The Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for international students who have graduated from post-secondary institutions in Alberta and wish to immigrate to the province permanently by starting a business or purchasing an existing business. The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the prairie province of Alberta.
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a lengthy and complex immigration stream. Candidates will be required to create and carry out extensive plans for business ownership and management. There may be other permanent residence pathways, for example, the Canadian Experience Class of Express Entry, which could be faster and easier immigration options. However, for motivated entrepreneurs, the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream could be an effective way to start a business career while also obtaining permanent resident status.
Eligibility Requirements for the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream has a strict set of minimum eligibility requirements which a candidate must meet in order to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). However, submitting an EOI is only the first step in the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream process. Eligible EOIs will be scored using the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid and only those candidates with the highest scores will be invited to submit an official application.
The minimum eligibility requirements for Alberta’s Graduate Entrepreneur Stream are as follows:
Work Experience
Candidates must have at least six months of full-time work experience in either: (1) active business ownership or management, or (2) equivalent activities, such as completion of a business incubator, business accelerator, or entrepreneurship program courses*. If you are unsure whether your experience qualifies, contact AAIP directly.
Education
Candidates must have completed at least two years of full-time study in Alberta, resulting in a post-secondary educational credential from an Alberta educational institution. This program must have resulted in a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Post-Graduation Work Permit
Candidates must have a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) which is valid for at least two years at the time of EOI submission.
English or French Language Ability
Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French by completing an approved language test. Candidates must score a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark of Level 7 (CLB 7) in all four components of the language test.
Business Establishment
Candidates must buy or establish a new business in Alberta. They must own at least 34% of the business. The proposed business must not be on the ineligible businesses list:
If a candidate meets these minimum eligibility requirements, they can follow the instructions below to apply to Alberta’s Graduate Entrepreneur Stream.
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