The Rural Entrepreneur Stream is designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to start a new business or purchase an existing business in a rural Alberta community.

This stream is intended for applicants who are prepared to live in a smaller Alberta community and actively manage the proposed business.

Main Requirements

To be considered under this stream, applicants must generally show that they have:

• business ownership or senior management experience;
• a minimum net worth of CAD $300,000;
• a minimum investment of CAD $100,000;
• at least CLB 4 in English or French;
• a business proposal for a participating rural Alberta community;
• a community support letter;
• the ability to own at least 51% of a new business, or 100% of an existing business if purchasing it through business succession.

If the applicant is starting a new business, the business must generally create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, not including the applicant’s family members.
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This stream may be suitable for entrepreneurs who are open to settling outside Calgary and Edmonton and who have a realistic business plan for a rural community.

The Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is available to international graduates of approved Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or purchase a business in Alberta.

This stream may be suitable for graduates who already have Canadian education in Alberta and wish to remain in the province as business owners.

Main Requirements

Applicants must generally have:

• completed at least two years of full-time study at an approved Alberta post-secondary institution;
• obtained a degree or diploma from that institution;
• a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit at the time of submitting an Expression of Interest;
• at least CLB 7 in English or French;
• a plan to start or buy a business in Alberta;
• at least 34% ownership of the proposed business.

Applicants do not necessarily need to have already started the business before submitting their Expression of Interest. However, the proposed business must be viable, active, and eligible under AAIP requirements.

Additional factors such as business experience, investment, job creation, business succession, intellectual property, and support from an incubator or investor may strengthen the profile.

The Farm Stream is intended for experienced farmers who wish to buy or start a farming business in Alberta.

This stream is focused on applicants who have a strong farming background and sufficient financial resources to establish or purchase a primary production farming business in the province.

Main Requirements

Applicants must generally demonstrate:

• farm management experience;
• sufficient financial resources to establish or purchase a farm in Alberta;
• a minimum investment of CAD $500,000 in a primary production farming business;
• a minimum net worth of CAD $500,000, or confirmation that they have access to similar funds;
• a detailed farm business plan.

The proposed farming operation should be realistic, economically viable, and aligned with Alberta’s agricultural priorities.

This stream is best suited for applicants with genuine farming experience rather than general business management experience only.

The Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is for foreign graduates who completed their education outside Canada and wish to launch an innovative start-up business in Alberta.

Applicants under this stream must work with an AAIP-approved designated agency. The designated agency reviews the proposed business idea and, if supportive, may issue a letter of recommendation.

Main Requirements

Applicants must generally have:

• completed a degree from a post-secondary institution outside Canada within the last 10 years;
• an Educational Credential Assessment confirming that the foreign degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree;
• at least six months of full-time work experience, which may include business ownership, business management, or experience with a business incubator or accelerator;
• at least CLB 5 in English or French;
• a business plan with financial projections;
• a pitch deck for the proposed business;
• a letter of recommendation from an approved designated agency;
• a letter of recommendation from an approved designated agency;

The required ownership and investment depend on where the business will be located:

This stream may be appropriate for foreign graduates with an innovative business concept who are ready to establish a start-up in Alberta.