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COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
Find out if you meet the criteria to apply to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s Rural Entrepreneur Stream.
Prioritizing applications for Ukrainians
Temporary processing measures are now in place for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) for Ukrainian nationals who apply to the program. Find out how the AAIP is responding to the crisis in Ukraine.
COVID-19 response
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) continues to accept and process applications and Expressions of Interest (EOIs), with temporary adjustments to some application and assessment processes.
Find out how the AAIP is responding to COVID-19.
The Rural Entrepreneur Stream allows Alberta to nominate qualified and capable entrepreneurs who want to start a new or buy an existing business in a rural Alberta community.
An entrepreneur is a person who sets up a business with the aim to make a profit. An entrepreneur is commonly seen as an innovator, a source of new ideas, goods, services, and business/or procedures.
Entrepreneurs play a key role in Alberta’s economy, using their skills and initiative to anticipate needs and create jobs for Albertans. Entrepreneurs who prove to be successful in taking on the risks of establishing a business are rewarded with profits and continued growth opportunities.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) defines rural Alberta communities as any community with a population of less than 100,000. The AAIP uses the most recent census from Statistics Canada to determine a community’s population. In addition, the community must be outside of the Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area. More information can be found at:
Candidates interested in a specific rural Alberta community should connect with the community contact person to discuss their business proposal and schedule an exploratory visit. Each community will have their own process for scheduling an exploratory visit. Communities reserve the right to meet only with potential entrepreneurs whom they deem as a fit.
The following rural Alberta communities are currently participating in the Rural Entrepreneur Stream. When contacting a community, use only the contact details listed in each community’s profile. Communities not listed here but wanting to participate can submit the Community Enrolment Form to their workforce consultant.
The following rural communities are participating in the Rural Entrepreneur Stream:
Table 1. Rural Entrepreneur Stream communities and contacts
Community | Contact |
---|---|
County of Wetaskiwin | Joan Miller Director of Economic Development Phone: 780-355-5334 Email: [email protected] |
Red Deer County | Tara Logan Business Development Officer Phone: 403-357-2398 Email: [email protected] |
City of Brooks | Lisa Tiffin Manager of Community Development Phone: 403-362-3333 Email: [email protected] |
City of Wetaskiwin | Raelene Coffey Economic Development Manager Phone: 780-361-4420 Email: [email protected] |
City of Lacombe | Paula Law Economic Development Officer Phone: 403-506-4223 Email: [email protected] |
Lacombe County | Monica Bartman Economic Development Officer Phone: 403-782-8389 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Blackfalds | Christopher Johnson Economic Development Officer Phone: 403-885-6246 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Didsbury | Alexandra Ross Economic Development Officer Phone: 403-818-1892 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Millet | Joan Miller Director of Economic Development Phone: 780-355-5334 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Olds | Sandra Blyth Economic Development Officer Phone: 403-507-4839 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Sedgewick | Jim Fedyk Chief Administrative Officer Phone: 403-384-3504 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Stettler | Byron Geddes Executive Director of Board of Trades Phone: 403-742-3181 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Three Hills | Ryan Leuzinger Chief Administrative Officer Phone: 403-443-5822 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Trochu | Jamie Collins Administrative Assistant Phone: 403-442-3085 Email: [email protected] |
Town of Wainwright | Carley Herbert Economic Development Officer Phone: 403-842-3381 Email: [email protected] |
Village of Clive | Carla Kenney Chief Administrative Officer Phone: 403-784-3366 Email: [email protected] |
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian government has implemented travel restrictions for air and land travel. Given the travel restrictions, the AAIP recognizes that entrepreneurs may not be able to travel to Alberta to conduct the in-person exploratory visit. For this reason, web-based video conferencing will be accepted at this time. Candidates will be required to submit an Exploratory Visit Report with the Business Application whether the visit was conducted in-person or by web-based video conferencing.
Candidates coming on an exploratory visit need to meet visa requirements to be able to come to Alberta. The AAIP and the community will not provide you with a letter of support to obtain a visa for the exploratory visit.
Prior to coming to Alberta for the exploratory visit, we recommend candidates research current market opportunities in the community, licensing and registration requirements, and steps involved in establishing a business in Alberta. The exploratory visit will provide you with the opportunity to meet with local business contacts, economic development officers from the community as well as any other prospective contacts to learn and understand the local business environment, and requirements to build a successful business in the community. The purpose of the exploratory visit is to assist you in making an informed decision about operating and managing a business in a rural Alberta community. Keep records of the trip, including any contacts and meetings, as this information will be needed for the Exploratory Visit Report.
The Exploratory Visit Report must include the following information:
After the exploratory visit, provide a copy of the complete Rural Entrepreneur Stream Business Proposal Summary to the community contact person. This allows the community to reaffirm the discussions during the exploratory visit. The Business Proposal Summary provides information on the business venture in the community. If the community deems that you and your business proposal is a benefit to the community, a Community Support Letter will be issued, and the community will endorse the Business Proposal Summary. The Community Support Letter and endorsement of the Business Proposal Summary ensures the community is aware and supportive of the business, and supports your retention in Alberta. The community may provide you with additional information on contacts and support available for you to transition into the community upon arrival.
After receiving a copy of the Community Support Letter and endorsed Business Proposal Summary from the community, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the AAIP.
To be eligible for this stream, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Table 2. Requirements for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream
Area | Requirements |
---|---|
Work experience | Have either a minimum 3 years of experience as an active business owner/manager or a minimum of 4 years of experience as a senior manager within the past 10 years. |
Education | Completed a minimum of high school equivalent to the Canadian standard with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website lists the designated organizations for ECAs |
Language | Have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 4 for each English language skill or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) of 4 for each French language skill: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Official test results must be less than 2 years old at the time your Expression of Interest is submitted. The AAIP only accepts the following language tests:
Check the IRCC website on CLB/NCLC equivalency for each of the tests. |
Net worth | Minimum net worth of $300,000. All assets must be candidate’s own personal holdings or spouse's or common-law partner’s. |
Business investment | Minimum investment of $200,000 from candidate’s own (and/or spouse/common-law partner) equity. Higher levels of investment will be awarded more points. |
Business establishment | Minimum ownership of 51% for a new business. Business Partners must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents.
OR 100% ownership for business succession (the succession buy-out must result in a complete change in ownership where the candidate will assume full control of the business). Business must not be on the list of ineligible businesses. Resources on how to establish a business in Alberta, including supports and services related to business plan development, business start-up, and business loans are available on the Small business resource page. |
Job creation | New businesses must create at least one full-time job for Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (not including relatives).
More job creation will be awarded more points. Jobs must be created for Canadian citizens or permanent residents (not including relatives) for a period of at least 6 months. For business succession, job creation is not required. |
Community support letter | Candidates must have a Community Support Letter from a participating rural Alberta community. |
If candidates have one or more of the factors in Table 3, this may increase their likelihood of receiving a Request to Submit a Business Application.
Table 3. Factors that increase your chances
Economic Benefit | Business succession |
---|---|
Age | 21 to 49 |
Spouse | Your spouse/common-law partner has one of the following:
|
Alberta relative | Relatives are defined as father, step-father, mother, step-mother, child, step-child, sister, step-sister, brother, step-brother of candidate or spouse or common-law partner |
Review the Self-Assessment Tool to ensure you meet program eligibility requirements.
The AAIP is currently accepting EOIs under the Rural Entrepreneur Stream. The information provided in the EOI, Business Proposal Summary, Net Worth Worksheet and Community Support Letter will be assessed and points will be awarded by the AAIP based on the Rural Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid. Alberta may select candidates with the highest-ranking points and request they submit a Business Application.
For more information on the application process, see How to apply.
Table 4. Rural Entrepreneur Stream Points Grid
Criteria | Descriptions | Points |
---|---|---|
Rural Factor (25 points) | ||
Business Location
(Maximum of 25 points) Mandatory requirement |
Rural Community
Community outside the Edmonton and Calgary Census Metropolitan Areas and under 100,000 population size (mandatory minimum) |
|
Tier 1: Less than 10,000 population | 25 | |
Tier 2: 10,001 to 50,000 population | 17 | |
Tier 3: 50,001 to 99,999 population | 10 |
Business Experience Factor (20 points) | ||
---|---|---|
Business owner-manager or senior management experience within the past 10 years
(Maximum of 20 points) Mandatory requirement |
Business owner-manager | |
3 to less than 4 years (mandatory minimum) | 12 | |
4 to less than 5 years | 16 | |
5 or more years | 20 | |
or Senior manager | ||
4 to less than 5 years (mandatory minimum) | 12 | |
5 to less than 6 years | 16 | |
6 or more years | 20 |
Business Establishment Factors (60 points) | ||
---|---|---|
Total Business Investment
(Maximum of 20 points) Mandatory requirement |
$200,000 to $399,999 (mandatory minimum) | 5 |
$400,000 to $599,999 | 10 | |
$600,000 to $799,999 | 15 | |
$800,000 or more | 20 | |
Net Worth
(Maximum of 10 points) Mandatory requirement |
$300,000 to $399,999 (mandatory minimum) | 6 |
$400,000 to $499,999 | 8 | |
$500,000 or more | 10 | |
Job Creation
Jobs must be created for Canadian Citizens or Permanent residents (not including relatives) for a period of at least 6 months. (Maximum of 20 points) Mandatory requirement For business succession, job creation is not mandatory; however, candidates will be awarded points for job creation. |
1 job (mandatory minimum) | 4 |
2 jobs | 8 | |
3 jobs | 12 | |
4 jobs | 16 | |
5 jobs or more | 20 | |
Business Successions
(Maximum of 10 points) Not a Mandatory requirement |
Investment to takeover an existing business | 10 |
Human Capital Factors (35 points) | ||
---|---|---|
Language Proficiency
(Maximum of 25 points) Mandatory requirement |
Proficiency in English or French: | |
CLB/NCLC 4 (4 for each Reading, Writing, Learning and Speaking) (mandatory minimum) | 15 | |
CLB/NCLC 5 (5 for each Reading, Writing, Learning and Speaking) | 20 | |
CLB/NCLC 6 or higher (6 for each Reading, Writing, Learning and Speaking) | 25 | |
Education
(Maximum of 10 points) Mandatory requirement |
High-school Diploma equivalent to Canadian standards (mandatory minimum) | 4 |
Associate Degree or Diploma (at least one year) | 7 | |
Bachelor’s degree or higher | 10 |
Adaptability Factors (35 points) | ||
---|---|---|
Canada/Alberta experience from work or studies within the past 10 years
(Maximum of 15 points) Not a mandatory requirement |
In rural Alberta | |
12 to 24 months | 10 | |
More than 24 months | 15 | |
And / Or
In non-rural Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area) |
||
18 to 30 months | 6 | |
More than 30 months | 10 | |
And / Or
In Canada |
||
24 to 36 months | 3 | |
More than 36 months | 5 | |
Relative(s) in the community or Alberta
(Maximum of 10 points) Not a mandatory requirement |
Relatives are defined as father, step-father, mother, step-mother, child, step-child, sister, step-sister, brother, step-brother of candidate or spouse/common-law partner | |
Relative(s) living in Alberta | 5 | |
or | ||
Relative(s) living in the community where you intend to reside and operate a business | 10 | |
Spouse’s/Common-law partner’s Language Proficiency or Education
(Maximum of 5 points) Not a mandatory requirement |
Proficiency in English or French: | |
CLB/NCLC 4 (4 for each Reading, Writing, Learning and Speaking) | 3 | |
CLB/NCLC 5 (5 for each Reading, Writing, Learning and Speaking) | 4 | |
CLB/NCLC 6 or higher (6 or higher for each Reading, Writing, Learning and Speaking) | 5 | |
and / or Education: | ||
Certificate, Associate Degree or Diploma (at least one year) | 3 | |
Bachelor’s degree or higher | 5 | |
Age
(Maximum of 5 points) Not a mandatory requirement |
21 to 49 | 5 |
Maximum Points | 175 |
Once the AAIP receives your Business Application, it will be assessed against eligibility criteria and your EOI Points will be verified. A Program Officer from the AAIP may contact you for more information.
The AAIP does not guarantee that all complete Business Applications received will be assessed or that all candidates who meet the assessment criteria will be issued a Business Application Approval Letter and/or nomination certificate. Review the declaration for the Rural Entrepreneur Stream available on the AAIP Portal and the Program’s Terms and Conditions for complete information. Submission of a Business Application or nomination by the AAIP does not guarantee you will be issued a permanent resident visa.
You are not eligible to apply under the Rural Entrepreneur Stream if:
Recognizing the economic contributions by foreign entrepreneurs in Alberta who currently own and operate a business in Alberta, the AAIP is providing an immigration pathway for these entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency.
Entrepreneurs who currently own and operate a business in a rural Alberta community can apply to the AAIP and must demonstrate they meet the criteria highlighted in the Rural Entrepreneur Stream Points grid at the time of EOI submission. The established business must have operated in Alberta for at least one year immediately prior to submitting an EOI in the AAIP portal. Furthermore, the Community Support letter must be included with the EOI submission.
EOI submissions will be scored based on the Rural Entrepreneur Stream Points grid and candidates with the highest-ranking points will be requested to submit a Business Application to the AAIP. Entrepreneurs who have already established businesses in rural Alberta communities and are currently operating them will not be required to operate their business for an additional one year after applying to the AAIP. Eligible entrepreneurs will be issued a nomination certificate after submitting their Business Application to the Program and must continue to operate their business in Alberta while they go through the permanent residence application process with IRCC. Refer to after you are nominated for more information on next steps.
It is your responsibility to ensure your proposed business meets the criteria for eligible businesses. If it is not an eligible business or does not clearly demonstrate a significant economic benefit to Alberta, your EOI or Business Application may be declined.
Business must have the potential for creating economic benefit to Alberta, as in the opinion of and as determined by the AAIP. A proposed business must align with the following general requirements to be eligible under the Rural Entrepreneur Stream:
Ineligible businesses include:
Connect with us if you have questions about this program:
Email: [email protected]
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