Alberta Advantage Immigration Program – Farm Stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Program name	AAIP Farm Stream
Target status	Permanent residence via IRCC nomination
Nomination validity	6 months
Application fee	CAD $3,500 (non-refundable)
Minimum investment	CAD $500,000 equity in primary production
Minimum net worth	CAD $500,000 (or verifiable access)
Eligibility timing	Met at application mailing and assessment
Work rights	Not stated in the source
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship pathway	Leads to permanent residence
Family provisions	Includes spouse/partner and eligible dependants
Reconsideration fee	CAD $250
Extension fee	CAD $150

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Purpose

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Farm Stream allows experienced farm owners and operators with sufficient financial resources to establish or purchase a primary production farming business in Alberta and apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy all criteria at the time the application is mailed and during assessment:

• Farm management skills: Demonstrated through:
  • Financial documentation of an existing farm business.
  • Evidence of relevant education, training, and work experience.
  • A detailed proposed business plan for the farming enterprise in Alberta.
  • Proof of financing support from a Canadian financial institution.
• Sufficient financial resources:
  • Ability to invest a minimum of CAD $500,000 of equity into an Alberta primary production farming business.
  • Proof of a minimum net worth of CAD $500,000 or confirmed access to equivalent funds. Higher investment amounts may be required depending on the enterprise.
• Primary production investment plan: A comprehensive business plan submitted to AAIP, which will be evaluated in consultation with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. Priority is given to applications showing the greatest growth potential aligning with Alberta's agri-food targets.

Ineligibility

An applicant is not eligible if they:

• Hold an active, unexpired AAIP nomination or are eligible for an extension under another AAIP stream (only one nomination certificate is allowed).
• Are subject to an active AAIP re-application ban.
• Have an active removal order from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
• Live or work in Canada without valid temporary resident status.
• Are a live-in caregiver residing in Canada.
• Work and reside as a temporary foreign worker in a Canadian province other than Alberta.
• Are an international student studying in Canada (including co-op work placements and internships).

Fees and Costs

All payments must be made online following instructions obtained by emailing entrepreneur.supportservice@gov.ab.ca:

• Application fee: CAD $3,500 (non-refundable).
• Request for reconsideration fee: CAD $250 (refunded only if the original decline decision is overturned).
• Nomination extension fee: CAD $150 (non-refundable).

Note: Fee receipts must be included with submissions. If missing, applicants have 10 business days to provide proof of payment before the file or request is cancelled/declined.

Application Steps

1. Review Rules: Consult the AAIP Business Plan Guidelines and stream requirements.

2. Obtain Forms: Complete the required checklist and application forms.

3. Pay Application Fee: Request payment instructions by emailing entrepreneur.supportservice@gov.ab.ca, pay the CAD $3,500 fee, and keep the receipt.

4. Submit by Mail or Courier: Send the original signed application package and fee receipt to:

   Farm Stream
   Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
   c/o Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Mailroom
   Commerce Place, 10155 102 Street
   Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1S6
   Canada
   (Applications sent by email or fax are not accepted.)

Required Documents and Forms

Provincial Forms (Originals with Original Signatures)

• AAIP Farm Stream Document Checklist
• Farm Stream Application Form

Federal Forms (Copies Submitted to AAIP)

• IMM 0008 – Generic Application Form for Canada
• IMM 0008 Schedule 4 – Economic Classes: Provincial Nominees
• IMM 0008 Schedule 4A – Economic Classes: Business Nominees
• IMM 0008DEP – Additional Dependants/Declaration (if more than 5 dependants)
• IMM 5669 – Schedule A: Background/Declaration (completed by applicant, spouse/partner, and dependants 18+)
• IMM 5406 – Additional Family Information (completed by applicant, spouse/partner, and dependants 18+)
• IMM 5476 – Use of a Representative (if applicable)

Supplementary Update Forms

• Change of Contact and Address Information Form
• Request to Add or Remove Family Member(s)
• Candidate Representative Form

Assessment and Processing

• Only complete applications are evaluated. Incomplete packages are declined without refund.
• Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation assesses business plan feasibility and alignment with provincial agricultural needs.
• Program officers may contact applicants for clarification or require an interview via web-based video conferencing.
• Applicants may only have one active AAIP application in process at any given time.

Reconsideration Requests

If an application is declined, a single reconsideration request may be submitted under strict conditions:

• Deadline: Within 30 calendar days of the decision letter date.
• Grounds: Must demonstrate an error in applying program criteria. Cannot be used to provide new evidence, request exceptions, or seek humanitarian and compassionate relief.
• Process: Submit the Request for Reconsideration Form, proof of the CAD $250 fee payment, and supporting details to the issuing officer.

Post-Nomination and Applying for Permanent Residence

1. Nomination Issuance: Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination package by email.
2. Apply to IRCC: Submit a permanent residence application online to IRCC before the 6-month nomination certificate expires.
3. Background & Medical Checks: The applicant and family members must complete criminal, security, and medical checks when instructed by IRCC.
4. Mandatory Updates: Notify both AAIP and IRCC of any changes in contact details, family composition, or immigration status.

Nomination Extensions

• A nomination extension gives additional time to apply to IRCC if the original 6-month certificate expires.
• Eligibility: Extension requests must be submitted within 6 months of the original expiry date. Only one extension can ever be granted.
• Process: Submit the Request for a Nomination Extension Form, letters from IRCC explaining why the PR application was not accepted, and the CAD $150 non-refundable fee receipt.

Important Warnings and Obligations

• Fraud and Misrepresentation: Providing false or misleading information may lead to nomination withdrawal and a ban of up to 5 years from applying to AAIP.
• No Guarantee of PR: A provincial nomination does not guarantee permanent residence; final approval rests solely with the Government of Canada (IRCC).
• Illegal Fees: Employers and agencies are prohibited by Alberta law from charging candidates fees for job or employment offers.
• Communication Security: Official AAIP emails come exclusively from @gov.ab.ca addresses. Suspicious emails should be reported immediately.