Why Alberta?
- No provincial sales tax, keeping business and living costs relatively low
- Calgary and Edmonton are major Canadian hubs for technology, energy and finance
- The province works with designated agencies that coach and connect newcomer entrepreneurs
Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream at a glance
| Item | Calgary/Edmonton | Elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | CAD 100,000 | CAD 50,000 |
| Minimum ownership | 34% | 51% |
- Education: a degree completed outside Canada within the last 10 years, with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Experience: at least 6 months of full-time business ownership, management or incubator experience
- Language: CLB 5 or above
- Recommendation: a letter from an Alberta-designated agency
- Sectors: technology, aerospace, financial services, energy, agriculture, tourism, life sciences or pharmaceuticals
The process in brief
Expression of Interest → Business Application once invited → Business Performance Agreement and a two-year work permit to run the business for at least 12 months → provincial nomination → permanent residence.
See our full guide to the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream for each step.