ALBERTA GRADUATE ENTREPRENEUR STREAM
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream constitutes one of the streams within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AINP), which operates as a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the authority of the province of Alberta. This stream serves as a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for international graduates who have completed their studies at Alberta post-secondary institutions and intend to initiate and manage a business within the province.
This stream employs a points-based Expression of Interest (EOI) system to evaluate and rank candidates. Those who secure the highest point rankings will be invited to submit a comprehensive Business Application. Approved applicants will receive a provincial nomination from Alberta, which can subsequently be employed in their application for Canadian permanent residence.
Program Requirements:
1. Express Entry Profile: Not Required
2. Connection to Province: Yes
3. Job Offer: Not Required
4. Language Proficiency: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 in English or French
5. Level of Education: Minimum of a two-year qualifying Alberta credential
6. Work Experience: Not Required
7. Investment Requirement: No specified minimum investment is mandated
8. Work Permit: Yes
Level of Education:
To qualify for the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, candidates must have successfully obtained a minimum two-year degree or diploma from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in Alberta, accredited by Alberta Advanced Education. This educational institution must render the applicant eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit.
Work Experience:
This stream does not impose a mandatory work experience prerequisite. However, candidates who possess a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience may enhance their prospects of success under this program. The work experience should have been acquired while actively managing or owning a business or its equivalent. Equivalency can encompass the completion of entrepreneurship program courses or participation in an incubator or business accelerator.
Work Permit:
Eligible candidates must possess a valid post-graduate work permit at the time of submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile.
Business Establishment:
Candidates are required to establish a new business or purchase an existing business within Alberta, with a minimum ownership stake of 34%.
Application Procedure
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream functions on an Expression of Interest (EOI) framework. Candidates who fulfill the minimum stream requirements can create a profile through the AINP’s online portal. Once the profile has been submitted, candidates will be allocated a score and evaluated against one another using the GES Points Grid. The candidates with the highest rankings will receive communication from AINP, inviting them to present a Business Plan.
Candidates who are invited to submit a Business Plan must furnish a comprehensive application for the stream within 90 days from the date of receipt of the invitation. The Business Plan will be subjected to evaluation by a Qualified Service Provider designated by AINP. All online AINP Business Applications necessitate payment of a $3,500 CAD application fee.
Candidates are mandated to enter into a legally binding Business Performance Agreement. This agreement is signed with the province of Alberta and delineates the conditions under which the candidate will obtain a nomination for permanent residence. Alberta will issue a Business Application Approval Letter once all parties have duly executed the Business Performance Agreement. Candidates are obliged to adhere to the stipulations of the business performance agreement and establish their residence and business operations in Alberta for a minimum period of 12 months before the submission of a final report for AINP Nomination.
Upon receiving a provincial nomination, the applicant has a span of six months to submit a federal application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants under this program must prepare and submit a paper-based application for permanent residence and dispatch it via mail to the designated application center. Typically, paper-based PNP applications for permanent residence are processed within an approximate timeframe of 18 months.
Alberta GES Points Ranking System
The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream employs the subsequent points-based system to evaluate and rank candidates who have established profiles. Only candidates possessing the highest-scoring profiles will receive invitations to make applications to the program.
Points Allocation Sections and Maximum Points
Experience in Management or Ownership 15
Economic Advantages 15
Investment in Business 20
Creation of Employment Opportunities 15
Geographic District of Residence 5
Language Proficiency 15
Educational Attainment in Alberta 10
Age 20
Factors Associated with Spouse or Common-Law Partner 10
Presence of Alberta Relatives 10
Maximum Attainable Score 200
