Business due diligence
Before you buy an existing business, we help review its accounts, lease and operations, so you do not buy an unhealthy business just to immigrate.
Canadian entrepreneur immigration
Alberta AAIP Rural Entrepreneur
Start or buy a business in a rural Alberta community, then apply for Canadian permanent residence once nominated by the province.
Programme overview
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is for entrepreneurs who want to run a business in a rural Alberta community. You need a support letter from a participating community, then start or buy a business there on a work permit; once you meet the requirements you are nominated by the province and apply for permanent residence.
Dedicated professional team · Mandarin, Cantonese and English · Reply within one working day
InvestmentCAD 100,000
Net worthCAD 300,000
Community supportSupport letter from a participating community
FamilySpouse and dependent children
Summary
The AAIP Rural Entrepreneur Stream requires a personal net worth of at least CAD 300,000 and an investment of at least CAD 100,000 to start or buy a business in a rural Alberta community. You need a community support letter, and after running the business for a period you can be nominated by the province and apply for permanent residence.
Key benefits of AAIP Rural Entrepreneur
- One of Canada’s lowest capital thresholds for entrepreneurs
- Canadian permanent residence for the whole family
- Alberta has no provincial sales tax
- Children receive local education
Why Global Immigrate for AAIP Rural Entrepreneur
- families approved
- 16+
- approval rate
- 95%
- offering this programme since
- 2021
Local team support
Our Toronto office helps with site visits, opening the business and compliance while you operate it, with regular performance check-ins.
Business plan and performance agreement
We prepare your business plan against the official scoring criteria and make sure your performance targets are realistic.
Planning beyond immigration
GI Group’s teams can handle pre-immigration tax, asset allocation, your children’s education and overseas property at the same time, so the arrangements never conflict.
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Requirements
None
- Personal net worth of at least CAD 300,000
- An investment of at least CAD 100,000 in a rural community, creating at least one full-time job
- A support letter from a participating community
- At least three years’ experience as a business owner, or four years as a senior manager
- Language at CLB 4 or above, and at least secondary-school education (with an educational credential assessment)
Free AAIP Rural Entrepreneur brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and community visit1–3 monthsWe assess your eligibility, choose a community and arrange an exploratory visit.
- Community support and applicationBy invitationObtain the community support letter, submit an expression of interest and apply once invited.
- Work permit and running the businessAt least 12 monthsStart or buy the business on a work permit and run it yourself for at least 12 months.
- Nomination and permanent residenceDepends on progressOnce you meet the performance requirements, you are nominated by the province and apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
AAIP Rural Entrepreneur client stories
“We chose a small Alberta town to open a restaurant. Our consultant contacted the community for us and the support letter came quickly.”
Work permit granted and the business opened.
Mr Chen, Taipei“The capital threshold is lower than in other provinces — ideal for a small family like ours.”
Nominated by the province once the requirements were met.
Ms Huang, Taichung“Their assessment of local businesses was very down to earth — they steered me away from a shop with unclear accounts.”
Bought a suitable business and was nominated by the province.
Mr Chiu, Hong KongAAIP Rural EntrepreneurFAQ
Does the business have to be in a rural area?
Yes. It must be in a community with a population under 100,000 outside the Calgary and Edmonton metropolitan areas; cities such as Red Deer and Lethbridge also qualify.
Do I have to run the business myself?
Yes. You must be actively involved in day-to-day management and live in the community.
Can my whole family move with me?
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can be included in the application.
Sources
GI GroupAfter your new status: tax, succession, education and overseas property
Explore group services
Your tax residency, asset structure and succession arrangements matter most before you move. GI Group can handle tax planning, asset management and wealth succession, your children’s education overseas, and buying a home or investment property in your new country.
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