Alberta Advantage Immigration Program – Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa / Stream Name	AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Target Outcome	Provincial Nomination for Canadian Permanent Residence
Nomination Validity	6 months
Cost (Expression of Interest)	$200 CAD non-refundable
Cost (Business Application)	$3,500 CAD non-refundable
Other Stream Fees	$150–$250 CAD per service request
Eligibility Work Permit	Valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Education Requirement	2-year post-secondary credential in Alberta
Language Requirement	Minimum CLB/NCLC 7 in all abilities
Business Ownership	Minimum 34% active ownership in Alberta
Business Partners	Canadian citizens or permanent residents only
Work Rights	Maintain valid work permit in Canada
Study Rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Health Insurance	Not stated in the source
Travel Facility	Not stated in the source
Family Inclusion	Spouse/partner and dependants permitted
Citizenship Pathway	Via IRCC permanent residence

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Purpose and Overview

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) Graduate Entrepreneur Stream nominates qualified international graduates of publicly funded Alberta post-secondary institutions who establish or operate an eligible business in Alberta. A provincial nomination allows the candidate to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence.

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an Expression of Interest (EOI) and nomination, applicants must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Education: Completion of at least 2 years of full-time study resulting in a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded post-secondary institution.
• Work Permit: A valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issued by IRCC at the time of EOI submission.
• Language Proficiency: A minimum score of CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) across all 4 bands (reading, writing, listening, speaking). Test results must be less than 2 years old at EOI submission and from an approved testing body:
  • CELPIP General Test
  • IELTS General Training Test
  • PTE Core
  • TEF Canada
  • TCF Canada
• Business Establishment: Establish a new business or purchase an existing business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership. Any business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Physical Presence & Management: Must reside in Alberta and actively manage the business on a day-to-day basis as an owner-operator (remote management from another province/country is not permitted).

Established Businesses in Alberta

Graduates who already own and operate a business in Alberta for at least 1 continuous year immediately prior to submitting an EOI do not need to operate the business for an additional year under a Business Performance Agreement. If approved, they receive a nomination certificate directly after Business Application assessment.

Ineligible Applicants

Candidates cannot apply if they:

• Hold an active, unexpired nomination or extension under another AAIP stream.
• Have an active ban from re-applying to AAIP.
• Are subject to an IRCC or CBSA removal order.
• Are refugee claimants or involved in federal appeal/removal processes.
• Lack valid temporary resident status in Canada.

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Points Grid and Adaptability Factors

Candidates are scored out of a maximum of 125 points based on their EOI:

Category	Criteria / Details	Points
Management / Ownership (Max 15)	• 6 months experience / equivalent<br>• >6 months to 1 year<br>• >1 year	5<br>10<br>15
Economic Benefit (Max 40)	• Key economic development sector<br>• Business succession<br>• Job creation (Canadian PR/citizens for 6+ mos): 1 job (5 pts), 2 jobs (10 pts), 3+ jobs (15 pts)<br>• Rural location (outside Calgary/Edmonton CMAs)	15<br>5<br>5–15<br><br>5
Business Investment (Max 20)	• ≤ $25,000<br>• $25,001–$50,000<br>• $50,001–$75,000<br>• ≥ $75,001	5<br>10<br>15<br>20
Language Skills (Mandatory, Max 15)	• CLB/NCLC 7 in all 4 bands<br>• CLB/NCLC 8 in all 4 bands<br>• CLB/NCLC 9+ in all 4 bands	5<br>12<br>15
Alberta Education (Mandatory, Max 10)	• Bachelor's degree or 2-year diploma<br>• 2 or more degrees/diplomas<br>• Master's degree or higher	5<br>7<br>10
Age (Max 5)	• 21 to 49 years of age	5
Spouse Adaptability (Max 10)	• ≥1 yr full-time AB work, OR 2-yr AB study, OR CLB/NCLC 5 in all abilities	10
Alberta Relatives (Max 10)	• Parent, child, or sibling living full-time in Alberta	10

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Business Requirements and Ineligible Businesses

Eligible Business Conditions

• Must generate active/earned income from goods/services (no passive income).
• Must maintain a permanent physical commercial/industrial establishment in Alberta.
• Must comply with federal, provincial, and municipal regulations, licensing, and Alberta labour and trade certification standards.
• Franchises: Must provide proof of master franchisor support.

Ineligible Businesses

• Passive investments or immigration-linked schemes under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Payday loan, cheque cashing, or used goods trading businesses.
• Real estate development, brokerage, property rental/leasing, and coin-operated businesses (e.g., laundromats).
• Project-based or seasonal operations.
• Home-based businesses, bed-and-breakfasts, or businesses not zoned commercial/industrial.
• Succession businesses owned/operated by a close relative, previously owned by an AAIP entrepreneur nominee within the past 4 years, or that changed ownership within the last 3 years.
• Adult entertainment or businesses bringing the program into disrepute.

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Program Fees and Service Charges

All fees must be paid online via credit/debit card within 24 hours of submission and are strictly non-refundable:

Application / Service Request	Fee (CAD)
Expression of Interest (EOI)	$200
Business Application Package	$3,500
Business Performance Agreement Changes	$150
205(a) Letter of Support for Work Permit	$150 (Waived if requested in writing by IRCC)
Nomination Extension Request	$150
Request for Reconsideration	$250 (Refunded only if decision is overturned)

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Step-by-Step Application Process

[Submit Online EOI & Pay $200] 
       ↓
[Selection from Pool & Invitation to Apply]
       ↓
[Submit Business Application & Qualified Service Provider Reports within 90 Days ($3,500)]
       ↓
[Assessment & Sign Business Performance Agreement (14-day deadline)]
       ↓
[Establish & Operate Alberta Business for 12+ Months (Submit Start-up & Progress Reports)]
       ↓
[Submit Final Report for Nomination]
       ↓
[Nomination Certificate Issued → Apply to IRCC for Permanent Residence within 6 Months]

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

• Submit an EOI using an Alberta.ca Account via the AAIP Portal.
• Candidates have 120 days to finalize draft submissions. Pay the $200 fee within 24 hours of submission.
• EOIs remain active in the selection pool for up to 12 months.

Step 2: Business Application Package

• Invited candidates have 90 calendar days to upload required documents and pay the $3,500 fee.
• Mandatory Professional Reports:
  • Business Plan Evaluation Report: Must be issued by KPMG LLP or MNP LLP.
  • Qualified Service Provider Report (Net Worth/Investment Verification): Issued by Grant Thornton LLP, KPMG LLP, or MNP LLP if requested by AAIP.

Step 3: Business Performance Agreement (BPA)

• Approved candidates receive a legal BPA outlining job creation targets, sector requirements, and operational milestones.
• Applicants must sign and return the BPA within 14 calendar days.

Step 4: Business Operation & Reporting

• Operate the business actively in Alberta for a minimum of 12 months.
• Submit a Start-up Report within 30 days of approval letter issuance.
• Submit a Business Progress Report every 6 months.

Step 5: Final Report for Nomination & Permanent Residence

• Submit the Final Report for Nomination upon satisfying all BPA conditions.
• Upon approval, AAIP issues a Nomination Certificate (valid for 6 months).
• Submit the PR application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office before the nomination expires.
• Pass IRCC medical, security, and criminal background checks.

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Maintaining Status and Work Permit Extensions

Nominees and applicants must maintain lawful temporary resident status in Canada at all times:

1. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP): Recommended route once IRCC issues an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) and file number.
2. AAIP 205(a) Letter of Support: If ineligible for a BOWP, applicants can request a support letter via the portal (processed within 28 days for a $150 fee) to apply for a work permit under IRCC's Employer Portal.

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Reconsideration and Appeal Rules

• Deadline: Must be submitted through the AAIP portal within 30 calendar days of a decline letter.
• Grounds: Must demonstrate an administrative or procedural error in applying program criteria.
• Restrictions: Cannot be used to introduce new evidence, request exemptions, or plead humanitarian/compassionate grounds.
• Limit: Only one reconsideration request permitted per decline decision.

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Program Contact Information

• Inquiries: entrepreneur.supportservice@gov.ab.ca
• Portal Technical Issues / Payments: Alberta eServices Contact