Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream

Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream of AAIP helps Alberta select international graduates who completed their study programs from post-secondary institutions in Alberta. And also want to set up or buy a business in the province. Further, after selection, they can apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Who can apply under the Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream?

If an applicant wants to get Canada PR through the AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream then the must meet the following terms to apply:

• Firstly, have a minimum of 6 months of continuous work experience.
  • Can be actively managing or owning a business or both.
• Secondly, have completed a minimum of 2 years of study program from a post-secondary institution in Alberta.
  • Also, have received a degree or diploma due to the same.
  • Moreover, after completion of the study program, have received a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).
• Also, PGWP must be valid for a minimum of 2 years at the time of applying to the Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream.
• Further, have a minimum of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 language skill level.
  • Also, language test results must not be more than 2 years old.
• Finally agree to set and run or buy a business in Alberta.
  • Also, must have a minimum of 33% ownership.
  • Besides, the business must not fall under the list of ineligible businesses.

The sub-stream is accepting the following post-secondary institution entrepreneur programs and work experience suggestions such as:

• Aboriginal Entrepreneurship
• Artisan Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor of Commerce – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Master of Business Administration – Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor of Commerce – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Bachelor of Commerce – Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Culinary Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor of Commerce – Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Additional factors to meet

In case an applicant meets the following factors, then their chances of getting an invitation or request to submit a Business Application to AAIP increases:

Adaptability Factors

Economic Benefit to Alberta

• Creating jobs
• Growing the economic sector
• Business location (developing rural area)
• Business Succession
• Investment
• Developing intellectual property
• Support from accelerator/business incubator, angel investor or venture capital, or partnership

Age

The applicant must fall between the age group of 18 – 49.

Spouse

Applicant’s spouse or common-law partner meets the following terms:

• Firstly, has 1 year of work experience in Alberta.
• Secondly, completed 2 years of full-time study program at a post-secondary institution in Alberta.
• Besides, has a minimum of CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) language skill level.

Alberta Connection

An applicant or its spouse or common-law partner has relatives in Alberta. Besides, relatives refer to:

• Father
• Step-father
• Mother
• Step-mother
• Child
• Step-child
• Sister
• Step-sister
• Brother
• Step-brother

How to Apply?

To apply to the Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). An EOI is not a formal application but shows the applicant’s interest to apply to the program.

Also, once an applicant submits an EOI their application will be assessed as per the EOI factors such as:

Business Establishment Factors – 75 Points

Human Capital Factors – 25 Points

Adaptability Factors – 25 Points

Who can not apply to this stream?

You can not apply to the Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream if you:

• Have an active nomination and or can get an extension under another AAIP program. Because applicants can only get 1 AAIP Nomination certificate.
• Are issued a letter on a previous application as per which you can not apply for a specific period. But if you apply then your application will be rejected.
• Also, have a removal order from IRCC or Canada Border Service Agency.
• Besides, do not have valid temporary resident status. And are living or working in Canada.
• Finally, your proposed Business is on the list of non-qualifying businesses.

Which businesses do not qualify under this stream?

The following businesses do not qualify:

• Any business that breaks the terms of the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
• The business does not add any value to the economy of Alberta.
• Either the Business is set up to get passive investment or the applicant is not actively involved in its management.
• Business is project-based or seasonal.
• Home-based businesses
• Any business related to a succession plan. Such as:
  • A business owned/run by an applicant’s close relative.
  • The business in the past was owned/run by a former AINP applicant within 4 years.
  • Before giving the application the applicant has changed ownership in the past 3 years.
•  Businesses that are involved in explicit products/services.
• Finally, any business that will bring disrepute to AINP and the government of Alberta.