The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is part of Alberta’s Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). It is for foreign-educated graduates (outside Canada) who want to launch a start-up or innovative business in Alberta and later apply for permanent residence after Alberta nominates them.
This is not the federal “Start-Up Visa Program.” This is an Alberta provincial nomination pathway with an EOI pool, business requirements, and a work permit stage. Meeting minimum rules does not guarantee an invitation or nomination.
Who can apply (mandatory minimums)
Alberta uses a points grid, but it also has mandatory minimums you must meet.
1) Education (foreign degree + ECA)
You must have a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada, completed within the last 10 years, and you must have an ECA showing it is equivalent to a Canadian degree.
2) Language (CLB/NCLC 5)
Minimum CLB 5 (or NCLC 5) in all four skills. Test results must be less than 2 years old at EOI submission. Alberta lists accepted tests (CELPIP, IELTS GT, PTE, TEF Canada, TCF Canada).
3) Business ownership and partners
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Minimum ownership: 34% if your business is in an urban centre (Edmonton/Calgary CMA) or 51% if in a regional area (outside Edmonton/Calgary CMA).
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Business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
4) Investment (before you come to Alberta)
You must show the ability to invest at least:
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$100,000 in an urban centre, or
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$50,000 in a regional area.
5) Letter of recommendation (designated agency)
You must have a letter of recommendation from an AAIP-approved designated agency and include it in your EOI.
6) Settlement funds (LICO-based)
You must show settlement funds based on Statistics Canada Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO), and the required amount depends on your family size and the community size where you plan to set up the business (funds for at least 6 months).
7) Key sectors (mandatory)
Your business plan or pitch deck must show the business is connected to one of Alberta’s listed sectors, such as technology, aerospace, financial services, energy, agriculture, tourism, life sciences, pharmaceuticals.
Two situations Alberta mentions: new start-up vs established business in Alberta
Alberta also describes how the stream can apply to foreign graduates who already own and operate a business in Alberta. In that case, the business must have operated in Alberta for at least 1 year immediately before submitting the EOI.
This matters because the process and timing can look different from a “brand new” start-up.
Step-by-step process (EOI → business application → work permit → nomination)
Step 1: Submit your EOI in the AAIP Portal
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You have 120 days to complete and submit your EOI once you start it (after that, the draft is purged).
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Alberta scores your EOI within 30 days of submission.
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You must pay the $200 EOI fee (non-refundable) and pay it within 24 hours or your EOI is cancelled.
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EOIs stay in the pool for 12 months if not selected.
Required EOI uploads include: business plan, pitch deck, letter of recommendation, net worth worksheet, and forms if applicable.
Step 2: Invitation to submit a Business Application
If invited, you can access the Business Application process in the portal. Alberta says you must submit a complete Business Application within 90 days of the invitation email.
Step 3: Submit the Business Application + pay $3,500
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Business Application fee is $3,500 (non-refundable).
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Alberta requires a Business Plan Evaluation Report completed by an AAIP approved Designated Agency.
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Alberta may also require a Qualified Service Provider Report depending on your invitation email (net worth / investment assessment).
Step 4: Business Performance Agreement + 205(a) Letter of Support
If your Business Application is approved, Alberta provides:
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the signed Business Performance Agreement
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a Business Application Approval Letter
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a 205(a) Letter of Support to apply for a 2-year work permit
Step 5: Apply for the work permit (important details)
Alberta states:
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you must apply to IRCC within 3 months of receiving the 205(a) letter
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you must register as an employer in IRCC’s Employer Portal and pay the employer compliance fee (Alberta notes you are exempt from the LMIA fee)
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the 205(a) letter does not guarantee IRCC will issue the work permit
Step 6: Operate the business and report progress
After your work permit is issued, Alberta requires you to:
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submit an Arrival Report within 30 days
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submit Business Progress Reports every 6 months based on the “date issued” on the work permit
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own and operate the business with the required ownership (34% urban / 51% regional) for at least 12 months
Step 7: Final Report for Nomination → nomination → PR
Once you meet your agreement, you submit a Final Report for Nomination. Alberta will assess it and decide on nomination.
After nomination, Alberta says you must apply for permanent residence within 6 months (nomination validity), and Alberta may withdraw a nomination if conditions are not met.
IRCC makes the final PR decision.
Fees (AAIP + IRCC)
AAIP fees
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EOI fee: $200
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Business Application fee: $3,500
IRCC fees (after nomination, PR stage)
IRCC lists $1,525 for many economic PR applications (processing $950 + right of PR fee $575).
Internal guidance (Canadianow)
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If you graduated from an Alberta college/university (not foreign education), check AAIP Graduate Entrepreneur Stream instead. It is a different stream.
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Do not pay anyone “job offer fees.” Alberta warns that employer fees for a job offer are illegal.
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Plan your timeline around deadlines: 120 days (EOI draft), 24 hours (EOI payment), 90 days (Business Application), 3 months (work permit application).
FAQ
Is this a “Start-Up Visa” program?
No. The official AAIP name is Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream. It is a provincial nomination pathway.
Do I need a letter of recommendation?
Yes, from an AAIP-approved designated agency.
What’s the minimum investment?
$100,000 (urban centre) or $50,000 (regional area), before coming to Alberta.
How long is my EOI valid?
Alberta keeps EOIs in the pool for 12 months from submission.
What happens after nomination?
You must apply for PR within 6 months, and you must keep status in Canada while PR is processed.
Reality check
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This stream is competitive. Alberta clearly says meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee your application will be assessed, invited, or nominated.
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The approval letter is not a nomination. You must still run the business, report progress, and meet the agreement before Alberta nominates you.
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PR is never guaranteed. IRCC makes the final PR decision after medical, security, and criminal checks.
AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (main):
https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-foreign-graduate-entrepreneur-stream
Eligibility (CLB 5, ECA degree, investment, settlement funds):
https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-foreign-graduate-entrepreneur-stream-eligibility
How to apply (EOI 120 days, $200 fee, 90-day business application, $3,500 fee, work permit steps):
https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-foreign-graduate-entrepreneur-stream-how-to-apply
After you are nominated (PR within 6 months, progress report, nomination risks):
https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-foreign-graduate-entrepreneur-stream-after-you-are-nominated
AAIP application streams (shows the stream list):
https://www.alberta.ca/aaip-application-streams
IRCC Employer Portal (sign-in + info):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/partners-service-providers/employer-portal.html
Employer Portal user guide (compliance fee info):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/partners-service-providers/employer-portal/user-guide.html
IRCC fee list:
https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp
IRCC Provincial Nominee PR guide (IRCC makes final decision):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-p7000-application-permanent-residence-provincial-nominee-class.html
IRCC BOWP (after you apply for PR + AOR):
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/pr-work-permits/bridging.html
IRCC processing times tool:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
