Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream: Turn Your Alberta Degree Into a Business and PR
If you studied at a publicly funded Alberta school and hold a PGWP, this AAIP stream lets you start or buy a business in Alberta and apply for permanent residence. You need CLB 7 and at least 34% of the business. We score your profile on the 125-point grid before you pay a fee.
since 1991
What is the Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream?
The Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream is an Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) pathway for international graduates of publicly funded Alberta post-secondary schools who start or buy a business in Alberta. You need at least two years of full-time study, a valid PGWP, CLB 7 and at least 34% ownership. Alberta scores your Expression of Interest out of 125 points.
What happens if your PGWP runs out too soon?
You need a valid PGWP on the day you submit your EOI, and your language results must be under 2 years old. The $200 EOI fee is non-refundable once you submit. We line up your PGWP dates, test dates and business plan before you file, so a timing mistake does not cost you a pool year.
Why Alberta graduates choose this stream
- Your Alberta education counts: two years of full-time study is the foundation of your case
- A 34% ownership minimum: lower than the 51% the Rural stream asks for a new business
- Calgary and Edmonton are allowed: a business outside both areas earns 5 bonus points
- An established-business route: run your Alberta business for 1 year first and skip the Business Performance Agreement
Is the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream right for you?
An honest check before you pay the $200 EOI fee.
A good fit if you have
- Two years of full-time study at a publicly funded Alberta school, ending in a degree or diploma
- A valid PGWP, and CLB 7 in English or French
- A business idea you will own at least 34% of
- Partners who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Consider another route if
- You studied outside Alberta or outside Canada, so the Foreign Graduate stream may fit
- Your idea is home-based, seasonal, rental, real estate or payday lending, which Alberta does not accept
- You hold an active nomination under another AAIP stream, or you have no valid temporary resident status
Another stream may fit better. Compare all four Alberta entrepreneur streams.
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream requirements
You must meet every minimum when you submit your EOI and prove each one with documents. Alberta publishes the rules on its website, and after nomination you apply for permanent residence with IRCC.
Alberta education
At least two years of full-time study that ended in a degree or diploma from a publicly funded Alberta post-secondary school. Short courses and non-credit programs do not count.
Valid PGWP
A valid Post-Graduation Work Permit on the day you submit your EOI. A study permit, visitor record or other work permit does not meet the requirement.
Language
CLB or NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Test results must be under 2 years old. Accepted tests: CELPIP, IELTS General Training, PTE, TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
Business ownership
At least 34% of a new business or one you buy. Partners must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. An established business must have operated in Alberta for at least one year.
Eligible business types
Alberta rejects home-based, seasonal, project-based, rental, real estate, payday lending and used-goods businesses, along with coin-operated and passive investment ventures.
Not sure you qualify?
Tell us your school, your PGWP end date and your business idea. We score your profile on the 125-point grid before you file.
How Alberta scores your EOI: 125 points
Business establishment: up to 75 points
Business experience up to 15 points: 6 months earns 5, over 6 months to 1 year earns 10, over 1 year earns 15. Economic benefit up to 40 points. Investment up to 20 points.
Economic benefit: up to 40 points
A business in a priority sector earns 15 points, for example energy, agriculture, technology, data, telecom, aviation, aerospace, financial services or fintech. Business succession earns 5. Jobs for citizens or PRs earn 5, 10 or 15 points for 1, 2 or 3 or more. A location outside Calgary and Edmonton earns 5.
Investment: up to 20 points
$25,000 or less earns 5 points. $25,001 to $50,000 earns 10. $50,001 to $75,000 earns 15. More than $75,000 earns 20.
Human capital: up to 25 points
Language: CLB 7 earns 5, CLB 8 earns 12 and CLB 9 or higher earns 15. Education: a bachelor’s degree or 2-year diploma earns 5, two or more credentials earn 7, and a master’s or higher earns 10.
Adaptability: up to 25 points
Age 21 to 49 earns 5 points. A spouse or partner with Alberta work, Alberta study or CLB 5 earns 10. Close relatives living in Alberta earn 10.
How you are ranked
Alberta invites the highest-scoring candidates from the pool. Meeting the minimums does not guarantee an invitation, and your EOI stays in the pool for 12 months.
Compare other routes
Graduate not the right fit? These pages cover the other Alberta streams, other business provinces and the main skilled-worker routes.
The documents behind your application
Alberta reviews every document against your EOI, so each one must match.
Business Proposal Summary
You submit it with your EOI. It explains your business idea, your location and your plan.
Net Worth Worksheet
Complete it if you will invest your own money in the business.
Business Plan Evaluation
A business plan evaluated by an AAIP-approved provider, KPMG or MNP. It is mandatory with your Business Application.
Provider Report
If AAIP asks for it, a Qualified Service Provider Report on your net worth and investment from Grant Thornton, KPMG or MNP.
Document checklist
Alberta publishes a Business Application Document Checklist. We match every item before you pay the $3,500 fee.
Want your documents checked?
We review each document against your EOI before you submit.
How the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream works, step by step
Six stages from scoring your profile to your PR application.
Score your profile
We check your education, PGWP end date, test dates and business idea against Alberta’s rules, and we score you on the 125-point grid.
Prepare your proposal and documents
Write your Business Proposal Summary, complete the Net Worth Worksheet if you will invest, and book your language test.
Submit your Expression of Interest
You have 120 days to finish it. We pay the $200 fee within 24 hours, and Alberta invites the highest-scoring candidates.
Submit your Business Application
Add a business plan evaluated by KPMG or MNP, plus a provider report if AAIP asks, and pay the $3,500 fee.
Sign your Business Performance Agreement
Sign within 14 days of receiving it. Send a Start-up Report within 30 days of your approval letter, then a progress report every 6 months.
Run the business, then get nominated
Own at least 34% and operate the business for 12 months. Send your final report, then apply to IRCC for PR. Established businesses skip the agreement.
After you are nominated
Nomination is not the finish line. Here is what Alberta and IRCC expect next.
Apply for PR
Your nomination is valid for 6 months. Submit your PR application to IRCC before it expires.
Progress report
Send AAIP a Business Progress Report within 6 months of your nomination. You have a 2-week window.
Bridging permit
Once you hold your IRCC acknowledgement of receipt, you can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit. A $100 open work permit fee applies.
205(a) letter
If a bridging permit does not suit you, request a 205(a) Letter of Support. It costs $150 and takes up to 28 days.
Extension
One nomination extension is possible for $150. Alberta must receive the request within 6 months of expiry.
Want a second set of eyes?
We track your deadlines from nomination to your PR application.
Costs and timelines
Typical costs for a single applicant, confirmed during your consultation because government fees change.
Check your Graduate stream eligibility in 2 minutes
Answer a few short questions. The tool shows whether you appear to meet the minimums. It is general guidance, not a decision.
Why clients choose Amir Ismail & Associates
35+ years of hands-on immigration experience and 25,000+ successful cases, from offices in Toronto, Dubai and Karachi. Our team includes Rijah Amir, also a licensed RCIC, so every file gets a second expert review.
Licensed expert guidance
Advice from CICC-licensed RCICs, not sales staff or unlicensed agents.
A strategy built for your profile
We identify the fastest realistic pathway for you, not a template.
Application accuracy
Documentation review that prevents costly errors and refusals.
Timely updates
We track every draw, policy shift and IRCC announcement for you.
End-to-end support
From eligibility checks to landing, we guide every step.
Proven track record
2026 Canadian Choice Award winner, trusted since 1991.
What our clients say
Real reviews from clients we have guided to Canada and beyond.
Graduate Entrepreneur Stream FAQs
What is the Alberta Graduate Entrepreneur Stream?
It is an AAIP pathway for international graduates of publicly funded Alberta post-secondary schools who start or buy a business in Alberta. After you run the business for 12 months under an agreement with Alberta, you can be nominated for permanent residence.
Do I need a valid PGWP to apply?
Yes. You must hold a valid PGWP when you submit your Expression of Interest. A study permit, visitor record or other work permit does not meet the requirement.
What language level do I need?
You need CLB or NCLC 7 in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and your test results must be under 2 years old. Higher scores earn more points: CLB 8 earns 12 points and CLB 9 or higher earns 15.
How much do I have to invest?
The published requirements list no fixed minimum. Investment earns up to 20 points, from 5 points at $25,000 or less to 20 points above $75,000.
How many points can I score?
The maximum is 125 points. Alberta invites the highest-scoring candidates from the pool, and meeting the minimums does not guarantee an invitation.
What does the stream cost?
An EOI costs $200 and the Business Application costs $3,500, and both are non-refundable. An agreement change, a 205(a) letter or a nomination extension costs $150 each, and a reconsideration request costs $250.
Can I open my business in Calgary or Edmonton, or run one already?
Yes to both. A location outside Calgary and Edmonton earns 5 bonus points. If you already run an Alberta business that has operated for at least one year before your EOI, you are scored on the same grid and do not sign a Business Performance Agreement.
How do I get started with Amir Ismail and Associates?
Book a Strategy Consultation. In 30 minutes we score your profile, check your PGWP and test dates and give you a written plan.