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Alberta AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream
Launch an innovative business in Alberta with a degree from outside Canada, and your whole family can apply for Canadian permanent residence after a year of operation.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES) is a collaboration between the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and approved designated agencies, for people with a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada who want to launch a start-up or innovative business in Alberta. You first obtain a letter of recommendation from a designated agency, then compete for an invitation through a points-based Expression of Interest (EOI). Once approved, you sign a Business Performance Agreement, run the business in Alberta on a two-year work permit for at least 12 months and, once you meet its terms, are nominated for permanent residence.
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InvestmentFrom CAD 50,000
EducationDegree from outside Canada (within 10 years)
LanguageCLB 5 or above
FamilySpouse and dependent children
Summary
FGES requires a degree completed outside Canada within the last 10 years (with an Educational Credential Assessment), at least 6 months of full-time business ownership, management or incubator/accelerator experience, and CLB 5 language ability. The business must be in technology, aerospace, financial services, energy, agriculture, tourism, life sciences or pharmaceuticals: in the Calgary or Edmonton metropolitan areas you invest at least CAD 100,000 and own at least 34%; elsewhere you invest at least CAD 50,000 and own at least 51%. You need a letter of recommendation from a designated agency, a business plan and a 10-minute pitch deck.
Key benefits of AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur
- Degrees from outside Canada acceptedYour degree can be from outside Canada (within the last 10 years, with an ECA); no Canadian study needed.
- Invest from CAD 50,000CAD 50,000 outside Calgary and Edmonton; CAD 100,000 in the two metro areas.
- No minimum net worthAlberta sets no net-worth threshold, only settlement funds; job creation earns points but is not a minimum requirement.
- Two-year work permit in AlbertaOnce approved, the province's 205(a) letter lets you apply for a work permit of up to two years; children can attend local schools.
- Nomination after 12 monthsRun the business for at least 12 months and meet your Business Performance Agreement, then apply for nomination.
- PR for the whole familyOnce nominated, your spouse and dependent children under 22 apply for permanent residence with you.
Why Global Immigrate for AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur
- families approved
- 16+
- approval rate
- 95%
- offering this programme since
- 2021
Canada team support
Our Canada team 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.
Requirements
Investment options
Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.
- Elsewhere in AlbertaCAD 50,000Business investment
- At least 51% ownership
- Calgary / EdmontonCAD 100,000Business investment
- At least 34% ownership
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- A degree completed outside Canada within the last 10 years, with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- At least 6 months of full-time business ownership, management or incubator/accelerator experience
- CLB/NCLC 5 or above in English or French (results less than two years old)
- A business in technology, aerospace, financial services, energy, agriculture, tourism, life sciences or pharmaceuticals
- A letter of recommendation from a designated agency, plus a business plan and 10-minute pitch deck
- Sufficient settlement funds, based on family size and community population
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.
Calgary/Edmonton and regional areas compared
| Item | Calgary/Edmonton metropolitan areas | Regional areas |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | CAD 100,000 | CAD 50,000 |
| Minimum ownership | 34% | 51% |
| Business partners | Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents | Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents |
| Source of investment | Your or your spouse’s own equity, or a recognised Canadian financial institution, venture capital or angel investor | Your or your spouse’s own equity, or a recognised Canadian financial institution, venture capital or angel investor |
You must also show settlement funds — for example about CAD 24,084 for a family of four in Calgary or Edmonton. EOIs are scored out of 200 points. Subject to the Government of Alberta’s latest announcements.
Free AAIP Foreign Graduate 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 business plan1–2 monthsWe confirm your education and experience, choose an eligible sector, and prepare the business plan and pitch deck.
- Designated agency recommendationPer the agencyPresent your plan to a designated agency and obtain its letter of recommendation.
- EOI and Business ApplicationBy points-based invitationSubmit an Expression of Interest (CAD 200); once invited, file the Business Application within 90 days (CAD 3,500).
- Work permit and running the businessAt least 12 monthsSign the Business Performance Agreement, move to Alberta on a two-year work permit and report progress every six months.
- Nomination and permanent residenceOnce terms are metSubmit the Final Report for Nomination, then apply to the federal government for permanent residence.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Work permitApply for a work permit of up to two years with the province’s 205(a) letter
Move to Canada on a work permit to start or buy the business; an eligible spouse can get an open work permit (since 21 January 2025 you must work in a TEER 0/1 or selected TEER 2/3 job with at least 16 months left on your permit, and dependent children no longer qualify for one), and children can study locally.
While on this statusWhile on the work permit you must actively manage the business in Alberta
- Permanent residenceFederal PR after provincial nomination
After 12 months of operation and meeting the performance requirements, you are nominated and apply for federal PR (usually about 3 years in total; unofficial estimate, depending on processing); your family receives Canadian permanent residence.
Keeping permanent statusAt least 730 days (2 years) physically in Canada in any 5-year period; the days need not be continuous
- Canadian citizenshipAbout 3 years after PR
Apply to become a Canadian citizen and get a Canadian passport; ages 18–54 must show English or French and pass the citizenship test. Canada allows dual citizenship.
Residence for citizenshipAt least 1,095 days (3 years) physically in Canada in the 5 years before applying, filing taxes for 3 of those years
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur client stories
Client storyAn AI software idea wins a designated agency’s recommendation, and a tech company in Calgary
Mr Chan’s AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur experience. He wanted to start a technology company in Alberta.
Read the full storyClient storyAn agri-tech project under Alberta’s Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur StreamMr Chien’s AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur experience. He wanted to launch an agri-tech business in Alberta and apply for permanent residence with his family.
Read the full storyClient storyOpening outside Edmonton with CAD 50,000, then provincial nominationMs Wong’s AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur experience. She wanted to start a business in Alberta at a lower investment threshold.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Canada
See the Canada overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration | From CAD 200,000 (Regional CAD 100,000) | Permanent resident | About 4 years from registration to PR | Running a business in British Columbia, including around Vancouver |
| Alberta AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur StreamThis programme | CAD 100,000 (CAD 50,000 outside Calgary/Edmonton) | Permanent resident | Nomination after at least 12 months of operation | Graduates with a degree from outside Canada launching an innovative business |
| New Brunswick NB Business Immigration | CAD 150,000 | Permanent resident | Depends on invitation and business progress | A lower cost of living and a slower pace of life |
| Canada Federal Start-up Visa (SUV) | No investment requirement | Permanent resident | Paused for new applications | Clients who have already filed and need support with work permits and requests for information |
AAIP Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur FAQ
I studied at a university in Hong Kong or Taiwan — can I apply?
Yes. This stream is specifically for people with degrees from outside Canada; the degree must be completed within the last 10 years, equivalent to a Canadian degree and assessed (ECA).
What is a designated agency?
An organisation approved by Alberta that evaluates your business plan, issues the letter of recommendation and coaches you after launch.
Can the investment come from financing?
Yes. It can come from your or your spouse’s own equity, or from a recognised Canadian financial institution, venture capital or angel investor; the initial investment must be made within the first 12 months of launching.
Do I need to hire staff?
Job creation is not mandatory but earns extra points; if your Business Performance Agreement includes jobs, they must go to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Do I have to run the business myself?
Yes. You must live in Alberta and manage the business day to day — not remotely or from another province.
I already run a business in Alberta — can I apply?
Yes. If the business has operated in Alberta for at least a year and meets the criteria, you can be nominated without operating for a further year.
Sources
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