Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream for International Graduates
The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is a unique immigration stream offered under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) that targets foreign graduates who have completed their studies outside of Canada and wish to establish or purchase a business in the province. This stream is designed to help foreign graduates start and grow their businesses in Alberta, contributing to the province’s economic development and creating job opportunities for the local population.
To be eligible for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream, candidates must have a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). They must also have a viable business plan for a new or existing business that they wish to establish or purchase in Alberta. Additionally, the mandatory minimum investment for an urban center is $100,000 while the mandatory minimum investment for a regional area is $50,000. Successful candidates under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream are nominated for permanent residency in Canada and can benefit from a streamlined application process. They are also provided with business development support and mentoring to help them establish and grow their businesses in Alberta.
The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is an excellent option for international graduates who wish to come to Canada and start their own businesses. Alberta is a vibrant and prosperous province with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a welcoming business environment, making it an ideal location for foreign graduates to establish and grow their businesses.
Eligibility Criteria
| Area | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Work experience |
Minimum of 6 months full-time work experience that can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business or equivalent |
| Education |
Completion of a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This degree must:
|
| Business plan |
A business plan with projected financials. |
| Pitch deck |
A 10-minute presentation (slides only) that outlines the proposed business venture and focuses on what an investor would want to see. |
| Language |
Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 5 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Language tests: |
| Business establishment |
Must have a minimum of 34% ownership if the business is located in an urban centre or a minimum of 51% ownership if located in regional area outside Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Areas. Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents. Business must not be on the list of ineligible businesses. |
| Business investment |
A minimum level of investment from candidate’s (or spouse or common-law partner) own equity or from a recognized Canadian financial institution, venture capital, or angel investment firm prior to coming to Alberta. The mandatory minimum investment for an urban center is $100,000 while the mandatory minimum investment for a regional area is $50,000. |
| Letter of recommendation |
Must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency. |
| Settlement funds |
Candidates must demonstrate that they have the funds needed to set up their business and support themselves while they are on a work permit and launching their start-up. |
Settlement funds
| Population size of community and funds required | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of family members |
Less than 1,000 |
1,000 to 30,000 |
30,000 to 99,999 |
100,000 to 499,999 |
500,000 and over |
| 1 |
$8,922 |
$10,151 |
$11,093 |
$12,961 |
$12,960 |
| 2 |
$11,107 |
$12,636 |
$13,810 |
$16,135 |
$16,135 |
| 3 |
$13,655 |
$15,534 |
$16,977 |
$19,836 |
$19,836 |
| 4 |
$16,579 |
$18,861 |
$20,613 |
$24,084 |
$24,083 |
| 5 |
$18,803 |
$21,392 |
$23,379 |
$27,315 |
$27,315 |
| 6 |
$21,208 |
$24,127 |
$26,367 |
$30,807 |
$30,806 |
| 7 |
$23,611 |
$26,861 |
$29,356 |
$34,299 |
$34,299 |
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid
| Human Capital | ||
|---|---|---|
| Criteria | Description | Points |
|
Language Proficiency
|
First official language |
|
|
CLB 5 (5 for each reading, writing, listening and speaking) (mandatory minimum) |
10 |
|
|
CLB 6 (6 for each reading, writing, listening and speaking) |
15 |
|
|
CLB 7 (7 for each reading, writing, listening and speaking) |
20 |
|
|
CLB 8 or higher (8 for each reading, writing, listening and speaking) |
30 |
|
|
Education
|
Minimum requirement is the completion of a degree from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada within the last 10 years with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). Education credential must be equivalent to Canadian standards. |
|
|
Bachelor’s degree or a 2-year Diploma (mandatory minimum) |
5 |
|
|
Master’s degree |
10 |
|
|
Doctoral degree |
15 |
|
|
Preference given to candidates with the following degrees: |
||
|
Completed a degree within the last 5 years at the time of EOI submission |
10 |
|
|
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics |
5 |
|
|
Business |
5 |
|
|
Business management, ownership or equivalent
|
Business ownership or management experience (more points allocated for additional years of experience) |
|
|
6 months (mandatory minimum) |
5 |
|
|
more than 6 months to less than 1 year |
10 |
|
|
1 to 2 years |
15 |
|
|
More than 2 years |
20 |
|
|
Preference will be given to candidates with business ownership experience. |
15 |
|
| Business factors | ||
|
Business Plan
|
A business plan with projected financial information. Business plan guidelines are available on the AAIP website. |
40 |
|
Investment: prior to coming to Alberta
|
Be able to demonstrate the ability to make a minimum level of investment from candidate’s own equity, and/or from a recognized Canadian financial institution, venture capital, or angel investment firm before coming to Alberta. Initial investment must be made within the first 12 months of launching the start-up. (Candidates with higher levels of investment available before coming to Alberta will be awarded more points. Points will also be awarded for urban centre or regional area, not both). Urban centre: Edmonton and Calgary Census Metropolitan Areas Regional area: Communities outside the Edmonton and Calgary Census Metropolitan Areas Urban Centre: |
|
|
$100,000 (mandatory minimum) |
5 |
|
|
$100,001 to $150,000 |
11 |
|
|
$150,001 to $200,000 |
18 |
|
|
Over $200,000 |
25 |
|
|
Or regional area: |
||
|
$50,000 (mandatory minimum) |
5 |
|
|
$50,001 to $100,000 |
11 |
|
|
$100,001 to $150,000 |
18 |
|
|
Over $150,000 |
25 |
|
|
Proposed investment: additional investment after launch.
|
Additional investment after launching start-up from candidate’s own equity, or from recognized Canadian financial institution, venture capital, or angel investment firm. (Candidates with higher levels of investment after launch will be awarded more points. Points awarded for urban centre or regional area, not both.) Urban center: Edmonton and Calgary Census Metropolitan Areas Regional area: Communities outside the Edmonton and Calgary Census Metropolitan Areas Urban Centre: |
|
|
$100,000 to $150,000 |
5 |
|
|
$150,001 to $200,000 |
10 |
|
|
$200,001 to $250,000 |
15 |
|
|
Over $250,000 |
20 |
|
|
Or regional area: |
||
|
$50,000 to $100,000 |
5 |
|
|
$100,001 to $150,000 |
10 |
|
|
$150,001 to $200,000 |
15 |
|
|
Over $200,000 |
20 |
|
|
Job creation
|
Jobs must be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (not including relatives) for a period of at least 6 months. |
|
|
1 job |
5 |
|
|
2 jobs |
10 |
|
|
3 jobs or more |
15 |
|
|
Total maximum points |
200 |
|
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream mandatory minimums
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
|
Ownership of start-up
|
Must have a minimum of 34% ownership in an urban center or a minimum of 51% ownership if the business is located in a regional community. |
|
Businesses in key or priority sectors
|
Business plan or pitch deck must indicate business connected to one of the following sectors:
|
|
Settlement Funds
|
Candidates must demonstrate they have funds to support themselves while they are on a work permit and launching their start-up in Alberta. The minimum settlement funds required will be based on the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs). Refer to the Settlement Fund section. |
|
Pitch Deck
|
A 10-minute presentation (slides only) that describes the foreign graduate and their venture focused on what an investor would want to see. |
|
Letter of Recommendation
|
The candidate must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP approved designated agency. |
Ineligibility
- You have an active nomination, which has not expired and/or is eligible for extension under another AAIP stream.
- You have been issued a letter on a previous AAIP application that stated you are not eligible to re-apply to the AAIP for a specified period of time.
- You have a removal order issued against you by IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency.
- You are a refugee claimant, or an individual involved in a federal appeal or removal process.
- You are a foreign national living or working in Canada with no valid temporary resident status.
- Your business is on the list of ineligible businesses listed below.
How to apply
Required Documents
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
- Pitch Deck
- Letter of Recommendation from a Designated Agency
- Net Worth Worksheet
- Use of Representative form – if applicable
- Spouse, Common-Law Partners and Dependents Authorization form