A Step-By-Step Guide to AAIP Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream

Immigrate to Alberta, Canada as a foreign entrepreneur through Alberta’s AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream. Check your eligibility today.

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Entrepreneurs are vital to Alberta’s economy, as they use their skills and initiative to foresee needs and create opportunities for permanent residents and citizens. Entrepreneurs who succeed in taking on the risks of starting a business are rewarded with earnings and chances for continued expansion.

The Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream caters to foreign entrepreneurs and business people who wish to start or purchase a business in specific rural Alberta communities and obtain Canada PR by investment. This definition of “rural” refers to communities under 100,000. This entrepreneur program aims to stimulate the economy and create jobs in Alberta’s smaller communities.

Who is eligible for Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream?

The Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream’s eligibility requirements are as follows:

Work Experience (within last 10 years)

Applicants must possess a minimum of three years of experience as business owners or at least four years in a senior management role. This experience must be gained within the last ten years.

Education

Applicants must have completed high school. They will also be required to prove their foreign education is equivalent to Canadian high school education using an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

Net Worth

Applicants must possess a minimum net worth of $300,000 CAD. This can be shown in the form of assets as long as they are holdings belonging to the applicant or their common-law partner or spouse.

Minimum Investment

The applicant must invest a minimum of $200,000 CAD. Contributing a higher amount can help them score additional points in their application.

Business Ownership Amount

Applicants who are setting up a new business must maintain an ownership share of 51% or higher.
Their partners must also be Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents.
Applicants who are purchasing an existing business must have 100% ownership.

Job Creation

The business must create a minimum of one job for Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents. Entrepreneurs can receive additional points on their application if the business creates more than one job.

Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate their language proficiency in English or French by scoring CLB level 4 or higher on a recognized language test.

Community Support Letter

Applicants are required to obtain a Community Support Letter from the community they have chosen.

Alberta Rural Entrepreneur Stream: Application Process

The application process for the Alberta’s AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream is as follows:

Stage 1

Research & Preparation
Registration
Application

Stage 2

Work Permit Before Arriving in Alberta
Nomination
Permanent Residence

Stage One

1. Research & Preparation

Applicants must first determine if they are eligible for the AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream by reviewing the requirements mentioned above. They must then visit the rural Alberta community they have chosen.

Note that some applicants may need to acquire a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter the country for this visit.

During the visit, the entrepreneur can learn about business opportunities in the community as well as information on business licenses, zoning requirements, and business operation restrictions.

They can then provide a summary of their Business Proposal to a contact in the community. If the community members endorse the business proposal, they will provide the applicant with a Community Support Letter.

2. Registration

Once applicants receive their Community Support Letter, they can apply for an Expression of Interest (EOI) online using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal.

Note that this EOI is not an application for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream. It simply indicates the applicant’s interest in applying for the program.

If the candidate meets the eligibility requirements described above, they will be placed in the EOI pool. The AAIP then selects candidates with the highest eligibility score and sends them a Request to Submit a Business Application.

3. Application

Candidates will then have ninety days to complete this application and provide all supporting documents. This process will be completed online at the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Portal.
The AAIP will then review the application before making a decision. They may invite the applicant for an in-person or online video interview in some cases.
If the AAIP approves the application, they will present the applicant with a Business Performance Agreement that details the terms and conditions they must meet after establishing or purchasing their business.
The candidate must sign this agreement and send a scanned copy within fourteen days. The AAIP will then provide them with a Business Application Approval Letter and a Letter of Support.

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Stage Two

4. Work Permit

Candidates can use the Letter of Support to apply for a temporary work permit. This work permit allows them to carry out business activities in the country. Entrepreneurs and business people are required to submit an Arrival Report within 30 days of arriving in the province. They must then operate their business in accordance with the Business Performance Agreement and submit a Business Progress Report after every 6 months.

5. Nomination

Once the candidate has operated their business for one year and has satisfied the terms and conditions in their Business Performance Agreement, they can apply for a permanent resident nomination via the AAIP by submitting a Final Report for Nomination.

If the AAIP approves the Final Report, they will issue a nomination certificate. Applicants can then use this certificate to apply for permanent resident status with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

6. Permanent Residency

Candidates must ensure their work permit remains valid while IRCC makes their decision. They may ask for additional supporting documents before choosing to grant the applicant permanent residence.

How ELAAR can help you?

Prospective entrepreneurs and business people who wish to apply for the Alberta Entrepreneur Immigration Program streams should get in touch with us. Our team of Regulated Immigration Consultants is familiar with each of these programs and can help optimize your application and improve your chances of receiving a provincial nomination. Start your entrepreneurial journey in Alberta with Elaar Immigration.