AAIP - Alberta Advantage Immigration Program - Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

Updated per Alberta government sources on October 6, 2026.

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream under the AAIP is for international graduates from Alberta institutions who wish to start or purchase and operate a business directly.

Key Eligibility Requirements

• Completed at least two years of full-time study, earning a degree or diploma from an approved public post-secondary institution in Alberta.
• Hold a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the time of EOI submission.
• CLB/NCLC 7 in each skill, with results less than two years old at the time of EOI. Accepted tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada.
• Start or purchase a business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership; business partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents; reside in Alberta and be actively involved in the day-to-day management at the physical business location.
• The business must have a profit motive from the sale of goods or provision of services and meet all legal, licensing, and professional certification requirements. Franchises require support from the master franchisor.

EOI and Business Assessment

The maximum EOI score is 125. Business experience, economic benefits, investment, job creation, adaptability, and other factors may increase the likelihood of being selected. A $75,000 CAD investment is a scoring factor, not a universal minimum investment required for all applications.

Review the list of ineligible businesses, including passive investments, operations lacking value-add, seasonal or project-based businesses, and business succession conditions regarding former owners or changes in ownership. Each applicant is assessed individually; simple capital contribution does not guarantee that multiple individuals will be nominated for the same business.

Economic Establishment Guidance as of August 12, 2026

Alberta has clarified how existing requirements are assessed, without changing eligibility criteria. Beyond investment levels and ownership percentages, applicants must demonstrate the ability to directly manage a viable and sustainable business in Alberta. The file must include evidence of market analysis, cash flow, staffing and payroll plans, economic benefits, management capacity, and necessary permits. The AAIP reviews information at the EOI stage, Business Application, and during the operational and reporting phases; additional information may be requested.

Process and Application Outcomes

1. Verify eligibility and prepare a business proposal along with the stream's mandatory documentation.
2. Submit an Entrepreneur EOI; wait for AAIP selection and an invitation to submit a Business Application.
3. Submit the complete application, business plan, and required fees; if approved, execute a Business Performance Agreement (BPA) and follow appropriate work permit procedures.
4. Reside in and directly manage the business in Alberta, fulfilling operational and reporting commitments. For new businesses, a minimum of 12 months of operation is generally required, and minimum operational duration and BPA terms must be met before applying for nomination.
5. The AAIP evaluates nomination requirements; once nominated, submit for permanent residence (PR) via the IRCC's Provincial Nominee Program Non-Express Entry process while continuing to meet operational obligations.

Meeting operational time requirements does not guarantee automatic nomination. IRCC processing times vary; do not rely on 12–18 month estimates as a commitment. Applicants who have already owned and operated an eligible business for at least one year immediately prior to the EOI are subject to specific regulations and are not necessarily required to operate for an additional year after AAIP submission.

The total AAIP allocation for 2026 was increased to 6,603 nominations on August 10, 2026. This represents the total program allocation, not the remaining spots or stream-specific quotas. Please refer to Alberta’s processing website for stream-specific allocations and queues.

KeyApply Services

KeyApply provides assistance with eligibility assessments, business plan development where appropriate, and application coordination. Consultation and immigration representation are handled by an RCIC or lawyer. Applicants are responsible for executing the business or operational tasks and meeting their own commitments. You may call, email, or message through the KeyApply.com website to schedule an assessment.

Official Source: Alberta.ca – Program eligibility; AAIP updates.

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