, or
    ○ Pharmaceuticals

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application
  • Have a valid nomination under any AAIP stream or eligible for extension
  • Have been refused for the AAIP for a specified period of time and submit the application during that period

List of Ineligible Businesses

  • Any business in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (immigration-linked investment schemes or passive investment)
  • Businesses without a value-add economic component (lending, trading of used goods)
  • Businesses that would be considered passive investments or lack active management (leasing, real estate development, laundromats)
  • Project based or seasonal businesses
  • Home-based businesses (bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses)
  • Businesses that are part of a succession plan (owned and operated by family members or former provincial nominees in the last 4 years, or change the ownership in the last 3 years)
  • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
  • Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of Alberta into disrepute

Basic requirements

Language

Minimum CLB 4, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Investment requirements

  • At least $100,000 CAD
  • The proportional share of ownership must be at least 51% if investing or 100% if purchasing a business
  • Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits by selling products or providing services instead of passive investment
  • Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
  • Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business on a valid work permit
  • Have a valid Trade Certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) if required
  • Maintain a place of business in Alberta at all time
  • For franchises, the ownership requirements and all other program criteria are the same as for other businesses
  • Have the business plan evaluated by an AAIP-approved designated agency (KPMG or MNP)
  • Have the Qualified Service Provider Report assessed by an AAIP-approved designated agency (Grant Thornton, KPMG, or MNP)
  • Changes in the submitted EOI will not be accepted after the request to submit a Business Application has been sent
  • Have been operating the business for more than 1 year, if currently own and operate the business

Business requirements

  • Create at least 1 full-time job or equivalent for Canadian or Permanent Resident (not including family members) for at least 6 months if establishing a new business
  • Operate the business for at least 12 months before submitting the final report
  • Submit a progress report every 6 months and the final report after 12 months as required by the province
  • Continue to own, manage and provide financial support for the business throughout the necessary time period
  • Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits

Actively operate and manage business activities at the place of business in the province

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application
  • Have a valid nomination under any AAIP stream or eligible for extension
  • Have been refused for the AAIP for a specified period of time and submit the application during that period

List of Ineligible Businesses

  • Any business in contravention of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (immigration-linked investment schemes or passive investment)
  • Businesses without a value-add economic component (lending, trading of used goods)
  • Businesses that would be considered passive investments or lack active management (leasing, real estate development, laundromats)
  • Project based or seasonal businesses
  • Home-based businesses (bed-and-breakfasts and lodging houses)
  • Businesses that are part of a succession plan (owned and operated by family members or former provincial nominees in the last 4 years, or change the ownership in the last 3 years)
  • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic products or services
  • Any businesses that tend to bring the Nominee Program or the Government of Alberta into disrepute

Basic requirements

Business management experience

  • Inside or outside Canada, accumulate before or after completing the educational program in Alberta
  • 6 months full-time as a business manager or owner or combination of both, or
  • Have completed an approved post-secondary institution entrepreneur program, such as:
    ○ Aboriginal Entrepreneurship
    ○ Artisan Entrepreneurship
    ○ Culinary Entrepreneurship
    ○ Entrepreneurship
    ○ Bachelor of Commerce – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
    ○ Bachelor of Commerce – Small Business and Entrepreneurship
    ○ Master of Business Administration – Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Language

Minimum CLB 7, assessed by 1 of 4 language proficiency tests within the last 2 years:

Spouse or common-law partner

Must meet one of the following requirements:

  • 1 year of full-time work experience in Alberta, or
  • Have completed a 2-years post-secondary program in Alberta, or
  • Language proficiency of CLB 5 in all 4 language abilities

Investment requirements

  • Establish or purchase a business with a minimum of 34% ownership
  • Not required to establish the business until receiving the Business Application Approval Letter
  • Co-owner must be Canadian or Permanent Resident
  • Demonstrate the main purpose of business operation is generating profits by selling products or providing services instead of passive investment
  • Fully comply with federal and provincial laws and regulations in employment, labor, immigration
  • Have a valid Trade Certificate recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) if required
  • Maintain a place of business in Alberta at all time
  • For franchises, the ownership requirements and all other program criteria are the same as for other businesses
  • Directly involved in the day-to-day management of the business on a valid work permit

Immigration Ineligibility

  • Are under removal order
  • Are inadmissible to Canada
  • Are living in Canada illegally
  • Are working without authorization
  • Have an unresolved refugee or humanitarian and compassionate application
  • Are currently living in Canada and in live-in caregivers program
  • Are working and residing as a temporary foreign worker outside Alberta
  • Have a valid nomination under any AAIP stream or eligible for extension
  • Have been refused for the AAIP for a specified period of time and submit the application during that period

Agricultural experience

  • Successful experience in farming production

Investment requirements

  • At least $500,000 CAD
  • The province may require applicants to demonstrate the ability to invest above the minimum

Basic requirements

  • Net worth of $500,000 CAD, including all assets owned by applicant and applicant-spouse after debt deduction