The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a unique economic immigration pathway designed to encourage enterprising foreign graduates to establish innovative businesses in Alberta. This initiative is part of a collaboration between the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and various designated agencies, aiming to nominate skilled foreign-educated graduates from outside Canada for permanent residency.
Working with Designated Agencies
For foreign graduates keen on applying, collaboration with a designated agency is crucial. These agencies play a vital role in assessing whether applicants meet the AAIP requirements. A designated agency will evaluate business plans on several criteria, including market demand, potential for successful entry, customer acquisition, business development strategies, key partnerships, and comprehensive financial planning.
Upon determining that an applicant meets the necessary standards, the agency will issue a letter of recommendation. This letter must accompany the applicant’s Expression of Interest (EOI) when submitting through the AAIP Portal.
Evaluation Process by Designated Agencies
Designated agencies thoroughly review business proposals to ensure the applicant’s readiness and potential for success as entrepreneurs in Alberta. Agencies provide essential support services such as:
- Marketing of the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
- Assessment of entrepreneurial readiness through thorough evaluation of proposed business concepts
- Selection of candidate’s worthy of AAIP recommendation
- Networking opportunities alongside business counseling, coaching, and guidance during the launch phase and throughout achieving Business Performance Agreement requirements
These agencies are tasked with delivering a written report on each prospective business plan’s viability, which must be included with their Business Application under this stream.
Foreign graduate entrepreneurs gain not just an opportunity for permanent residency but also robust support to foster their innovation and growth through a system designed to maximize their chances for success.
Eligibility Criteria for the Stream
To qualify for this stream, candidates are required to fulfill several criteria, detailed as follows:
Work Experience:
Applicants must possess a minimum of six months of full-time work experience. This experience can be a combination of actively managing or owning a business, or an equivalent experience such as working with a business incubator or accelerator.
Educational Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada. This degree must meet the following conditions:
- It should have been completed within the last ten years before the Expression of Interest (EOI) submission.
- It must be evaluated as equivalent to a Canadian degree through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The designated organizations for ECAs can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Business Plan:
A comprehensive business plan inclusive of projected financials should be prepared, adhering to the Business Plan Guidelines provided.
Pitch Deck:
A slides-only presentation, lasting no more than ten minutes, is required. This pitch deck should outline the proposed business venture and highlight key factors that would capture an investor’s interest.
Language Proficiency:
Applicants need to demonstrate a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 in each English language competency, or an equivalent Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level of 5 for French skills. Official test results must be under two years old at the time of submission. Accepted language tests include:
- 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
Refer to the IRCC website for CLB/NCLC equivalency details for each test.
Business Establishment:
There are ownership requirements based on location:
- Minimum 34% ownership if situated in an urban center.
- A minimum 51% ownership is needed if located in a regional area outside Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas.
Additionally, business partners must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Importantly, the business must not fall under any ineligible categories.
Business Investment:
Candidates need to secure investment from personal equity or through a recognized Canadian financial institution, venture capital, or angel investor before arriving in Alberta. Mandatory minimum investments are set at $100,000 for urban centers and $50,000 for regional areas. Increased investment levels enhance point scoring; however, points apply either to urban centers or regional areas exclusively—not both.
Letter of Recommendation:
A recommendation letter from an AAIP approved designated agency is indispensable.
Settlement Funds:
Candidates must demonstrate sufficient funds to establish their business and sustain themselves while on a work permit and during the start-up phase. Settlement fund requirements align with Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs).
Selection from Expression of Interest (EOI) Pool
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is currently reviewing Expressions of Interest submitted under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. Assessments will be made based on the points system displayed in the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid. Candidates who achieve the highest scores will be invited to submit a comprehensive Business Application.
Criteria for Evaluation:
The key components to be evaluated include:
- Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Business Plan
- Pitch Deck
- Net Worth Worksheet
- Letter of Recommendation from a Designated Agency
Additionally, if applicable, provide:
- Authorization to Collect and Disclose Personal Information for Spouse, Common-Law Partners, and Dependents
Ineligibility Criteria:
Applications under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream are not accepted if:
- The applicant holds an active nomination within another AAIP stream that is valid or eligible for extension, as dual nominations are not permitted.
- A previous AAIP application resulted in a notification declaring ineligibility to reapply for a specified duration; applications submitted during this period will be rejected.
- The applicant has received a removal order from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency.
- Individuals who are refugee claimants or involved in federal appeal or removal processes are ineligible, as AAIP does not participate in federal procedures.
- The applicant resides or works in Canada without valid temporary resident status.
- Businesses categorized as ineligible are not permissible.
Established Businesses in Alberta:
Foreign graduates already owning and operating a business in Alberta may apply to AAIP as a route to permanent residency. Eligibility requires adherence to the criteria outlined in both the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid and its Mandatory Minimums at EOI submission time. The business must have been operational in Alberta for at least one year prior to submitting an EOI through the AAIP portal.
Expression of Interest submissions will be evaluated based on both Points and Mandatory Minimums Grids. Top-scoring candidates will be prompted to submit their Business Application. Those who already have established businesses will not need an additional operational year post AAIP application.
Eligible foreign graduates will receive a nomination certificate upon successful Business Application submission to AAIP. They must continue operating their business during their permanent residence application process with IRCC.
Business Eligibility and Requirements for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
To ensure your business application is successful, confirm that your proposed business aligns with the eligibility criteria established by the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Your business must demonstrate a significant economic benefit to Alberta to qualify.
Eligible Business Criteria:
- Profit Motive from Active Income: The primary objective of the proposed business should be to generate profit through active or earned income derived from selling goods or services, rather than passive income streams.
- Compliance with Legal Requirements: Your business must adhere to relevant legal, regulatory, or licensing obligations at federal, provincial, and municipal levels. This includes compliance with Alberta labor laws, covering aspects such as employment standards, occupational health and safety, and labor relations.
- Trade Certification Compliance: Ensure that your business meets any pertinent trade certification requirements in Alberta. This is crucial for businesses in compulsory trades, which must possess a valid Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Trade (AIT) recognized trade certificate. Review designated trade lists to ascertain if a trade certificate is necessary.
- Sector Connection: Your business plan or pitch deck should clearly establish a connection to one of these key sectors: technology, aerospace, financial services, energy, agriculture, tourism, life sciences, or pharmaceuticals.
- Physical Presence: Maintain a physical place of business in Alberta at all times.
- Ownership and Residency Requirements: A minimum ownership of 34% is required if the business is located in an urban center; for regional areas, this requirement increases to 51%. You must reside in Alberta and actively participate in daily management operations while holding a work permit. Remote management from outside Alberta is not permitted.
Ineligible Business Types:
Certain businesses do not qualify under this stream:
- Businesses violating the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (e.g., immigration-linked investment schemes).
- Enterprises without value-add economic components such as:
- Payday loans and cheque cashing services.
- Trading in used goods.
- Entities based on passive investment or minimal active management like insurance brokerages.
- Project-based or seasonal businesses.
- Home-based enterprises not zoned for commercial activities; also includes bed-and-breakfasts or lodging establishments.
- Businesses within succession plans.
- Operations involved in pornography production or distribution.
Ensure your proposed enterprise fulfills these criteria to qualify under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream for conducting business activities in Alberta.
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