Provincial Programs

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) – Entrepreneur

Scoring-ready AAIP business plans for Graduate, Foreign Graduate, Rural Entrepreneur & Farm Streams — CPA-built financials and Alberta market evidence.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers several entrepreneur-focused pathways for individuals who want to start or buy a business in Alberta and actively manage it. These streams attract investors, innovators, and graduates who can contribute to Alberta’s economic growth and diversification.

Official program portal:
👉 Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)

Program Overview

Alberta’s entrepreneur immigration streams allow qualified candidates to establish and operate a business that generates jobs, investment, and innovation. Each stream targets a specific entrepreneur profile:

  1. Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) — For international graduates from approved post-secondary institutions outside Canada who wish to launch innovative start-ups in Alberta.
  2. Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (GES) — For international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to start or operate a business in the province.
  3. Rural Entrepreneur Stream (RES) — For entrepreneurs establishing businesses in Alberta’s rural communities.
  4. Farm Stream — For experienced farmers purchasing or starting a primary production farm in Alberta.

Overview:
👉 AAIP Entrepreneur Streams Overview

Eligibility & Investment Requirements

1) Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (GES)

  • Completed at least two years of full-time study at an Alberta post-secondary institution
  • Valid Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
  • Minimum 6 months of business ownership or management experience
  • Ownership: ≥34% in urban centres, or ≥51% in regional areas
  • No fixed minimum investment; must show financial sustainability and growth potential

Details:
👉 Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

2) Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES)

  • Graduated from a post-secondary institution outside Canada within the past 10 years
  • Ownership: ≥34% (urban) or ≥51% (regional)
  • Minimum investment: CAD 100,000 (urban) or CAD 50,000 (regional)
  • At least 6 months of full-time business management or ownership experience
  • Letter of recommendation from an AAIP-designated agency (e.g., Empower Global, Platform Calgary)

Details:
👉 Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

3) Rural Entrepreneur Stream (RES)

  • Minimum net worth: CAD 300,000
  • Minimum investment: CAD 100,000 in an eligible rural business
  • Ownership: ≥51%
  • At least 3 years of business ownership or management experience
  • Community Support Letter from the local municipality

Details:
👉 Rural Entrepreneur Stream

4) Farm Stream

  • Demonstrated farm management experience and relevant education
  • Comprehensive farm business plan for primary production
  • Minimum investment: CAD 500,000
  • Proof of sufficient funds to develop the project

Details:
👉 AAIP Farm Stream

What Provincial Officers Look For

  1. Job creation for Albertans (typically ≥1 full-time position)
  2. Diversification & innovation (tech, manufacturing, green energy, agri-food, value-add)
  3. Regional development impact (esp. for rural streams)
  4. Financial feasibility with realistic revenue and cost assumptions
  5. Genuine, ongoing management by the applicant
  6. Long-term sustainability (not immigration-only intent)
  7. Clear link between your background and the proposed business

Submissions are evaluated against AAIP scoring criteria, including experience, investment, job creation, community fit, and adaptability.

Why a Strong Business Plan Is Essential

Your business plan is the core evidence in AAIP entrepreneur applications. It must show that your business:

  • Is financially viable (3–5 year P&L, cash flow, balance sheet)
  • Addresses real market demand in Alberta with defensible research
  • Will hire locally and/or drive innovation or rural growth
  • Matches your experience and capability to execute
  • Includes measurable milestones and risk mitigation

The Role of The Biz Plans

At The Biz Plans, we build AAIP-ready plans grounded in how you’ll actually operate. Assumptions are tied to execution, and models are built with CPA-level rigor.

Why us: Led by Atul Jagga, CPA (Ontario), RCIC-IRB, MBA (Finance, UBC) — 5+ years with a leading immigration law firm, 10+ years in corporate finance (incl. advisory with RBC & BMO), and 10+ years as fractional CFO. Author of the Business Plan Essentials series.

  • Stream-specific narratives (GES, FGES, RES, Farm) that align with AAIP criteria
  • 3–5 year financial models with defendable assumptions
  • Hiring & wage plans aligned to cash flow
  • Alberta-focused market sizing (primary & secondary sources)
  • Setup timelines (leases, licensing, equipment, systems)
  • Evidence checklist to support your counsel’s submission

How to Apply for AAIP Entrepreneur Streams

  1. Choose the stream that fits your profile.
    👉 AAIP Entrepreneur Overview
  2. Prepare your Expression of Interest (EOI) and gather required documents.
  3. Develop your business plan — The Biz Plans can align it with provincial standards.
  4. Submit your EOI via the online portal.
    👉 AAIP Online Portal
  5. If invited, file a complete application with supporting documentation.
  6. Attend an interview if requested; demonstrate operational readiness and investment capacity.
  7. Receive nomination and apply for permanent residence through IRCC.

Additional Resources

Ready to Build Your AAIP Business Plan?

We craft stream-specific, scoring-ready plans with CPA-built financials and Alberta-focused market evidence.

Book a Consultation Start Your AAIP Plan