Are you an experienced entrepreneur ready to start a business in Canada? Alberta's Rural Entrepreneur Stream could be your ideal pathway to Canadian permanent residency. Designed for business owners and senior managers, this program under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) helps newcomers invest in and grow businesses in rural Alberta communities.
In this guide, we'll walk you through eligibility requirements and the application process so you can take your first step toward building your future in Alberta.
Why Choose Alberta's Rural Entrepreneur Stream?
This stream attracts entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or buy an existing one in rural Alberta. A rural community is defined as one with a population under 100,000, located outside Calgary and Edmonton's metropolitan areas.
If approved, you'll receive a Letter of Support to apply for a work permit, allowing you to establish your business and later apply for permanent residency.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, you must have:
Work Experience
- Minimum 3 years as an active business owner/manager, or
- Minimum 4 years as a senior manager in the last 10 years
Education
- Minimum high school equivalent (Canadian standard) validated through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Language Skills
- Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English, or
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 4 in French
Net Worth
- At least $300,000 CAD, legally obtained
Business Investment
- Minimum $100,000 CAD from personal funds (higher investments earn more points)
Ownership
- 51% ownership for a new business, or
- 100% ownership for a business succession (full buy-out required)
Job Creation
- Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (excluding family members)
Eligible Business
Your proposed business must:
- Earn profit through active income
- Comply with Alberta's legal and licensing standards
- Operate from a physical location in a rural Alberta community
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Exploratory Visit
- Visit rural Alberta to assess the business environment and meet community leaders.
- Submit your Business Proposal Summary to a community contact.
- Receive a Community Support Letter if your proposal is endorsed.
Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Apply to the AAIP with your Community Support Letter and endorsed proposal.
- EOIs are scored based on business experience, investment, location, language, education, and Alberta ties.
- Selected applicants enter the EOI pool for 12 months.
Step 3: Submit a Business Application
- If invited, submit a complete Business Application Package within 90 days.
- The application must include a third-party assessment from an Alberta-based service provider.
Step 4: Business Assessment and Agreement
- AAIP assesses your application and may send you a Business Performance Agreement to sign.
- Once signed, you'll receive a Letter of Support to apply for a two-year work permit.
Step 5: Establish Your Business in Alberta
- Arrive in Alberta within 12 months of receiving your approval.
- Actively operate your business in the rural community for at least 12 months.
Step 6: Apply for Provincial Nomination
- After meeting all requirements in your Business Performance Agreement, submit a Final Report for Nomination.
- Once approved, you can apply for Canadian permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Why Work With an Immigration Lawyer?
Navigating Alberta's Rural Entrepreneur Stream requires careful planning and documentation. A qualified immigration lawyer can:
- Assess your eligibility
- Help prepare a strong business proposal
- Guide you through each step of the AAIP process
At Green and Spiegel, we have extensive experience helping entrepreneurs succeed in Canada's immigration programs.
Thank you to our Summer Student David Mucz for contributing to this blog.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
