Hong Kong
Taiwan
VietnamWho can apply?
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Education | A degree from outside Canada within the last 10 years, with an ECA |
| Experience | At least 6 months of full-time business ownership, management or incubator/accelerator experience |
| Language | CLB/NCLC 5 in English or French |
| Recommendation | A letter from a provincially designated agency |
Investment and ownership
| Calgary/Edmonton | Elsewhere | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | CAD 100,000 | CAD 50,000 |
| Minimum ownership | 34% | 51% |
Funds can come from your or your spouse’s own equity, or a recognised Canadian financial institution, venture capital fund or angel investor.
Eligible sectors
Technology, aerospace, financial services, energy, agriculture, tourism, life sciences and pharmaceuticals.
Seven steps
- Prepare a business plan and a 10-minute pitch deck
- Obtain a designated agency’s recommendation letter
- Submit an Expression of Interest (CAD 200), invited on a 200-point grid
- File the Business Application within 90 days (CAD 3,500)
- Sign the Business Performance Agreement and run the business for at least 12 months on a two-year work permit
- Submit the final report and receive a provincial nomination
- Apply for permanent residence
Why Alberta?
- No provincial sales tax, keeping costs lower
- Calgary and Edmonton are technology, energy and finance hubs
- A lower threshold outside the big cities