Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream
The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream is an Alberta Advantage Immigration Program pathway designed for recent, foreign-educated graduates who want to launch innovative start-ups in Alberta and earn a provincial nomination for permanent residence. Through a partnership with approved designated agencies, candidates receive a detailed business assessment, submit a scored Expression of Interest (EOI) and, if invited, file a full Business Application. Successful applicants sign a Business Performance Agreement, secure a work permit and actively operate their venture before applying to IRCC for PR. This targeted, points-based stream supports sectors such as technology, life sciences and agriculture
Who Can Apply?
You are eligible if you:
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Hold a foreign post-secondary degree (completed within the last 10 years) with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report demonstrating Canadian equivalency
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Have ≥6 months of full-time experience managing or owning a start-up—or equivalent incubator/accelerator participation
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Obtain a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency after submitting your business concept
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Demonstrate CLB 5 (or NCLC 5) in all language skills via an approved test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, TCF Canada)
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Commit a minimum investment of CAD 100,000 in an urban centre (Edmonton/Calgary) or CAD 50,000 in a regional community.
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Hold ≥34 % ownership of the new start-up in an urban centre (≥51 % in a regional area) with co-owners, if any, Canadian citizens or PRs
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Show settlement funds based on Low Income Cut-Offs to support yourself (and family) for at least six months while establishing your business
How Does the Application Process Work?
The application process for the Atlantic Immigration Program is straightforward
1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Register at the AAIP portal, complete your EOI with business plan and pitch deck, upload your letter of recommendation and net worth worksheet. Pay the CAD 200 fee—non-refundable—and submit within 120 days
2. Get Invited to Apply
EOIs are scored within 30 days. Top-scoring candidates receive an invitation email to submit a full Business Application
3. File Your Business Application
In the portal, update your draft, upload supporting documents (Business Plan Evaluation Report, Qualified Service Provider Report, Use of Representative and Dependent Authorization forms) and pay the CAD 3,500 non-refundable fee. Submit within 90 days of invitation
4. Sign Business Performance Agreement & Apply for Work Permit
Upon approval, sign a legally binding agreement outlining milestones. Use your letter of support to apply for a 205(a) work permit through IRCC’s Employer Portal
5. Establish & Operate
Arrive in Alberta, actively manage your start-up with required ownership levels, submit an Arrival Report within 30 days of your work permit and Business Progress Reports every six months
6. Receive Nomination & Apply for PR
After meeting your performance milestones (typically 12–20 months), submit a Final Report to the AAIP, receive your nomination certificate and apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
Application Fee and Processing Time
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EOI fee: CAD 200, scored within 30 days of submission
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Business Application fee: CAD 3,500, payable within 24 hours of submission.
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EOI pool validity: 12 months; unselected EOIs expire and must be resubmitted.
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Federal PR fees: CAD 1,525 (application CAD 950 + right of PR CAD 575) + CAD 85 biometrics per person.
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Provincial processing: depends on application volume; monitor your AAIP portal for status updates.
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IRCC processing: 80 % of complete PNP applications are processed in 19 months (non-Express Entry)
Required Documents
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Valid Passport -
Education Credential Assessment -
Language Test Results -
Proof of Work Experience -
Endorsement Certificate From an Atlantic Province -
Proof of Settlement Funds
Official Application Page
For detailed information and to start your application process, visit the official;
🔗 Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – Alberta.ca
🔗 Eligibility & Requirements alberta.ca
🔗 How to Apply – AAIP Portal alberta.ca
🔗 Checklist (PDF) alberta.ca
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the stream’s focus?
It nominates foreign-educated graduates who launch innovative start-ups in Alberta and meet investment, ownership and performance criteria
How do I start my EOI?
Sign in at the AAIP portal, upload your business plan, pitch deck, letter of recommendation and net worth worksheet, then pay CAD 200
Which documents are required for EOI?
EOI submission needs: business plan, pitch deck, letter of recommendation, net worth worksheet, Use of Representative and Dependent Authorization forms (if applicable)
Can I update my EOI?
Yes—before AAIP review, within 120 days—after scoring, you must submit a new EOI to make changes
What happens after nomination?
You sign a Business Performance Agreement, report progress to AAIP, then apply to IRCC for PR within six months of nomination .
How long until I get PR?
After nomination, federal PR processing for PNP streams averages 19 months; check IRCC’s tool for current times
