Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream

The Alberta Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES), part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), offers qualified foreign-educated graduates the opportunity to establish innovative businesses in Alberta, leading to permanent residency in Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the FGES, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Education:

   • Possess a post-secondary degree obtained outside Canada within the last 10 years, accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) confirming its equivalence to a Canadian credential.
     
      

2. Work Experience:

   • Have a minimum of six months of full-time experience in actively managing or owning a business, or equivalent experience with a business incubator or accelerator.
     
      

3. Language Proficiency:

   • Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 5 in English or French across all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
     
      

4. Business Plan and Pitch Deck:

   • Develop a comprehensive business plan with projected financials and a 10-minute pitch deck outlining the proposed business venture.
     
      

5. Investment and Ownership:

   • Invest a minimum of CAD $100,000 if the business is located in an urban center (Calgary or Edmonton) or CAD $50,000 if outside these cities.
   • Maintain at least 34% ownership in an urban business or 51% ownership in a business outside urban centers.
     
      

6. Letter of Recommendation:

   • Obtain a Letter of Recommendation from an AAIP-designated agency after assessment of the business proposal.
     
      

7. Settlement Funds:

   • Demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members upon settling in Alberta.
     
      

Application Process

The FGES application process involves several key steps:

1. Engage with a Designated Agency:

   • Contact an AAIP-designated agency, such as Empowered Startups or Platform Calgary, to discuss your business idea and obtain a Letter of Recommendation.
     
      

2. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):

   • With the Letter of Recommendation, submit an EOI through the AAIP online portal, providing detailed information about your education, work experience, business proposal, and other relevant factors.
     
      

3. Invitation to Apply:

   • If your EOI is selected, you will receive an invitation to submit a comprehensive Business Application within 90 days.
     
      

4. Business Application Submission:

   • Submit a detailed Business Application, including the business plan, pitch deck, and other required documents, along with a non-refundable application fee of CAD $3,500.
     
      

5. Business Performance Agreement (BPA):

   • If your application is approved, sign a BPA outlining the terms and conditions for establishing and operating your business in Alberta.
     
      

6. Business Establishment and Operation:

   • Establish and operate your business in accordance with the BPA for at least 12 months, during which you must reside in Alberta.
     
      

7. Nomination for Permanent Residency:

   • After fulfilling the BPA requirements, submit a final report to the AAIP. Upon approval, you will receive a provincial nomination, allowing you to apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).