Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
(AINP)
Qualified candidates living outside Canada can choose from immigration streams for Entrepreneurs or Workers.
Streams for Entrepreneurs:
The AINP has 3 streams for entrepreneurs who plan to live in Alberta and buy / start a business in Alberta.
International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGIES)
The province of Alberta can nominate qualified international graduates from Alberta post–secondary institutions who want to establish or
operate a business in Alberta to apply for permanent residence.
Main Eligibility Criteria
- Education: You must have completed minimum 2 years of full-time education, with a degree or diploma from an Alberta Advanced Education publicly funded postsecondary institution.
- Work Permit: You must have a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) which is valid at the time of your Expression of Interest (EOI) submission.
- Language: You must have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for each English language skill area or NCLC (Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens) of 7 for each French language skill area – Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. The acceptable language tests are CELPIP-General, IELTS-General, TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
- Business establishment: You must establish a new business or buy an existing business in Alberta with at least an ownership of 34%. The proposed business type must not be on the list of ineligible businesses.
Foreign Graduate Start–up Visa Stream (FGSVS)
This is an economic immigration program for qualified foreign educated graduates from outside Canada who want to launch start–up Start–ups
or innovative businesses in Alberta. This stream is a collaboration between the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and approved
designated agencies.
Main Eligibility Criteria
- Education: Completion of a degree from a post–secondary institution outside Canada with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The
degree must be equal to a Canadian degree. - Work Experience: Minimum 6 months full–time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or
equivalent. - Language: You must have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 for each English language skill area or NCLC (Niveaux de
Compétence Linguistique Canadiens) of 5 for each French language skill area – Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening. The acceptable
language tests are CELPIP–General, IELTS–General, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. - Business establishment: You must have at least 34% ownership if the business is in an urban area, or at least 51% ownership if it is located
the business is located outside Calgary or Edmonton metropolitan areas. - Business Investment: The mandatory minimum investment is $100,000 for an urban centre, and $50,000for a regional area.
Self-employed Farmer Stream
This stream is for entrepreneurs who have the financial resources and farm management experience to establish a new farm or purchase an existing farm in Alberta.
Interested candidates may submit their application along with a business plan to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) for review. The AINP will consult with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development to verify the feasibility and viability of the business plan and whether it meets the needs of Alberta’s agriculture industry.
Main Eligibility Criteria
- Farm Management skills: You must have farm management skills and provide proof of these skills. Additionally, a business plan for the farming enterprise you are considering in Alberta is required along with evidence of financing for the business from a Canadian financial institution.
- Personal Financial Resources: You must be able to invest a minimum of $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta and provide proof of these funds as well as show a minimum net worth of $500,000.
