Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream – How to apply

AAIP terms and conditions

The availability of AAIP streams, categories, pathways and pilots is dependent upon application volume needs. The AAIP reserves the right to close application intake for any AAIP stream, category, pathway or pilot at any time, without prior notice. Further, the AAIP may decline to consider applications to closed or suspended streams, categories, pathways or pilots, regardless of when the applications were submitted. The criteria for the AAIP are routinely evaluated and may be subject to change at any time and without notice. Changes to the AAIP, including notice of suspension or closure of its streams and categories and criteria changes, are available at AAIP – Updates.

The AAIP is not obligated to assess or process any applications submitted. Applications to the AAIP are treated as an expression of interest, and as such, will be processed according to quality of the application (completeness and eligibility), occupational supply and demand forecasting, AAIP application volumes, and/or any other factors at the AAIP’s discretion. By applying to the AAIP, you acknowledge and agree that your application may not be processed in the order received, or at all. Further, the decision to assess/process any particular application, and the outcome of any such assessment/processing, is at the AAIP’s sole discretion.

Program criteria are eligibility minimums, and meeting program criteria does not guarantee that a candidate’s application will be assessed, processed, or granted. The AAIP may choose to assess applications with the most current criteria irrespective of the date of submission of an application.

Candidates must have a strong likelihood of becoming economically established in Alberta and the AAIP reserves the right to decline applications if the AAIP is of the opinion that the candidate may not economically establish in Alberta.

Review the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream eligibility criteria and the AAIP Terms and Conditions (Step 1 above) before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The AAIP does not guarantee that all complete Business Applications received will be assessed, or that all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be issued a nomination. Review the AAIP Terms and Conditions for complete information (see Step 1 above).

Submission of a Business Application or nomination by the AAIP does not guarantee you will be issued a permanent resident visa.

If you meet Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream criteria, you can submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) by accessing the AAIP Portal. The AAIP will review and score your EOI within 30 days of submission. Highest-ranking candidates will be invited to submit a Business Application.

For more information on the criteria used to assess EOIs, see the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Eligibility page.

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Business Application form is not available online. Only candidates who receive an invitation to submit a Business Application will be able to access the AAIP Portal to start the Business Application process.

Using the AAIP online portal

The AAIP uses an online system to submit EOI and Business Applications. You will need:

• valid email address
• access to a computer
• ability to scan and upload the required documents to the AAIP portal

AAIP online portal

Before entering your application information in the portal, read AAIP Portal Helpful Hints (PDF, 70 KB) for tips on filling out the online application.

The AAIP portal is for candidates only. You are responsible for your AAIP online portal account. Portal access is not available for third-party representatives and family members.

You must have a basic Alberta.ca Account access the portal. An Alberta.ca Account is a free online identity for accessing Government of Alberta services online. Instructions on how to create an Alberta.ca Account are in the portal and on the Alberta.ca Account website. You may also use an existing basic or verified Alberta.ca Account.

The email address used to set up your Alberta.ca Account is the email address that the AAIP will use to correspond with you. If you need to change your email address for corresponding with the AAIP, you must update your Alberta.ca Account.

You should not share your Alberta.ca Account with others, including family members and third-party representatives, as your information or documents could be modified without your knowledge or consent.

You are responsible for the information provided to the AAIP for your application. Incorrect or fraudulent information could result in your application being declined, and you could be banned from applying to the AAIP for a period of time.

Submitting an EOI

Foreign graduates can submit an EOI for the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream through the AAIP Portal. See the AAIP Business Plan (Guidelines) (PDF, 692 KB) for what to include in your business plan when submitting your EOI to the AAIP.

Once you start your EOI in the AAIP Portal, you will have 120 days to complete and submit the required documents. After 120 days, your EOI will be purged. You can submit a new EOI if you choose.

You must ensure your EOI is up to date at the time of submission, and that all your information is complete, true and correct.

There is no fee for submitting an EOI.

Once your EOI is complete, you can submit it to the AAIP by clicking the 'Submit' button in the AAIP Portal. You must ensure that your EOI’s status is 'Submitted' or it will not be reviewed by the AAIP.

Note: once your EOI is submitted, you will not be able to update it until the AAIP has reviewed and scored it, and the status is 'Eligible'. If your EOI status is 'Not Eligible' then you will not be able to update it and must submit a new EOI if you choose. The AAIP will score your EOI within 30 days of submission.

EOI pool

EOIs are placed in the pool of qualified candidates for a period of 12 months from the date of their original submission. If your EOI is not selected in this 12-month period, it will be cancelled and you will have to submit a new EOI if you choose.

While your EOI is in the pool of qualified candidates, you can update or cancel your submission by accessing the AAIP Portal. By updating or cancelling your submission, you will no longer be in the pool of qualified candidates. If you choose to resubmit, your new EOI will have a new submission date and it will be assessed against the program criteria at that time.

Candidate’s information will be assessed based on Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid and Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream mandatory minimum grid. Candidates with the highest-ranking points will be contacted directly by the AAIP and invited to submit a Business Application. Only candidates who are asked to submit a Business Application to the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream will be considered.

An EOI is not an application. There is no guarantee that if you meet the selection requirements you will receive a letter of invitation or be asked to submit a Business Application. Invitations to submit Business Applications are affected by the volume of potential candidates meeting these requirements, the type (occupation or sector) of submissions in AAIP processing queues, and the number of available nominations.

Required documents

Your EOI will include the following documents or forms:

• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
• Pitch Deck
• Letter of Recommendation from a Designated Agency
• Net Worth Worksheet
• Use of Representative form (PDF, 303 KB) – if applicable
• Spouse, Common-Law Partners and Dependants Authorization form (PDF, 242 KB)

If you receive a request to submit a Business Application, you can submit your Business Application online using the AAIP Portal. A draft of the Business Application will be created in the AAIP portal with the information you provided during your EOI. Make sure you update this information and upload all the required forms and supporting documents in the AAIP Portal and pay the $3,500 non-refundable fee.

A complete Business Application includes all of the required documents listed on the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream Business Application Document Checklist (PDF, 437 KB). If any documents are missing, your application may be declined. A complete Business Application must be submitted within 90 days of receiving the email from the AAIP requesting you to submit a Business Application.

AAIP approved designated agency and Qualified Service Provider

The following reports must be submitted with your Business Application:

1. Business Plan Evaluation Report
2. Qualified Service Provider Report

Business plan evaluation report

Your business plan must be evaluated through a business plan evaluation report completed by an AAIP approved Designated Agency. Contact the Designated Agency for Business Plan Evaluation Report as soon as you receive the request to submit a Business Application from the AAIP.

Qualified Service Provider Report

You may be required to have your net worth and business investment assessed by the Qualified Service Provider. Refer to your request to submit Business Application email, to determine if the AAIP requires you to have your net worth and business investment assessed by the Qualified Service Provider.

Contact the Qualified Service Provider for a Qualified Service Provider Report as soon as your receive the request to submit a Business Application from the AAIP. The AAIP will only accept a Qualified Service Provider Report from one of the following Qualified Service Providers:

Grant Thornton LLP
1701 Scotia Place 2
10060 Jasper Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3R8
Phone: 780-422-7114
Fax: 780-426-3208
Email: [email protected]

KPMG LLP
3100, 2005 5 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 4B9
Phone: 416-777-3887
Fax: 403-691-8008
Email: [email protected]

MNP LLP
Suite 1600, MNP Tower
10235 101 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3G1
Phone: 587-441-6021
Fax: 403-269-8450
Email: [email protected]

Only candidates who receive a request to submit a Business Application will be able to access the AAIP Portal to start Business Application process. A request to submit a Business Application will be sent by email. After logging into the AAIP portal, click on ‘Check Existing Applications'. A draft Business Application is automatically created for you. Review and update the Business Application and provide all additional required documents. Your Business Application must be current and complete.

If you do not submit your Business Application within the specified deadline, your draft will be cancelled in the AAIP portal. If you are still interested in applying to the AAIP, you will have to submit a new EOI under the relevant criteria in place at the time of submission. EOIs that are cancelled due to failure to submit a Business Application by the deadline are not eligible for a Request for Reconsideration.

The AAIP will not accept changes to an EOI submitted after the request to submit a Business Application has been sent. You may only submit a Business Application if you can demonstrate you meet criteria. You will be assessed against the criteria in place at the time your Business Application is received.

Application fee

Fee conditions

A $3,500 non-refundable fee applies to all online Business Applications.

The Business Application fee is non-refundable once a Business Application has been submitted to the AAIP. The Business Application fee covers the cost of processing your Business Application and is required whether your Business Application is approved or not. There is no guarantee you will be issued a nomination certificate.

Paying the Business Application fee

Instructions on how to pay your fee are available in the AAIP portal. For any online fee payment issues, contact the Service Alberta Contact Centre at:

Phone: 1-844-643-2788
Email: [email protected]

You will need to pay your fee within 24 hours of submitting your Business Application in the AAIP portal.

The $3,500 fee must be paid online using a single credit or debit card.

If you do not pay your fee within 24 hours of submitting your Business Application, your Business Application will be cancelled. Cancelled Business Applications cannot be reinstated. Your Business Application is linked to your EOI. If the Business Application is cancelled, you must submit a new EOI for consideration and selection.

Confirmation of Business Application receipt and payment

Check the status of your Business Application on the MyApplications page of the AAIP portal to confirm your Business Application fee has been paid:

• Your Business Application has not been accepted for processing by the AAIP and your fee has not been paid if the ‘Pay Fees’ button shows in the portal and the status of your Business Application is ‘Payment Pending’ on the MyApplications page.
• Your Business Application has been accepted for processing by the AAIP if the ‘Pay Fees’ button is not showing in the portal and the status of your Business Application on the MyApplications page in the portal is ‘Submitted’. You will also get an email from eServices with your fee payment receipt.

After you apply

Notification of Business Application

Emails from the AAIP will always come from a Government of Alberta account (@gov.ab.ca). The Alberta government does not use email accounts such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. If you receive a suspicious email, contact your local police and report the incident to the AAIP by email at [email protected].

Once you submit a complete Business Application, the AAIP Portal will automatically generate a file number. If any documents are missing, your Business Application will be declined.

If you use an immigration representative to submit your Business Application, your notification email will be sent to you and copied to your representative.

Update your information

Keep your Business Application information up to date while you wait for it to be completely assessed by an AAIP officer.

You must update the AAIP to:

• correct or update information or documents in your Business Application
• provide required updates on your contact information – address, email address or phone number – or changes to your family status
• provide any changes to your immigration status including renewed work permits, study permits or visitor records
• update your use of a representative
• request your Business Application be withdrawn

If you are requesting to withdraw your Business Application, updating your contact information (excluding email address), updating your family information or changing your representative, you must use the AAIP portal.

If you need to change your email address for corresponding with the AAIP, you must update your Alberta.ca Account.

For all other updates, you must email the updated information or change request to [email protected], along with your AAIP Business Application number. You must advise of the update or change that is required and attach the relevant documents. You will receive an automated email response indicating your email is received. Please keep track of the requests you email to the AAIP. The AAIP will update its internal system with changes.

Forms to notify the AAIP of updates

• A signed Use of Representative form (PDF, 303 KB) must be provided to change your third-party representative for your AAIP application

Withdrawing an application or updating your contact information (excluding email address), family information, employment information and representative

Complete the online request

• Log into the AAIP portal
• On the AAIP portal main page, click on 'Create New Request'.
• Find the AAIP Business Application number for the Business Application for which you want to make a request.
• Once you click on the Business Application number, you will be directed to a page with detailed information. You can only see request options that are available to you for this Business Application.
  • Withdrawal: If you are eligible to withdraw the Business Application, a blue 'Withdraw Application' button will be available above the Business Application number.
  • Update contact information: You can update contact information for all active or nominated Business Applications.
  • Update family information: You can update spouse/common-law partner and dependent information for all active and nominated Business Applications.
  • Request change of representative: You can update your representative for all Business Applications, including withdrawn and declined Business Applications.
• Click on the blue button for the type of request you want to submit.
• Next, read the FOIP clause and other important information about completing a request. Check off the box and click on 'Continue'. A draft is automatically saved once you click on the 'Continue' button. If you experience any technical issues or leave the request section while creating the request, you will need to go to the 'Check Existing Requests' page to retrieve the draft request to continue.
• Read the information provided on submitting the request and follow the instructions to complete the request.
  • Withdrawal: Once a Business Application is withdrawn, it cannot be re-activated. Enter your reason for requesting the withdrawal of the Business Application.
  • Update contact information: The current contact information the AAIP has will be displayed. Only update the information that is no longer correct. Do not delete any existing information that is correct. Include only your contact information. Do not provide anyone else’s information, including that of your third party representative.
  • Update family information: Provide details on the spouse/common-law partner and/ or dependent you need to add or remove from the Business Application and upload supporting documents.
  • Request change of representative: If you are removing a representative and representing yourself, fill out the fields as directed in the portal. If you are appointing a representative or changing from one representative to another representative, read the provided AAIP Use of Representative policy and upload a signed Use of Representative form (PDF, 303 KB). Read the instructions in the form to determine which pages must be completed for the change to representative you are requesting.
• Click on 'Submit Request' button.

The AAIP will review your request to withdraw and notify you by email after the review is completed.

We will make the changes to your contact, family, and representative information in our internal system. Changes will only be reflected in the individual requests in the Check Existing Request section in the portal. Changes to your information will not be reflected in the online Business Application.

If more information is needed

A Program Officer with the AAIP will contact you by email or phone if they require more information to assess your Business Application. You must submit this information in the format requested by the Program Officer to their government email address. The only other information you should send to your assigned Program Officer are documents showing changes to your contact information, employment, work permit status or family situation.

Once the Business Application and supporting documents are received, the AAIP will assess your Business Application. There is no guarantee that all complete Business Applications will be assessed or that all candidates who meet the criteria will be issued a nomination.

A Program Officer with the AAIP will contact you by email or phone if additional information is needed to assess your Business Application and will tell you how to send the information.

Your Business Application will be assessed against the eligibility criteria and your EOI points will be verified. To find more information on the criteria used to assess EOIs and Business Applications, see the Eligibility section.

The AAIP may contact you for more information. If you do not respond to requests for additional information, your Business Application will be declined.

If your Business Application is approved

If the AAIP deems that you have demonstrated that you meet all Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream criteria, you will be sent a Business Performance Agreement by email for your review and signature.

Your Business Performance Agreement is a legal agreement between you and the Province of Alberta. Your Business Performance Agreement will include:

• the industry sector that your business will operate within
• the term length of the agreement
• a list of other information relevant to your Business Application, including but not limited to:
  • job creation
  • business succession
  • business location

The Business Performance Agreement requirements are based upon the information you provided in your Business Application and business plan.

The AAIP does not set restrictions on the hiring of temporary residents, Canadian citizens or permanent residents for your business. However, in order to maintain eligibility under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream and be considered for nomination, candidates must demonstrate they meet the job creation criteria identified in the Business Performance Agreement for Canadian citizens, or permanent residents, and in accordance with all terms and conditions of the Business Performance Agreement.

You must sign, scan, and email your Business Performance Agreement to the AAIP within 14 days.

Once all parties have signed the Business Performance Agreement, the AAIP will provide you with a copy of the signed agreement, a Business Application Approval Letter, and a 205(a) Letter of Support. The 205(a) Letter of Support allows you to apply for a 2-year work permit to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There is no cost associated with this 205(a) Letter of support. Any subsequent 205(a) request will require a $100 service fee.

Entrepreneurs who are approved under the established businesses in Alberta criteria are not required to sign a Business Performance Agreement. These entrepreneurs will be issued a nomination certificate to apply for permanent residence to IRCC.

Apply for a work permit

A work permit is the official document issued by the Government of Canada that allows a foreign national to work legally on a temporary basis in Canada. The duration of validity for the work permit may vary at the discretion of IRCC.

You are required to submit your application for a work permit to IRCC along with your 205(a) Letter of Support within 3 months of receiving this letter. This will facilitate your arrival in Alberta within 12 months of receiving your Business Application Approval Letter.

To apply for a work permit, follow the instructions on IRCC’s website.

You must first register as an employer in IRCC’s Employer Portal as the employer of your business (self-employed person). You will need to pay an employer compliance fee but you will be exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) fee.

Issuance of a 205(a) Letter of Support does not guarantee that you will receive a work permit. Only IRCC can issue a work permit.

After receiving the work permit, you can move to Alberta to establish your business. Review the information on:

• preparing to come to Alberta
• preparing to live in Canada

If your Business Application is declined

If your Business Application is declined, you will be emailed a letter outlining reasons for decision. If you used an immigration representative, the email will be copied to your representative.

If you can demonstrate an error was made in assessing your file, you may be eligible to appeal the decision by submitting a Request for Reconsideration (see below).

Upon receiving your Business Application Approval Letter and your work permit, you must:

• reside in Alberta
• actively own and operate an eligible business in Alberta with at least 34% ownership in an urban centre or 51% ownership in a regional area for at least 12 months
• meet the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement you signed with the Government of Alberta
• demonstrate that the business is operating successfully by generating product or services after one year of operation

Once the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement have been met, submit the Final Report for Nomination.

See Step 7 below.

Candidates must:

1. Submit an Arrival Report to the AAIP within 30 days of the date that appears as the “date issued” on your work permit issued by the Government of Canada.
2. Submit a Business Progress Report to the AAIP after the end of each 6-month period from the date that appears as the “date issued” on your work permit issued by the Government of Canada. If you require more time to meet the conditions of your Business Performance Agreement, you must submit a request to make Business Performance Agreement changes.
   • The AAIP may request evidence to confirm you are meeting the conditions of your signed Business Performance Agreement. There is no guarantee that your request for Business Performance Agreement extension will be approved.

Request to extend the term of the Business Performance Agreement

Complete the online request

• Log into the AAIP portal
• On the AAIP portal main page, click on 'Create New Request'.
• Find the AAIP Business Application number for the Business Application for which you want to make a request.
• Once you click on the Business Application number, you will be directed to a page with detailed information. You can only see request options that are available to you for this Business Application.
  • Request for Business Performance Agreement Change: If you are eligible to make this request, a blue “Request for Business Performance Agreement Change” button will be available above the Business Application number.
• Click on the blue button to submit this request.
• Next, read the FOIP clause and other important information about completing a request. Check off the box and click on 'Continue'. A draft is automatically saved once you click on the 'Continue' button. If you experience any technical issues or leave the request section while creating the request, you will need to go to the 'Check Existing Requests' page to retrieve the draft request to continue.
• Read the information provided on submitting the request and follow the instructions to complete the request.
  • Enter your reason for requesting the change to Business Performance Agreement and upload any supporting document(s).
• Click on 'Submit Request' button.

The AAIP will review your request for Business Performance Agreement change and notify you by email after the review is completed.

Extending your work permit

If you need to extend your work permit to meet the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement, you must submit a Request for a 205(a) Letter of Support to the AAIP within 90 days of your work permit expiry. All requests for a 205(a) Letter of Support will be reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis. Requests for a 205(a) letter of Support are subject to a service fee of $100.

• Refer to the How to request a 205(a) Letter of Support for more information on the process and fee payment requirements.

There is no guarantee that the AAIP will issue you a 205(a) letter of support to extend your work permit. In addition, the issuance of the 205(a) Letter of Support by the AAIP does not guarantee that IRCC will extend your work permit.

Once candidates satisfy the conditions of the Business Performance Agreement, they can apply to be nominated by the AAIP for permanent residency. Candidates must submit a Final Report for Nomination along with the supporting documents.

The AAIP will assess your Final Report for Nomination and will inform you of the decision. You will be assessed based upon your compliance with your Business Performance Agreement and any other criteria in place at the time you started your Business Application process.

If your Final Report for Nomination is approved

If your Final Report for Nomination is approved, you will receive an email copy of the nomination certificate. You will need to apply for permanent residence to IRCC.

If approved for nomination, the AAIP will:

• notify Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of your nomination
• send a nomination letter to you explaining how to submit your permanent residency application to the IRCC Centralized Intake Office (CIO). You must apply for permanent residence to IRCC.

You must continue to meet the conditions of your Business Performance Agreement during the AAIP nomination assessment. If you no longer meet the conditions of your Business Performance Agreement, you will not be issued a nomination certificate and you will be declined.

You may use your nomination to renew your work permit.

A one-time nomination extension may be issued under the Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream if all nomination extension requirements are met. Request for a nomination extension is subject to a service fee of $100.

IRCC will contact you for further clarification or additional documents for your Application for Permanent Residence. If IRCC approves your application, you and your dependents will receive a Canadian permanent resident visa from IRCC.

Learn more about what to do after you are nominated.

If your Final Report for Nomination is declined

If your Final Report for Nomination is declined, you will be emailed a decision letter providing the reasons your nomination was declined. If you used an immigration representative, the email will be copied to your representative.

If you can demonstrate an error was made in assessing your file, you may be eligible to appeal the decision by submitting a request for reconsideration, see below.