International student graduates in Alberta can now look forward to two new immigration pathways to Canada. 

On October 26, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) launched the first of their new pathways created to encourage international students to start their own businesses in the province. With these new streams, Alberta hopes the influx of international student graduates can help create more jobs and diversify the local economy.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream began on October 26, and is open to recent international graduates from post-secondary institutions and colleges in Alberta. 

The new stream operates in an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, where interested candidates must submit an EOI to the AINP in order to apply. The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream is now accepting submissions.

In order to be eligible for the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream, interested applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• At least two years of full-time education in Alberta, with a degree or diploma from a designated post-secondary learning institution in the province.
• A Post-Graduation Work Permit that is valid for at least two years at the time their EOI is submitted.
• A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least seven in all proficiencies, in either English or French
• Must be immigrating to Alberta to establish a new business or buy an existing business, and have at least 34 percent ownership of the company.
• At least six months of full-time work experience, which can be a combination of actively managing or owning the business.

Candidates who meet these requirements will be assessed by the AINP after the submission of their EOI. They will then be ranked and given a point-score. The highest-ranking candidates will then receive an invitation to submit a Business Application, also known as a Request. Candidates who have received Requests will be able to begin the process.

A number of factors can increase a candidate’s chances of being granted a request.

• The business should have an economic benefit to Alberta through job creation, investment, and developed intellectual property among others.
• Candidates ages 21 to 49 years old also have an advantage.
• If the candidate or their spouse or common law partner have immediate family living full-time in Alberta, it will also increase their chances.

The second immigration pathway is set to launch in January 2021. The Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream is open to international student graduates from top U.S. universities and colleges, who want to start a business and settle in Alberta. More details regarding the stream will be announced later. 

If you’d like to know more about Enhance Visa and our Permanent Residency pathways, register to one of our private online discussions. Register to an orientation for free here.

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